| Founder(s) | Lyndon Jones, Founder Chairman[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional membership body and an examination board |
| Founded | 1973 in England, UK |
| Location | England |
| Key people | Mrs. Christine Gill, Deputy Chief Executive |
| Area served | Business Education |
| Focus | Business, Management |
| Website | www.abeuk.com |
| Subsidiaries |
The Association of Business Executives South Africa |
|---|
The Association of Business Executives (ABE) is a professional membership body and an examination board.[2][3]
ABE works with over 500 accredited colleges in 70 countries worldwide to deliver Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma level qualifications.[2][3]
Thousands of students are currently working towards an ABE qualification and many of them will use their qualification as an affordable, fast-track route to a globally recognised bachelor’s degree. ABE graduates with the right work experience can progress directly to a Master's degree or an MBA programme.[2][3]
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ABE was founded by a group of politicians, educators and businessmen in 1973. It specialises in business qualifications and now has colleges, students and members in over 100 countries.[4]
Its current President is Edward de Bono, a leading authority on lateral thinking.[4]
ABE qualifications can be obtained locally or through self study and give entry to the second and final years of bachelor degree programmes at universities around the world. With relevant work experience students can fast track to an MBA.[5]
ABE provides qualifications in six areas: 'Business Management,' 'Business Information Systems', 'Financial Management', 'Human Resource Management', 'Marketing' and 'Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management'. All qualifications are available at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level. Business Management is also available at Postgraduate Diploma level. All ABE qualifications are listed on the UK's Register of Regulated Qualifications.[6][7][8]
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and is equivalent to Level 7 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).[9]
The qualification provides a route for students to gain advanced entry to a Masters degree/MBA program at the universities in UK, Australia, Canada and other countries.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management has been developed by senior university professors, utilising current academic learning and research, as well as employer knowledge and practice.[9]
The qualification is an ideal progression route for those who are currently studying professional qualifications and wish to proceed to a Masters degree in business/management or have a related Honours degree but wish to proceed to a Masters level business/management qualification and are in employment, at managerial level, and wish to achieve a Masters level qualification.[9]
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management comprises of five units: 1. Strategic Business Management and Planning 2. Management of Financial Resources and Performance 3. Leadership, Change and People Performance 4. Corporate Strategy, Governance and Ethics in the Global Environment 5. Research Methods and their Application to Marketing
One unit – Strategic Business Management and Planning – will be assessed by a written three-hour examination. The remaining four units will EACH be assessed by an assignment of 3,500 words. To pass the unit, it requires a pass mark of 40% or above. There is no limit as to how many times a candidate sits for an examination, nor is there a limit to the number of assignments submitted, or when they can be submitted.[9]
A student must fulfill at least one of the following criteria to be allowed entry into the programme:[9] 1. Possession of ABE’s Graduated Diploma, Advanced Diploma in Business Management 2. Possession of a Graduated Diploma, Advanced Diploma in another ABE programmes 3. Possession of an honours degree in a related subject 4. Possession of a level 6 qualification from another internationally recognised awarding organisation 5. Five years’ senior management experience
The first level is Student Member, for those who are studying for an ABE qualification and the second level is Associate Member which is for those who have completed their Diploma or Advanced Diploma studies. Associate Members can use the letters AMABE after their name to demonstrate their level of attainment. The next level is Full Member, of which Diploma holders with four years' managerial experience are eligible, as are Advanced Diploma holders with two years' managerial experience. Members may use the letters MABE after their name. The highest level of membership is Fellow. To become a Fellow, a further four years of management experience are required, plus a clear commitment to ABE. The minimum age for a Fellow is 30 and the ABE Council considers each application. Fellows are allowed to use the letters FABE after their name to show their level of achievement.[10]
ABE qualifications are recognised by colleges, universities, employers and ministries around the world.[5]
ABE is recognised as an awarding body by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, the UK qualifications regulator and the equivalent bodies worldwide in the countries where it operates.
There are exemption arrangements with other professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA and BCS to save the students time and recognise their previous qualifications.[5]
United Kingdom
Students who have successfully completed ABE Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDIPBM) consisting of specified modules are eligible to apply for University of Worcester International MBA Top-Up course.[11]
The Association of Business Executives (ABE) - U.K. programs have been introduced for the first time in Jaffna which is emerging from decades of long war. To mark the launch a seminar was held at the Jaffna Central College on 31 October 2010. It was organized by the Sri Lanka branch of the ABE (UK).[12]