be worth more
be worth more
Invest in your career and Be Worth More The city of Bloemfontein, situated in the South African province of the Free State, is home to the University of the Free State. Founded in 1904, the UFS currently serves more than 30 000 residential and non-residential students. Thanks to a tradition of excellence and progressive learning programmes, the University of the Free State is now regarded as one of the top academic institutions in the country. The UFS Business School, located in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has firmly established itself as a leader in the provision of management and leadership programmes within South Africa. In addition to its large spectrum of management programmes available, the UFS Business School offers an MBA qualification, delivering a new generation of highly skilled and innovative managers equipped to excel in today s corporate and business environment. 1
Message from the Director South Africa needs empowered business leaders adding value and differentiating themselves in their respective environments. The UFS Business School provides an exceptional opportunity to Be Worth More. Graduates of both our Bachelor of Management Leadership (BML), Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDip of Business Administration) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) will be able to compete in both the domestic and global economic and business environment. Prof Helena van Zyl 2
Master of Business Administration The UFS Business School is fully accredited by the Council for Higher Education (CHE), a member of SABSA (South African Association for Business Schools), CEEMAN (Central and East European Management Development Association) and of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The Business School has been awarded 3 Palms by EDUNIVERSAL and belongs to the 3rd League of the 1000 Best Business Schools worldwide. The MBA programme involves resource-based learning implying self-study with the aid of a course guide. Assessment includes tests, assignments and projects, while group activities are performed to develop team skills. Independent studies are undertaken to promote research capabilities. Formal examinations also form part of the assessment. The programme is presented in English. After completion of the MBA programme the graduate will be equipped to: 1. Demonstrate a broad, specialised understanding of general management and the business/management environment. 2. Demonstrate a specialised understanding of the interaction between operational and strategic management. 3. Identify and solve problems on an executive level, demonstrating critical and creative thinking. 4. Apply the general (compulsory) management skills in various contexts. 5. Appraise and integrate management issues from the various knowledge fields. 6. Integrate and apply knowledge and work experience by means of a field study and an applied research output in the form of a mini-dissertation. ADMISSION Admission to the 2 year MBA programme is done through the UFS Business School. A new group of students commence their studies January and July of every year. Applications for the January intake close 30 September and for the July intake 30 April each year. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS The minimum requirements for prospective candidates are the following: At least 25 years of age 3
REGISTRATION At least 3 years of relevant managerial experience/work experience And one of the following: A four year applicable Bachelor s degree A Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (NQF level 8) An applicable Honours degree A RPL process (candidates admitted according to a RPL process cannot be more than 10% per intake). VERIFICATION All international qualifications must be verified at the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) by the applicant before applying. Forms are available on our website www.ufs.ac.za/bus/applications Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Final approval for all applications are at the discretion of the Director of the Business School SELECTION PROCESS A selection process takes place twice a year and the admission requirements apply. A battery of psychometric assessments Should you fail the selection test, you will only be allowed to apply after a period of 18 months has expanded Registration as a student of the University of the Free State is compulsory. Registration for the MBA programme is done through the UFS Business School. A minimum of 10 students must register for a specific elective module for it to be offered. The Director makes the final decision in this regard. It is at all times the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her registration is correct. FEES Information regarding the application and tuition fees is available on our website www.ufs.ac.za/bus CLASS ATTENDANCE Three full-day contact sessions are scheduled for each semester module. The contact sessions for the different modules are scheduled, as far as possible, on consecutive days to accommodate students from outside Bloemfontein. Classes are scheduled from Monday Friday. Class attendance is compulsory. STUDY MATERIAL Study guides will be available on Blackboard after registration. Prescribed books are not included in tuition fees. GRADUATION Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for July and December each year. 4
Curriculum - NQF Level 9 The course content of the UFS Business School MBA enhances and develops managers and leaders, broadly covering all aspects and challenges that managers and leaders might face in today s ever changing business environment. The curriculum consists of 15 core modules, electives up to 20 credits and a compulsory Research Project. Students must obtain 221 credits to qualify for the degree. Year 1 Semester 1 Semester 2 Business Research Methods Analytical Methods Financial Management I Business Conditions Analysis Leadership I Corporate Strategy Personal Development Financial Management II Strategic Marketing Leadership II Year 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Corporate Governance & Business Law Research Project: (continue) Research Project Managing Society & the Future Leading Innovation & Change Scenario Planning Organisational Behaviour Elective Elective Elective Electives All electives are 10 credit semester modules except for New Venture Creation which consists of 20 credits and is a year module Digital Marketing International Business Investment and Portfolio Analysis New Venture Creation Project Management Risk Management Services Marketing Social Entrepreneurship South African Income Tax 5
OUR MBA IS PRESENTED BY A PROFESSIONAL, SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED LECTURING STAFF As far as practically feasible, each module is presented by an allocated facilitator in collaboration with a visiting professor. Visiting professors are suitably qualified industry professionals with substantial practical experience and a high profile in a specific field of study. Professors extraordinaire: Prof. Frederick Fourie (Research Associate) Visiting professors (part-time): Dr. Bennie Anderson Dr. Marius Botha Mr. Roger Crawford Dr. Mias de Klerk Adv. Johan du Toit Prof. M. Gupta Prof. R. Hinson Mr. J.P. Landman Mr. Ndaba Ntsele Prof. D. Plaatjies Dr. Gary van Vuuren THE SCHOOL HAS AGREEMENTS WITH A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, NAMELY: ESC Rennes School of Business, Rennes, France Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University, Chicago, USA Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, India Mississippi State University, USA School for New Learning, DePaul University, Chicago, USA University of Turin, Turin, Italy BEST STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2014 Never have I been so enjoyably, yet fiercely challenged on an intellectual, emotional and physical level. By completing an MBA, you become part of an elect group of individuals who can appreciate this special contrast. As an entrepreneur, the MBA programme effected a significant and progressive paradigm shift for me. Not only in the way I understand and approach business, but also on a personal development level. I gained enormous value from the financial and accounting subjects. Though, I believe the programme s main benefit is providing students with knowledge on a holistic platform, covering the diverse spectrum of subjects that comprise business management. Consequently this programme with its network of new friends, pristinely professional staff, instruction by outstanding lecturers and inputs from the captains of industry, equipped me with a definite edge in my own business and for my future career. Kobus le Roux I am proud to be associated with the University of the Free State s Business School and infinitely grateful for the opportunity they provide me, to Be Worth More. 6
Application Procedure Application forms are available on our website www.ufs.ac.za/bus Please make sure that all of the following documents are submitted: Completed application form. Recommendation forms (2). One recent ID photograph. Proof of payment (non-refundable) for application fees. Certified copies of: All certificates of degrees obtained. ID Document / Passport. Academic record including certificate of conduct (This must be obtained from your previous tertiary institution). Completed applications must be delivered or sent to: Physical address Mrs Elvira Oberholzer UFS Business School UFS Business School Building Block B, 3rd floor University of the Free State Nelson Mandela Drive Bloemfontein 9301 Postal address Mrs Elvira Oberholzer UFS Business School PO Box 339 Internal Box 17 University of the Free State Bloemfontein 9300 For enquiries contact Mrs Elvira Oberholzer mbabusinessschool@ufs.ac.za Tel: 051 401 3163 7
be worth more
be worth more UFS Business School Building, 3rd floor, Block B W: http://bus.ufs.ac.za F: www.facebook.com/ufsbusinessschool