Course starts January 2022
Application closes November 2022
USB’s MBA has been designed to turn managers, professionals, specialists and entrepreneurs into responsible leaders, expert decision makers, strategic thinkers, effective communicators and stewards of society. If you are aiming towards senior management positions and leadership roles, this programme will prepare you for this. The Full-time MBA is completed over one year.
It includes two tours: the International Study Module at a business school abroad and the South African Academic Tour – both with company visits and cultural activities. (The Modular and Blended Learning programme only include the International Study Module.)
Application closes
South African students: 15 November 2022
ARPL applicants: 31 October 2022
Students from SADC countries: 31 October 2022
Students from rest of world: 31 October 2022
YEAR 1 4 terms
Term 1 15 January – 20 March
Term 2 30 March – 12 June
Term 3 06 July – 11 September
Term 4 28 September – 09 October
Elective Week 16 – 21 November
Admission Requirements
To apply for the generalist MBA programme you must meet the following requirements:
The South African Council on Higher Education has raised the entry requirements of the mebel jepara
programme in South Africa. Students applying for this programme are now required to have one of the
following qualifications on NQF level 8:
4-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 8) and at least 3 years of relevant full-time working experience
OR Honours degree (NQF level 8), plus 3 years of relevant full-time working experience
OR 3-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) plus a postgraduate diploma (NQF level 8) and at least 3 years of relevant working experience
The working experience should preferably be on managerial level. Also note that USB’s one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration (NQF level 8 with 120 credits) is aimed at preparing students for the Masters in Business Administration.
Other requirements:
Mathematics at NNS (Grade 12) level or equivalent
A comprehensive CV
2 essays, showing the candidate’s level of motivation and working experience
Satisfactory selection test results for either the SHL or GMAT selection tests
International students require a SAQA evaluation certificate to evaluate your degree according to South African standards. In this regard please contact SAQA at saqainfo@saqa.org.za
Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning
SB provides wider access to its programmes through its Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) process. In line with the requirements of the Council for Higher Education (CHE), USB may admit up to 10% of its student body under ARPL. Candidates who wish to be admitted under the ARPL policy will firstly have to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students. In addition, prospective Masters in Business Administration students have to adhere to the following:
Have at least an NQF 6 qualification.
Have at least SIX years of working experience after obtaining the above-mentioned qualification, of which at least THREE years should have been in a management or related professional position.
Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information on activities outside the work environment.
Provide USB with at least two references (typically current or former line heads) who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities. These references will be required to give a detailed personal reference about the candidate on forms provided by USB.
Next, USB’s Admissions Committee (head of the programme and another academic) will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate.
If the Committee is of the opinion that the candidate has the ability to cope with the demands of the Masters in Business Administration programme, he/she may be admitted.
A recommendation of admission is sent via USB’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
Note that ARPL candidates need to apply by 31 October each year to allow sufficient time for the assessment process.
USB MBA Bursary Application
USB’s Bursary Scheme provides partial bursaries and financial assistance to a number of deserving students who have been admitted to the MBA full-time programme.
Only students who have been accepted onto the MBA full-time programme may apply for a bursary.
All the bursaries will be awarded on academic merit.
Applicants from previously disadvantaged groups (in the case of South Africans) will be given preference.
Applicants must provide evidence of financial need and not be recipients of any other form of study sponsorship (e.g. from their companies).
Further terms and conditions apply to each bursary.
Every application will be treated in the strictest confidence
For more details on how to apply for bursaries, contact Marie Willows on 021 918 4230 or at mba@usb.ac.za.
The closing date for bursary applications is November 2022.