Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration | USB (2023)

Course Overview

2023 Tuition Fees

Important:

• Payment of full programme fees for South African students: Students on the 1-year PGDip can pay the full programme fees upon registration, or they can pay 75% of the annual fees by the end of May and the balance of 25% by the end of September. Students on the 2-year PGDip can spread their payment over 2 years.
• Payment of full programme fees for international students: International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due two weeks before commencement of the programme.
• Deposit: All students pay a deposit on acceptance of admission. South African students must pay a set deposit on admittance. International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The deposit payable is non-refundable.
• Application fee: The application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is non-refundable.
• Additional fees for international students: International students pay an International Registration Fee (IRF) per academic year. Students from countries other than those in the Southern African Development Community also pay an International Tuition Fee (ITF) (i.e. students from SADC countries are exempt from the ITF).
• SHL selection test fees: See Admission requirements for details about this selection test.
• Study materials: Study fees include tuition, assessment and e-textbooks.
• Travel and accommodation: Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.
• Fee changes: The Business School reserves the right to change the fees at any time.

FINANCING

Capitec’s credit for education solution

Capitec offers credit for education at a discounted rate which allows prospective students to apply for a loan of up to R250 000. To apply, the applicant must be permanently employed, 18 years or older, and have a valid South African ID document. A provisional quote or admission letter from Stellenbosch Business School is needed to process the credit application. You can only apply for Capitec’s credit solution through the Business School’s website.Initiation, service fees and T&Cs apply. Capitec Bank is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 46669) and registered credit provider (NCRCP13).

TIMETABLES

2023 Blended

16 January (Orientation) Remote. Classes commence 17 January @ 16:00 until 6 December Hyflex

Blended groups might have the option between below days depending on the cohort size:

• Foundation modules– Tuesday , Wednesdays or Thursdays
• Specialisation modules– Wednesdays

2023 Modular (On campus)

1. 27 February – 3 March (Orientation on the Monday) –
2. 22 – 26 May
3. 14 – 18 August
4. 30 October – 3 November

Overview

It’s about acquiring managerial skills.

Stellenbosch Business School recognised the need of managers and entrepreneurs to obtain a formal business management qualification, but not necessarily an MBA. At the same time, we also recognised the need of those who wanted to prepare themselves for access to an MBA in order to move to senior level positions.

This led to the design of the Postgraduate Diploma Business Management and Administration (PGDip BMA), presented for the first time in 2015, and to its redesign in 2021 to you even more flexibility and to make it even easier for you to study while you work.

The joint design of the PGDip BMA and MBA at the Business School allows students to experience an unrivalled learning path when doing the two qualifications in succession. However, the PGDip BMA is also an exit-level qualification that will not leave the graduate who does not want to do the MBA feeling short-changed. The PGDip BMA’s unique focus on general management skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible leadership makes this a meaningful qualification on the African continent.

This PGDip will provide you with a transformative learning experience to acquire the leadership skills, thinking frameworks and capabilities you need to find your way forward – regardless of whether you see your future self in an executive, managerial, specialist or entrepreneurial position.

Who should enrol?

Working professionals:

• Managers who wish to complete an MBA but who do not qualify for entry directly into a Master’s programme. Successful completion of the PGDip BMA at a particular standard (65% average) will allow entry into the MBA. Students who did not obtain 65% average are still welcome to apply for the MBA, but will be treated like any other applicant and will have to comply with the full set of admission requirements, including selection tests.
• Entrepreneurs and managers who want to broaden their management skills, but who do not necessarily want to enrol for an MBA and/or who do not want to do research on MBA level.
• Managers and leaders who work full-time, who cannot afford lengthy residency periods at the Business School, and/or who prefer to do most of their learning off-campus.

RPL candidates who wish to enrol for an MBA with us:

• All Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) candidates who do not have an NQF 6 qualification have to complete an appropriate Postgraduate Diploma before doing the MBA.

What you need to apply

• Academic qualifications: A three-year Bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma at NQF level 7, or higher.
• Work experience: A minimum of two years of relevant full-time work experience (preferably at a managerial level).
• Selection test: SHL selection test (see below). This test is done online.
• Essay: You need to write an essay (see below).
• Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
• Highly recommended: Mathematics at NNS (Grade 12) level or equivalent; proficiency in English.

