MBL teach out plan

Following regulatory changes to the qualification framework, the SBL obtained accreditation from the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to offer the Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree on level 9 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF) from 2017. The purpose of this announcement is to inform you of the teach-out plan of the MBL Programme that you are currently registered for.

As background, the Higher Education Qualification Framework (HEQF), which was promulgated in October 2007, provided for the establishment of a single qualification framework for higher education institutions in order to facilitate the development of a single national coordinated higher education system. The revised Higher Education Sub-Framework (HEQSF) was promulgated in August 2013 and provides the basis for integrating all higher education qualifications into the NQF. In 2008 the NQF Act brought about the new changes in the NQF levels. This resulted in an increase in the NQF levels to ten from the previous eight. Following this, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) were requested to align their qualifications to the revised HEQSF.

As a comprehensive distance learning university, Unisa has revised all its qualifications in the light of the HEQSF. This has resulted in changes to qualifications currently being offered, the phasing out of some existing qualifications and the introduction of new qualifications. The SBL, along with other members of the South African Business Schools Association (SABSA), approached the CHE on behalf of the business schools, with a request that the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MBL degrees be re-aligned to be offered on NQF level 9 and that the MBA be classified as a professional degree. Prior to 2016, all MBA and MBL degrees offered in South Africa were pegged at NQF level 8.

This required the re-curriculation of the programmes that included a rigorous peer evaluation process. The SBL submitted two new qualifications (i.e. MBL and MBA) and obtained accreditation for both programmes as they met the criteria and minimum standards for accreditation by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) that grants the accreditation status to programmes.  As a result, the MBL qualification currently offered by the SBL is being phased out and replaced by the recurriculated MBL qualification, aligned to the Revised Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework. The following table summarises the teach-out phases and measures that will be implemented during the teach-out period:

Students currently registered for the NQF level 8 MBL programme will continue with this programme and exit with an MBL qualification at NQF level 8. Whilst the modules may be common across the current and new MBL programmes they are not equivalent as the admission requirements, content, and the research requirements, differ. The current qualification remains a relevant and a qualification of choice in South Africa and beyond. Kindly refer to the list of frequently asked questions in Annexure 1.   Students currently enrolled in the MBL degree may transfer their studies to the newly introduced MBA or MBL. Applications will only be considered if admission criteria are met as outlined in the qualification brochures. If a student considers this option, he/she is required to apply and register for the degree. Automatic exemptions apply to the following modules:

To qualify for the exemption of modules, you are required to complete a DSAR04 form. The completed form must be submitted as part of your registration documents. To conclude, the SBL is determined to provide you with the necessary support to enable you to complete the MBL qualification within the allocated period. Frequently asked questions