Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to empower learners with the necessary competencies (knowledge, values and skills) to analyse, synthesise and apply relevant information in business organisations. Relevant information refers to economics; making informed business decisions; stakeholders for business alignment based on stakeholder needs; value chains for integrated value to be achieved and financial statements for financial analyses and decision-making. The analysis, synthesis and application imply structuring and putting information together for purposes of decision-making and decision implementation. It goes hand in hand with conceptual, entrepreneurial and rejuvenating thinking, personal growth, the development of insight and foresight and the development and application of leadership skills in workplace and societal situations. With well established competencies, learners can contribute to developing high performance businesses to the well-being of communities and societies. The programme also provides an opportunity for participants to integrate knowledge from various functional areas in their practice.

Rationale

This qualification is intended to bridge the gap for graduates from other fields who would like to register for a Masters degree in business administration or leadership, but who do not have the requisite foundational knowledge and skills from their formal qualifications. It intends to develop the ability of students to apply managerial competencies in workplace situations. It focuses on application that relates to decision making and resolving problems. It also aims to develop leadership styles that establish vital managerial competencies in others.

The qualification is intended for students with no or limited economic or management knowledge, but who hold a Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution in other fields such as Geology or Pharmacy and who are occupying managerial positions in the field of business. The rationale of the Postgraduate Diploma is to bring the knowledge and business understanding of these students on par with those who have completed a Bachelor's Degree with a management focus.

The pathway within which this qualification falls starts with a first degree and ends at NQF Level 10 with the Doctor: Business Leadership (DBL). This qualification is intended to provide students with the required conceptual knowledge for entering the Masters: Business Administration or the Masters: Business Leadership.

The careful selection of the modules for the Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration makes it an interdisciplinary programme that better prepares students to function efficiently as managers of businesses. All modules are compulsory.

This qualification is intended to contribute positively to the development of skilled, competent, efficient and value-adding managers of business. Efficiently managed businesses will contribute positively to the economy of the country and the continent.

It is assumed that candidates for this programme will possess the following

• A well-rounded and systematic knowledge base in the main areas of at least one area of Business Administration.
• A coherent and critical understanding of key terms, rules, concepts; established principles and theories applicable to business administration in general.
• An ability to solve well-defined but unfamiliar problems using correct procedures and appropriate evidence.
• An ability to provide a critical analysis and synthesis of information.
• An ability to present information using information technology.
• An ability to present and communicate information coherently and reliably, using academic/professional discourse conventions and formats appropriately.
• A capacity to evaluate their learning and identify their learning needs within a structured learning environment.
• A capacity to take the initiative to address these learning needs.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The UNISA's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning may be applied where required. For UNISA, the general statutes require students to complete 50% of a qualification at the certificating institution so students may receive Recognition of Prior Learning credit towards a qualification up to 50%. Therefore only part of the programme may be completed through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Assessors will assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

Any credits obtained if a student decides not to continue with a qualification will be recorded on the student system. Should the student wish to transfer these credits to another institution or qualification, he/she may apply to that institution for credit. Should the student wish to re-enter the UNISA system within a reasonable time as dictated by the university's policy, these credits may be used towards the relevant qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to gain access to the qualification by the students who do not meet the minimum requirements.

Access to the Qualification

• The minimum requirement for admission to the programme is a three year 360 credit Bachelors degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 7.
• The additional requirement is at least two years' managerial experience.
• Access to a computer with Internet connection is also required.

All the modules are at NQF Level 8, and are worth 12 credits each except for the last one which is worth 24 credits: All modules are compulsory.

Modules

• Economics for Managers.
• Global Business Environment.
• Stakeholder Management.
• Decision Support Systems for Managers.
• Value Chain Management.
• Leadership and Organisational Behaviour.
• Accounting for Managers.
• Information and Knowledge Management.
• Integrated Management Practice.

The following Exit Level Outcomes have been defined

• Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of economics, decision making, value chain management, leadership and organisational behaviour and accounting.
• Make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence to improve business operations.
• Identify, analyse and address complex and real problems in business administration by drawing on theory provided in various areas of specialisation.
• Apply knowledge of and insight into the theory and practice of business administration in general to complex and real-life problems.
• Plan and implement appropriate business strategies using a range of specialised skills, knowledge, techniques and technologies relevant to business administration.
• Operate a business effectively in complex, ill-defined contexts such as the global business environment.
• Manage and self-assess learning tasks autonomously, professionally, responsibly and ethically with due consideration of own continued academic growth and development.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

The following set of generic assessment criteria apply to the qualification as a whole

• Current research and multiple sources of scholarly or professional literature are reviewed, critiqued and evaluated in an intellectually independent manner and sound theoretical judgements are made and presented by using well-reasoned, theory-driven and evidence-based arguments.
• Identification of needs and opportunities in real-life situations related to business administration is accurately done and appropriate strategies for solutions devised.
• Complex problems related to the areas of specialisation are accurately identified, critically reviewed and evaluated and interpreted by taking into consideration the economic, socio-political and legal contexts, including governance and ethics.
• Standard procedures, processes or techniques to theoretically deal with or empirically investigate unfamiliar complex, abstract or real-life world problems in a particular area of specialisation are appropriately applied.
• Theoretical, quantitative and qualitative data and information are analysed and interpreted using well-rounded, theory-driven and evidence-based arguments and critical self-reflection.
• Judgements and conclusions are based on information and data and are clearly communicated using the resources of an academic/professional discourse appropriately, reliably and accurately.
• Critical self-assessment reflects an awareness of taking responsibility for own activities, ethical behaviour and continued personal development in the fields of business administration and management.
• Reasoning, viewpoints, insights and ideas reflect an acceptable social sensitivity in own relationship and interaction with others in work and in, business administration and other managerial work environments.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments should be conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the UNISA Assessment Policy.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to engage in business administration in an integrative way, dealing with divergent and "random" demands related to the operations of the business world, effectively.

The submission of one multiple choice assignment per module during February/March is compulsory to gain admission to the examination. This requirement is not negotiable. Two assignments need to be completed per module, the first one contributing 30% and the second one 70% to the year mark.

One two-hour examination for each module is written. Alternatively, a portfolio assessment can be conducted. The mark obtained for the examination constitutes the students' examination mark which contributes 60% to their final mark.

To pass a module, students must achieve a final mark of at least 50%. To pass a module with distinction, students must achieve a final mark of at least 75%. To obtain the qualification with distinction, students must achieve an average final mark of at least 75% for all the modules.