Important:

• Recognition of Prior Learning: The Business School provides wider access to its programmes through its RPL process. This means that, even if you do not have the required qualifications, you can still apply based on the management experience you have gained. You still need to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students, plus additional requirements. See Recognition of prior learning lower down in this section.
• International students: International students require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate their degrees according to South African standards. The Business School’s International Affairs Office will first handle the credential evaluations of international students free of charge. Students need to complete the online application and upload all certificates with their application. The International Affairs Office will, as part of the application process, conduct an in-house credential evaluation after you have submitted your application. However, should the International Affairs Office be uncertain about the status, recognition or accreditation of your qualification, we reserve the right to refer you to SAQA before we consider your application further.
• Vetting process: All degrees undergo a formal vetting process to eliminate fraudulent applications.

SHL selection test

You need to complete the SHL abilities selection test as part of your application process. The test consists of verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, which are used for selection and for the identification of your development areas.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
• Preparation: No preparation is required. However, you are encouraged to perform a practice test to familiarise yourself with the test format. See www.shl.com/shldirect/en-us/practice-tests/
• About the test: The SHL test is done online. (Random verification might be requested.) You will be provided with a link to the SHL test once you have paid your PGDip BMA application fee and SHL selection test fee, and after you have submitted your application form and have received your provisional student number. (You need to use this provisional student number when writing the SHL.)
• Cost: For fees, please see www.usb.ac.za/pgdbma (click on Fees tab). See bank details under How to apply and use your provisional student number as reference. The application fee and SHL selection test fee can be paid online, and they are non-refundable.
• Link to the SHL selection test: You do not have to arrange with us to write the SHL test. You will receive a link to the test once the relevant payments have been received and you have submitted your application form. We will receive your results directly from SHL and will upload it to your application form on your behalf.
• Additional information: www.shl.co.za and www.shl.com/en/assessments/cognitive-ability/
• Important: The SHL selection test is valid for 18 months. If your SHL selection test results are older than this, you should ideally rewrite the test as people grow and develop and assessments need to take this into account. We do not consider SHL tests from other institutions as you may have written a different type or level of test, or you may have been compared to a different comparison group. If you have completed the SHL with us during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.

Write an essay

An essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below is to be submitted in pdf format:

Stellenbosch Business School aspires to be a source of value for a better world. How are your career goals aligned with being a source of value for a better world, and how would this postgraduate programme assist you in achieving your short-term (2 to 3 years) and long-term (10 years) career goals?

Recognition of Prior Learning

Stellenbosch Business School 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), we may admit up to 10% of our student body per programme under RPL. RPL candidates need to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students.

In addition, prospective RPL candidates applying for a Postgraduate Diploma with us have to adhere to the following:

• Have at least an NQF 4 qualification.
• Have at least 10 years of working experience after obtaining a school leaving certificate, of which at least five years should have been in a management or related professional position.
• Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information of activities outside the work environment.
• Provide the Business School with at least two references who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities (typically current or former line managers). The references will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be download from the application form.

The RPL selection process entails the following:

• The Business School’s Admissions Committee (programme head 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 Postgraduate Diploma, they may be admitted.
• A recommendation of admission is sent via the Business School’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
• RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October to allow sufficient time for the assessment process.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Discover more about the programmes

Course Overview

The fees below are for 2022. The fees for 2023 will be posted once these become available.

Programme tuition fees for 2022

Important:

• Payment of full programme fees for South African students: Students on the 1-year PGDip can pay the full programme fees upon registration, or they can pay 75% of the annual fees by the end of May and the balance of 25% by the end of September. Students on the 2-year PGDip can spread their payment over 2 years.
• Payment of full programme fees for international students: International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due two weeks before commencement of the programme.
• Deposit: All students pay a deposit on acceptance of admission. South African students must pay a set deposit on admittance. International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The deposit payable is non-refundable.
• Application fee: The application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is non-refundable.
• Additional fees for international students: International students pay an International Registration Fee (IRF) per academic year. Students from countries other than those in the Southern African Development Community also pay an International Tuition Fee (ITF) (i.e. students from SADC countries are exempt from the ITF).
• SHL selection test fees: See Admission requirements for details about this selection test.
• Study materials: Study fees include tuition, assessment and e-textbooks.
• Travel and accommodation: Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.
• Fee changes: The Business School reserves the right to change the fees at any time.

FINANCING

Capitec’s credit for education solution

Capitec offers credit for education at a discounted rate from 7% which allows prospective students, or their parents or guardians, to apply for a loan of up to R250 000 and pay it back over 84 months. To apply, the applicant must be permanently employed, 18 years or older, and have a valid South African ID document. A provisional quote or admission letter from Stellenbosch Business School is needed to process the credit application. You can only apply for Capitec’s credit solution through the Business School’s website. Go to the academic programme in which you are interested (see the FEES tab) and apply via the link supplied. Or go to https://www.usb.ac.za/academic-programmes/capitec-credit-for-education/.

