VAE Pathway

Your experience. Assessed, documented and verifiable.

Professional experience develops knowledge, judgement and practical expertise. SABI University's Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) Pathway enables experienced professionals to document that learning and submit it for structured academic assessment.

The pathway offers Executive Certificates, Undergraduate Diplomas, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Diplomas and the Postdoctoral Fellowship, according to the candidate's qualifications, experience and evidence.

These are standalone, non-degree credentials. Each award depends on demonstrating the required learning outcomes through verifiable evidence and satisfactory assessment.

Find the qualification that matches your background

Executive Certificate

Intended candidates

Professionals seeking focused recognition in a defined area of business, management or leadership

Normal entry requirements

Relevant experience and evidence meeting the requirements of the selected certificate

Undergraduate Diploma in Business

Intended candidates

Experienced professionals seeking formal assessment of their practical business knowledge

Normal entry requirements

At least six years of relevant, documented professional experience

Graduate Diploma in Business

Intended candidates

Managers, business owners and executives with substantial management responsibility

Normal entry requirements

A valid bachelor's degree and at least four years of documented managerial experience

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research

Intended candidates

Experienced professionals who can demonstrate advanced analytical and research capabilities

Normal entry requirements

Valid bachelor's and master's degrees, together with substantial relevant professional or research experience

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Intended candidates

Holders of an earned doctorate with substantial research beyond their doctoral work

Normal entry requirements

A valid earned doctorate and a verifiable portfolio of subsequent research

Meeting the entry requirements establishes eligibility for assessment. The Committee determines whether the submitted evidence satisfies the requirements of the selected award.

Executive Certificates

Focused recognition of professional expertise

Executive Certificates recognise demonstrated competencies in a specific area of business, management or leadership.

They are intended for professionals who can provide evidence of relevant responsibilities, practical achievements and informed decision-making.

Depending on the selected certificate, evidence may include:

  • Business ownership or management responsibilities;

  • Operational improvements;

  • Leadership and team development;

  • Brand development and customer experience;

  • Business expansion or organisational change; and

  • Documented commercial or organisational results.

Each certificate has its own experience requirements and assessment criteria.

Award: The designated SABI University Executive Certificate.

Executive Certificates are non-degree credentials. They do not confer a professional licence or authority to practise a regulated occupation.

Undergraduate Diploma in Business

Recognise the business learning developed through your career

The Undergraduate Diploma in Business is intended for experienced professionals who can demonstrate broad practical understanding of how businesses operate.

Normal entry requirements: a high school diploma or secondary school certificate; and at least six years of relevant, documented professional experience.

Candidates should demonstrate learning in areas such as:

  • Business operations and planning;

  • Customers, marketing and service delivery;

  • Financial awareness and resource management;

  • People, teamwork and workplace responsibilities;

  • Business problem-solving; and

  • Responsible professional conduct.

The assessment considers what the candidate understands, how that understanding has been applied and what evidence supports the claimed achievements.

Award: Undergraduate Diploma in Business.

This is a standalone diploma. A bachelor's degree is not required for consideration under this route.

Graduate Diploma in Business

Document your management knowledge and judgement

The Graduate Diploma in Business is intended for managers, business owners and executives whose responsibilities require them to integrate business knowledge and make decisions affecting organisational performance.

Normal entry requirements: a valid, verifiable bachelor's degree; and at least four years of documented managerial experience.

Candidates should demonstrate substantial responsibility in areas such as:

  • Managing people, teams or business functions;

  • Financial oversight and resource allocation;

  • Operations and performance improvement;

  • Marketing, customers and commercial development;

  • Strategic planning and implementation; and

  • Organisational change, governance and risk.

The portfolio must explain the candidate's personal contribution, the reasoning behind significant decisions and the results achieved.

Award: Graduate Diploma in Business.

This is a standalone diploma and does not confer a master's degree.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research

Demonstrate advanced analysis and research capability

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research recognises demonstrated capabilities in investigating business problems, evaluating evidence and developing defensible conclusions.

Normal entry requirements: valid, verifiable bachelor's and master's degrees; and substantial relevant professional or research experience supported by documentary evidence.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:

  • Define a significant business or management problem;

  • Evaluate relevant literature and existing knowledge;

  • Select and justify an appropriate research approach;

  • Collect, interpret and critically evaluate evidence;

  • Address research ethics and confidentiality;

  • Recognise limitations; and

  • Present well-supported findings and recommendations.

Relevant evidence may include research manuscripts, strategic investigations, business transformation studies, analytical reports or other substantial professional work.

Existing work must be accompanied by a commentary explaining the candidate's personal contribution, methods, evidence, findings and limitations. Commercial success alone does not establish research competence.

Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research.

