University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) MBA

The MBA is still the most widely recognized business management degree in the world. USB’s triple-accredited Masters of Business Administration has been designed to turn managers, professionals, specialists, and entrepreneurs into exceptional decision-makers, strategic thinkers, effective communicators and stewards of society.

University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) MBA Requirements

This is what you need to apply for an MBA at USB:

Academic qualifications
The South African Council on Higher Education requires MBA applicants to have one of the following qualifications:

• 4-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 8), OR
• Honours/Postgraduate degree (NQF level 8), OR
• 3-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) plus a postgraduate diploma (NQF level 8)

Note:

• International students require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate their degrees according to South African standards. USB’s International Affairs Office will handle the credential evaluations of international students free of charge. You therefore need to complete the online application, and upload all certificates to your application. The International Office will, as part of the application process, conduct an in-house credential evaluation after you have submitted your application.
• All degrees undergo a formal vetting process to eliminate fraudulent applications.

Other requirements

• At least 3 years of relevant full-time working experience, preferably on managerial level
• Mathematics at NSC (Grade 12) level or equivalent is highly recommended
• A comprehensive CV
• 2 essays, showing the candidate’s level of motivation and working experience (see below)
• Satisfactory selection test results (see below)
• Additional requirement for students enrolling for MBA stream in Project Management: A Project Management course on NQF level 8, for which credits can be considered in respect of required elective

Recognition of Prior Learning

USB provides wider access to its programmes through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. In line with the requirements of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), USB may admit up to 10% of its student body under RPL. Candidates who wish to be admitted under the RPL policy will firstly have to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students. In addition, prospective MBA students under the RPL policy have to adhere to the following:

• Have at least an NQF 6 qualification (all school and academic certificates are required).
• Exemption to this rule is available for outstanding applicants who hold a Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and who have provided evidence of high performance and likely success on the MBA through admission selection scores that are at least 20% higher than the average scores achieved by USB MBA students (currently SHL score > 7; GMAT score > 650) and relevant work experience of 10 years. The approval for
  such RPL candidates requires the head of the department’s support in addition to the RPL Committee’s decision on the application.
• Have at least SIX years of working experience after obtaining the qualification mentioned in the first bullet point, of which at least THREE years should have been in a management or a related professional position.
• Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating, in detail, areas of responsibility in the work environment as well as activities outside the work environment.
• Provide USB with at least two referents who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities (typically current or former line managers). The referents will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be download under the guideline documents in the application form.
• Submit the SHL/GMAT selection test results.
• Write and submit two motivational essays (specific topics are provided).
• Conduct an in-depth interview with the Head of the MBA programme and one other USB academic staff member constituting the RPL Committee.

The RPL selection process entails the following:

• The programme head and another academic will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate and make a recommendation about admission.
• USB’s Admissions Committee will consider the full application including the interview recommendation and the inputs received from the references for admission.
• A notice of admission is sent via USB’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
• Important: RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October of each year to allow sufficient time for the assessment process

University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) MBA Contact Details

Address

Carl Cronjé Drive
Bellville 7530
Cape Town
South Africa

Tel

Local: 021 918 4111
International: +27 21 918 4111

E-mail

[email protected]