University of Stellenbosch Business School

The USB’s MBA
The University of Stellenbosch Business School’s MBA is known for its strong emphasis on critical thinking skills, leadership and applicability in a multi-cultural environment. In short, the USB’s MBA is uniquely African and internationally accredited. Classes are presented in English.

WHY CHOOSE THE USB MBA?
• To acquire an internationally accredited MBA: EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB
• To ‘future-proof’ your career: The USB emphasises the development of a resilient thinking style. This, combined with analytical and strategic skills, will help you to respond to the unexpected.
• To become a competent leader: The comprehensive Leadership module, which spans the entire MBA, covers personal leadership, group leadership, organisational leadership and societal leadership.
• To operate in any industry, anywhere in the world: The USB has positioned itself as the knowledge partner of the world in Africa, and of Africa in the world. Hence, the MBA has a local, African and global focus.
• To obtain international exposure: Students benefit from the USB’s partnership agreements with over 80 international business schools. The compulsory International Module at an overseas school offers further exposure.
• To become a caring citizen: Engaging positively with societal issues is made real through hands-on case studies and the MBA’s strong focus on sustainability, social responsibility, ethics and corporate citizenship.
• To undertake quality research: The research report adds depth to your learning experience and contributes to business knowledge.

International acknowledgment and memberships
• Beyond Grey Pinstripes Top 100 Schools List
• EDUNIVERSAL: One of top 3 business schools in Africa
• QS Business School ranking: One of top 3 in Africa
• European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA)
• The EFMD’s Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI)
• The UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME),
• Global Business School Network (GBSN)
• Leading business school associations: AACSB, EFMD, CEEMAN, AABS, SABSA

International exposure
At the USB, international exposure plays an important part in producing well-rounded managers and leaders who will be able to operate anywhere in the world. The USB uses various strategies to ensure first-hand experience of global business.
• Full-time study for foreign students: Interaction between local and foreign MBA students helps to broaden the outlook of all students. Options include the full-time MBA, modular MBA, other master’s degrees and other full-term or shorter-term options. Foreign students fly in to do the modular MBA (blocks of classes spread over 3 years), finding this convenient and more cost-effective than attending their local schools with similar international accreditations.
• Exchange study options for foreign MBA students: Exchange studies offer foreign students the opportunity to earn credits towards their home university’s MBA by doing a part of their studies at another school. Exchange students typically stay for three weeks to six months while they remain registered at their home university.
• International study programmes at the USB: The USB offers specially designed programmes with case studies for visiting groups of MBA students. These programmes focus on South African areas of expertise – such as diversity management, sustainability management, ICT and innovation for Africa, and economics for emerging countries, using scenarios to develop alternative futures, leadership and organisational culture, and innovating business models (the latter applied mostly to the wine industry).

Creating and sharing our ‘thoughtprint’
The USB creates thought leadership – we call it the USB Thoughtprint – through its research centres (for leadership studies, corporate governance, futures studies, dispute settlement and business at the base of the income pyramid), academic discussions, conferences, a research fellowship programme and the research undertaken by its faculty members and students. The USB shares its thoughtprint on platforms such as its monthly Leader’s Angle talks, practitioner publications and academic journals.

Portfolio of academic programmes
Over and above the MBA, the USB offers MPhil degrees in Management Coaching and Futures Studies, a PhD, postgraduate diplomas in Dispute Settlement, Leadership and Project Management, and certificate courses in executive development. In addition, the USB offers an MPhil and PhD in Development Finance.

Social engagement
The USB's social impact initiative is aimed at sustainable human development through its academic, research and other activities. On the MBA, engaging positively with societal issues is made real through hands-on case studies and the programme’s strong focus on sustainability, social responsibility, ethics and corporate citizenship. The social-impact initiatives of the School itself include a Small Business Academy, a subsidised Management Programme for Non-profit Organisations organised by USB alumni, bursaries for financially challenged and historically disadvantaged USB students.