Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is to address the pressing problems on a national level in terms of job creation. The design of the qualification provides learners such as middle and senior managers and owners of small to medium-size enterprises/businesses (SMEs), with general business management tools. This includes the growing/scaling of SMEs, ethical business practices and the use of technology to enhance business performance (4IR), personal development, self-management, soft management and critical thinking in the South African and African context. This specialist knowledge will not only advance participant's careers and provide promotion opportunities, but it will also provide access to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other relevant qualification on master's level.

Rationale

This qualification has shown, as a result of marketplace research, to be pivotal as a key qualification to serve as a feeder qualification to provide access to the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Consultation to verify the justification for the introduction of this qualification was obtained by stakeholder engagement through focus group surveys with industry representatives and potential learners. Benchmark research reflecting similar qualifications on offer at competitor institutions also substantiated the rationale for this new qualification.

The South African Business School Association, an affiliate member organisation that serves as a collective custodian of all matters about business schools in South Africa is in full support of business schools offering Postgraduate Diplomas that will allow for the widening of access to the MBA in South Africa. This qualification will broaden access to business education within South Africa and Africa. It will contribute to the growth of employment opportunities in the country by equipping senior managers and business owners in small and medium-sized (SMEs) businesses to grow sustainably.

Typical learners identified as best served by this qualification would be individuals employed in SMEs, senior managers in similar organisations, and SME owners themselves, who all want to make an impact in terms of assisting to grow and scale the businesses for which they work or own, across all sectors of industry. The qualification will educate and train learners who can contribute to the development of their advanced professional employment and self-employment, with the capacity to be critically aware and provide innovative management in the field of Business Administration. The occupations in which learners would operate would-be managers of different varieties across all business sectors, including consultants and entrance level business / organisational management professionals.

The benefit to the learner is that they will grow in competence concerning contributing to running an SME, thereby advancing their professional careers. This benefits society in that the qualification will specifically seek to grow and scale small to medium size businesses and as such will serve to add value to society and business at large by providing specific management skills to this specific size of business. The impact on society is through the inordinately high potential that SMEs have to create employment. In terms of the economy, this is critical in contributing to solve South Africa's widening unemployment challenge and economic inequality as a society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

Prospective learners may apply for RPL by following the institution procedures.

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty.

RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements

• is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience
• is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level
• takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification
• is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee and is finally decided upon by the Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7

Or

• Relevant Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• People Management, 10 Credits
• Competitive Strategy: Winning in the Market Place, 10 Credits
• Accounting and Financial Management, 10 Credits
• ICT Driven Decision-Making in the 4th Industrial Revolution, 10 Credits
• Operations and Supply Chain Management, 10 Credits
• Economics and International Business, 10 Credits
• Personal Development, 10 Credits
• Marketing for Growth, 10 Credits
• Entrepreneurship with a Growth Mind-set, 10 Credits
• Business Law, Ethics and Sustainability, 10 Credits
• E-business and Innovation Strategies, 10 Credits
• Business Acumen, Business Models and Growing the Business, 10 Credits

1. Interrogate a comparative range of management frameworks for small and medium-sized businesses and their applicability to South Africa and African contexts.
2. Evaluate and apply a broad range of conceptual and analytical fields within management such as economics, strategy, marketing, financial management, operations and supply chain management, technology, entrepreneurship, international business and business acumen.
3. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
4. Identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to business administration practice.
5. Plan and present research information in a range of written and oral modes and genres appropriate to the audience.
6. Apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies that effectively address professional and ongoing learning needs and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others to enhance people management and self-management skills.
7. Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts
8. Apply decision-making and use of resources, and take full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss and apply complex management theory, holistic management and managerial diversity.
• Scan the environment and select and apply appropriate theoretical frameworks and diagnostic tools that support responsible management.
• Evaluate and apply specialised knowledge on the networked economy and in particular 4th Industrial Revolution.
• Analyse and apply economic, social, political and environmental trends to mitigate risks and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Apply strategic thinking about the purpose of small business and companies' relationships with shareholders and stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Analyse and apply theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to key disciplines of business.
• Analyse and apply the principles of financial accounting for control and decision-making.
• Develop a framework, identify methods and procedures for the modern macroeconomy and the consequences of an intervention on a small business.
• Analyse and address complex or abstract problems and apply a global mindset when solving business problems.
• Operate effectively within a system, or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the medium-size business enterprise.
• Evaluate the impact of key performance measures on the control aspect of an enterprise.
• Apply strategic decision-making competencies based on combined critical thinking and evidence-based skill.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop and consolidate information gathering, presentation, and team-working skills to apply management theory in business practice.
• Integrate theory to address managerial operational problems on both a strategic and a situational.
• Apply key business information is accessed and relevant critical thinking and problem-solving skills to problem solve.
• Select and apply tools and skills to facilitate decision-making related to small to medium-size issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate and apply business models to illustrate the purpose and function of an organisation to enhance business performance.
• Analyse and apply solutions appropriate for the different developmental stages of the business

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct and present a research study on topical issues in the business administration field.
• Present and communicate academic or professional compelling information either orally or in written form to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify and evaluate people management policies and practices for use in organisations to address Diversity and the need for inclusion.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with various stakeholders with whom they engage.
• Identify personal strengths and weaknesses and apply new learnings to improve personal mastery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Develop legally compliant principles related to business practice.
• Apply ethical considerations to all decisions both short and long-term.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Show proficiency at delivering outputs requiring teamwork or syndicated results.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will combine formative and summative assessment that is aligned to the exit level outcomes. All modules are continuously assessed. In core modules, learners are awarded a composite grade based on performance in individual and/or group projects and summative examinations.

The learners are required to exhibit proficiency in a range of mathematical, analytical and verbal assignments designed to test their knowledge.

The calculation criteria are

• Minimum required for Examination Admission - 40%
• Pass mark per module required - 50%
• Summative assessment per module - 50%