Masters Degree in Business Administration

POTCHEFSTROOM BESIGHEIDSKOOL BUSINESS SCHOOL

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY YUNIBESITI YA BOKONE-BOPHIRIMA NOORDWES-UNIVERSITEIT

POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS

Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

Introduction The Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) is offered by the Potchefstroom Business School (PBS) and is accredited by the Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC). The NWU is considered to be the best-managed university in South Africa. The business school of the Faculty Business and Economic Sciences at NWU has been delivering competent graduates to Southern Africa who, in turn, are making a proven contribution to social and economical growth in the region. The PBS aims to provide professional postgraduate management and business training. The faculty of the PBS is therefore focused on combining theory and practice in order to fully develop the strategic leadership potential of business people. The programme content and standard of the PBS MBA ensure that participants acquire skills with regard to international business practice and trends that can successfully be applied to the challenges encountered in Southern Africa. The MBA qualification is regarded as the flagship of business training worldwide:  The MBA is recognised internationally as the most suitable qualification to prepare business people for successful careers within the senior cadres of their organisations.  An MBA improves the management skills of participants and innovative study themes unlock new knowledge that guides developing leaders in a creative way to play a definite value-adding role within their organisations.  The dynamic programme content is carefully compiled for individuals who not only expect value for their money, but insist on continued returns on the investment of their time and hard years of study.  The value of an MBA lies within the performance of each individual. It is a degree for people who not only want to be able to write MBA behind their name, but also wish to turn their newly-acquired knowledge and skills into value and prosperity.  The PBS firmly believes that the achieved average results are a synergistic consequence of the knowledge and creativity of student and lecturer. Exit-level outcomes After completion of the MBA programme the graduate will be equipped to: apply critical-analytical thought;  internalise the core dynamics of the various management fields and also demonstrate it with the level of insight required by masters-degree studies;  apply the above-mentioned insight to complex management issues on multi-disciplinary levels; apply research skills in order to address empirical issues; communicate effectively in individual as well as syndicate group situations; handle the management challenges within an ethical context;  convert senior-level quality into purpose-driven value for the organisation; and therefore  perform as an empowered management leader with a fundamentally ethical approach to the challenges of the 21st century. Competitive edge The availability of MBA programmes within the tertiary market environment is wide and diverse. Against that background the PBS is steadfast in continuing to live up to its reputation by not budging at all with regard to quality assurance. This business school grows when changes and renewal take place, regarding them as challenges instead of stumbling blocks. Educational and pedagogical innovation enable the PBS to diminish the demands of part-time study for its clients. That is also why full-time working postgraduate learners attend lectures after hours to accommodate busy schedules. Market research shows a preference for the part-time business model of the PBS that enables learners to contribute to their working environment immediately. Effective learner support resources, including accessible academic and administrative personnel, excellent information resources and syndicate group activities together with outcomes-based study material ensure outstanding and pleasant circumstances that promote excellence. The PBS personnel are professional academics who are enjoying constant exposure in the national and international academic community, guided by leading conferences worldwide, and who are directly involved in a variety of research activities and projects. Furthermore, the Faculty maintains strong links with the private and public sectors where their consultation services are widely recognised. In this way, theoretical and practical expertise is combined to the advantage of students, lecturers and the community in general.

Admission to the three-year MBA programme

Admission requirements Admission to the MBA programme takes place according to strict requirements in accordance with other fully-accredited business schools countrywide. Prospective candidates must have a recognised degree qualification (or similar) and three years applicable working experience. Any overseas qualification must be verified at the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) by the applicant. The application process is as follows: Step 1  Applicants complete the official application forms as supplied by the MBA admissions office (018 299 2629/ 4044/ 4049); MBA Potchefstroom secretary (018 299 1419/ 1406); MBA Vanderbijlpark secretary (016 910 3011) or available on the website (www.nwu.ac.za/pbs). Step 2 Applicants are notified of their admission status according to a paper selection process. Successful applicants are then contacted to take the Business Schools admission test. These tests are based on practical business management insight. Aspects of business science tested include personality traits, and numeric and communication skills. The PBS uses an internationally recognised test developed by the SHL. SHL testing is used as a selection model at various leading business schools in South Africa and in more than 40 countries worldwide. After the assessment, successful candidates will officially be notified of their test results by the PBS. Step 3 (optional) In certain cases, the PBS reserves the right to invite candidates for a personal interview in support of their application. Important notices:  Step 2 is left out if a candidate has passed a GMAT-selection test with a total of 550 or more during the past three years. Such candidates must provide proof of the GMAT results when the application forms mentioned in Step 1 are submitted. In this case, the PBS also reserves the right to conduct personal interviews with candidates for additional clarity during the application process. It is a requirement that MBA students have access to the Internet/email facilities.  In order to ensure a problem-free registration process to the advantage of clients and the University, prospective applicants are requested to submit their application forms and supporting academic documents during the last quarter of the year, after 1 September. Applications received later than 15 January will not be accepted.  Two recent passport-size photographs (with the applicants name and identity number on the back) must accompany the application package.  University administration will confirm receipt of all applications. Incomplete applications will not be taken up in the system before the supporting documents have been submitted.  Applicants must declare their willingness to travel to Potchefstroom for the selection test, as well as a personal interview, if required, in support of the application process. Only a limited number of applicants will be selected and admitted to the MBA programme every year.

Fees Please refer to the enclosed schedule with regard to the payable fees. Duration and structure of the MBA programme The MBA is offered over a period of three academic years. Learners must study all six modules per year. (See enclosed table on the next page.) In order to live up to the PBS philosophy of continued excellence and relevance of programme content while the business environment keeps changing, is a challenge that the PBS accepts with enthusiasm by constantly revising the programme content and the learning model and by using contemporary examples and perspectives. The PBS has a successful method of both national and international evaluation and moderation to assess quality and relevance. Accessibility The MBA is offered in Afrikaans every second Saturday from 07:45 to 14:15 in Potchefstroom. Lectures are presented in English every second Monday from 15:45 to 22:15 in Vanderbijlpark.

MBA curriculum
YEAR 1
SEMESTER 1 Financial Reporting Organisational Behaviour Business Law and Business Ethics SEMESTER 2 Managerial Statistics Management Economics Information Management

YEAR 2
SEMESTER 1 Management Accounting Marketing Management Operational Management SEMESTER 2 Entrepreneurship Financial Management Change Management

YEAR 3
SEMESTER 1 Research Methodology Strategic Formulation and Implementation  Strategic Management Application: Company project SEMESTER 2 Research: Dissertation

Study schools MBA students are required to attend the two scheduled study schools per year, which means a total of six study schools over the three academic years. The study schools are held annually in January/February and in July. During these study schools, there is particular focus on skills development, research, as well as advanced management and leadership issues.

OUR THREE-YEAR MBA PROGRAMME

POTCHEFSTROOM BESIGHEIDSKOOL BUSINESS SCHOOL

North-West University; Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 Tel: 018 299 1419 E-mail: pbsinfo@nwu.ac.za | wilma.pretorius@nwu.ac.za Fax: 018 299 1416 www.nwu.ac.za/pbs Rhonda Ferreira Quest Conference Centre, Vanderbijlpark Tel: 016 910 3011 E-mail: rhonda.ferreira@nwu.ac.za