This is a standalone diploma and does not confer a doctorate or entitlement to use the title “Dr”.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Recognition of research beyond an earned doctorate

The Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for doctorate holders who have undertaken substantial research beyond the work submitted for their doctoral qualification.

Normal entry requirements: valid, verifiable bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.

Applicants submit a research portfolio and analytical commentary explaining:

  • The research questions and their significance;

  • The applicant's personal contribution;

  • The methods and evidence used;

  • The findings, limitations and contribution; and

  • How the work extends beyond the applicant's doctoral research.

The Committee may request clarification, additional evidence, a presentation or responses to academic questions.

Award: Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The fellowship is a non-degree research credential. It does not constitute an additional doctorate, employment or a funded research appointment.

How assessment works

  • 1

    Select your intended award. Review the eligibility and evidence requirements for the certificate, diploma or fellowship that best matches your background. Admissions may recommend a different award where your evidence is more closely aligned with its requirements.

  • 2

    Complete the interactive application. Provide your identity details, qualifications, professional history, responsibilities, achievements and supporting documents. The application may ask follow-up questions based on the information you submit.

  • 3

    Submit your evidence for review. The University reviews the completeness, relevance and credibility of the submission. Records may be verified with awarding institutions, employers, businesses, professional references or other appropriate sources.

  • 4

    Complete any additional assessment. The Committee may require written explanations or reflective commentary, additional documents or achievement cases, an analytical report or research submission, a recorded presentation, written or recorded responses to questions, or an online interview. Any additional requirements are communicated to the candidate.

  • 5

    Receive the academic decision. The Committee may approve the award, request further evidence or supplementary work, or determine that the required standard has not been demonstrated. An award is conferred only after all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

Eligibility, academic assessment and award decisions are made by authorised University personnel and the Assessment Committee.

Prepare your evidence

Applications normally require:

  • Government-issued identification;

  • A detailed, current CV;

  • Academic certificates and records required for the selected award;

  • Evidence of professional roles and responsibilities;

  • Documented achievements and supporting records;

  • Relevant projects, reports, research or publications;

  • Verification contacts or references, where required; and

  • A declaration confirming accuracy, authenticity and authorship.

For collaborative work, identify your personal contribution. Disclose any material previously submitted for another qualification.

Sensitive business information may be appropriately redacted, provided sufficient evidence remains available for assessment.

The role of artificial intelligence

The interactive application may use AI to organise information, extract details from documents, prepare summaries and identify questions requiring clarification.

Applicants remain responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of their submissions.

Eligibility, academic assessment and award decisions are made by authorised University personnel and the Assessment Committee.

Fees

Executive Certificate

Processing fee

CAD 1,000

Undergraduate Diploma in Business

Processing fee

CAD 3,000

Graduate Diploma in Business

Processing fee

CAD 4,000

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research

Processing fee

CAD 5,000

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Processing fee

CAD 6,000

Fees apply separately to each award. Payment does not guarantee conferral; all eligibility, evidence and assessment requirements must be satisfied.

Applicable payment and refund terms are provided before payment. Any optional services or additional charges are confirmed separately in writing.

All fees are in Canadian dollars.

Your award, verifiable online

Successful candidates receive the documents applicable to their award, including:

  • An official award certificate;

  • A verifiable e-certificate;

  • A Record of Validation describing the learning assessed;

  • An academic or assessment record appropriate to the award; and

  • A QR-linked SABI Alumni Badge connecting to their official credential profile.

Each award has its own credential identifier and status. Where an individual holds several SABI credentials, these can be accessed through one consolidated profile.

The University's online verification system enables employers, institutions and other interested parties to confirm the award directly against SABI's official record.

Visit the Credential Verification Portal

Verification confirms issuance by SABI University. Acceptance for employment, further study or other purposes depends on the receiving organisation's requirements.

Available to applicants worldwide

Applications, portfolio assessment and any required interview or presentation can be completed online without travel or relocation.

Supporting documents may be submitted in different languages. English summaries may be prepared for review, and certified translations may be requested where necessary.

Assessment time depends on the completeness of the portfolio, external verification and any additional work required.

Academic integrity

The University may verify qualifications, employment, professional responsibilities, research and claimed achievements.

False or materially misleading information, unverifiable claims, plagiarism or misrepresentation of authorship may result in rejection or withdrawal of an award. Before withdrawal, the recipient is informed of the grounds and given an opportunity to respond.

Each credential must be described using its exact issued title and scope.

Take the next step

Identify the experience and achievements you can document, review the requirements of your intended award and begin your application.

Contact Admissions admissions@sabiuniversity.com

Awards depend on meeting the eligibility, evidence and assessment requirements of the selected qualification. Recognition and acceptance of any qualification rest with the receiving organisation under its own policies.