Initiation, service fees and T&Cs apply. Capitec Bank is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 46669) and registered credit provider (NCRCP13).

TIMETABLES

The timetables below are for 2022. The timetables for 2023 will be posted once the dates become available.

Timetable for Modular format
YEAR 1 (2022):
Block 1: 28 February – 04 March (orientation on the Monday)
Block 2: 09 – 13 May
Block 3: 15 – 19 August
Block 4: 31 October – 4 November

Timetable for Blended Learning format
Orientation: 17 January
Weekly classes thereafter: 18 January – 05 December (Tuesday evenings from 16:00 – 20:15)

Overview

USB recognised the need of managers and entrepreneurs to obtain a formal business management qualification, but not necessarily anMBA. At the same time, USB also recognised the need of those who wanted to prepare themselves for access to anMBAin order to move to senior level positions.

This led to the design of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration (PGDip BMA), presented for the first time in 2015, and to its redesign in 2021 to you even more flexibility and to make it even easier for you to study while you work.

The joint design of the PGDip BMA andMBA at USBallows students to experience an unrivalled learning path when doing the two qualifications in succession. However, the PGDip BMA is also an exit-level qualification that will not leave the graduate who does not want to do theMBAfeeling short-changed. The PGDip BMA’s unique focus on general management skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible leadership makes this a meaningful qualification on the African continent.

This PGDip will provide you with a transformative learning experience to acquire the leadership skills, thinking frameworks and capabilities you need to find your way forward – regardless of whether you see your future self in an executive, managerial, specialist or entrepreneurial position.

Academic qualifications and other admission criteria

The following minimum admission criteria are applicable:

• Academic qualifications: A three-year Bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma at NQF level 7, or higher.
• Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant full-time work experience (preferably at managerial level).
• Selection test: SHL selection test (see below). This test is done online.
• Essay: You need to write an essay (see below).
• Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
• Highly recommended: Mathematics at NNS (Grade 12) level or equivalent; proficiency in English.

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.

SHL selection test

You need to complete the SHL abilities selection test as part of your application process. The test consists of verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, which are used for selection and for the identification of your development areas.

The SHL is not about failing or passing. It is about determining your strengths and growth areas. The early identification of growth areas allows you to prepare yourself well and focus your efforts on academic and career success. As a responsible institution, USB needs to ensure that all students admitted are provided with the best possible chance to succeed in their studies and careers. The SHL is used in combination with the essay(s) required as part of the application process, prior academic results and work experience to form a clear picture on which to base admission and development decisions. Click here for more information on how we use the SHL to help students.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
• Preparation: No preparation is required. However, you are encouraged to perform a practice test to familiarise yourself with the test format. See shl.com/shldirect/en-us/practice-tests/
• About the test: The SHL test is done online. (Random verification might be requested.) You will be provided with a link to the SHL test once you have paid your PGDip BMA application fee and SHL selection test fee, and after you have submitted your application form and have received your provisional student number. (You need to use this provisional student number when writing the SHL.)
• Cost: For fees, please see usb.ac.za/pgdbma (click on Fees tab). See bank details under How to apply and use your provisional student number as reference. The application fee and SHL selection test fee can be paid online.
• Link to the SHL selection test: You do not have to arrange with USB to write the SHL test. You will receive a link to the test once the relevant payments have been received and you have submitted your application form. USB will receive your results directly from SHL and will upload it to your application form on your behalf.
• Additional information: shl.com/en/assessments/cognitive-ability/
• Important: The SHL selection test is valid for 18 months. If your SHL selection test results are older than this, you should ideally rewrite the test as people grow and develop and assessments need to take this into account. USB does not consider SHL tests from other institutions as you may have written a different type or level of test, or you may have been compared to a different comparison group. If you have completed the SHL with USB during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.

Motivational essay

Write an essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below and submit it in PDF format. Please indicate the word count at the end of your essay:

USB aspires to be a source of value for a better world. How are your career goals aligned with being a source of value for a better world, and how would this postgraduate programme assist you in achieving your short-term (2 to 3 years) and long-term (10 years) career goals?

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, USB may admit up to 10% of its student body under RPL. RPL candidates need to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students.

In addition, prospective RPL candidates applying for a Postgraduate Diploma at USB have to adhere to the following:

• Have at least an NQF 4 qualification.
• Have at least ten years of working experience after obtaining a school leaving certificate, of which at least five years should have been in a management or related professional position.
• Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information of 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 that can be download under the guideline documents in the application form.

The RPL selection process entails the following:

• USB’s Admissions Committee (programme head 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 Postgraduate Diploma, 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.
• Important: RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October to allow sufficient time for the assessment process

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Discover more about the programmes