Two different MBAs on the cards

Fears in South Africa that the academic status of an MBA degree could be officially considered no better than an honours degree or postgraduate diploma appear to have been overcome, writes David Furlonger for the Financial Mail. But business schools are split over recommendations that would demand higher entry standards for students but also give them the choice of a less academically demanding programme.

Schools rebelled last year on learning that the Council on Higher Education (CHE) had suggested the MBA was not worthy of the ‘masters’ name. Officials argued that entry levels were too low and research requirements not sufficiently challenging.

CHE CEO Ahmed Essop says the council has agreed on a compromise with the sector's representative body, the South African Business Schools’ Association. Under the proposals, MBA students must have at least an honours degree, postgraduate diploma or four-year bachelor degree; or they can qualify through recognition of prior learning. Each school will then have the choice of two MBAs – an academic and a professional one.
Full report on the Financial Mail site