• To ‘future-proof’ your career: The USB’s MBA will ‘future-proof’ your career in various ways. The USB emphasises the development of a resilient thinking style as part of its learning philosophy. Critical thinking skills will equip you with the ability to think well and argue soundly. This, combined with analytical and strategic skills, will help you to recognise economic, social and other patterns, and to create a robust action plan 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. The USB’s multi-method approach to leadership development includes modules, electives, assessments, dialogues, feedback, case studies, essays and journaling – making leadership development and personal development go hand in hand.
• To be able to operate in any industry, anywhere in the world: The USB’s international and African relationships, and the makeup of the USB faculty and students will expose you to diversity in a multi-cultural world. The USB has positioned itself as a knowledge partner of the world in Africa, and of Africa in the world. Therefore, the MBA has a local, African and global focus. MBA students also benefit from the USB’s partnership agreements with over 80 international business schools through exchange study options, joint research and international lecturers. The compulsory international module at an overseas school included in the MBA offers further international exposure. All this will greatly enhance your ability to work in any industry and in any country.
• To acquire an internationally acknowledged MBA: The USB is the only business school of an African-born university with all three international accreditations – AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Various awards, rankings and memberships also confirm the USB’s standing in the international business school arena.
• To become a caring citizen: 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 school itself is involved in various social initiatives, notably its subsidised Management Programme for Non-profit Organisations.
• To undertake quality research: The USB sets a demanding standard for the research report, required of all MBA students at EQUIS-accredited schools. The research report is expected to comprise original, critical and insightful research to add depth to your learning experience.

Learning outcomes

• An astute understanding of the business, social and natural environment in which we operate
• Critical thinking abilities
• Leadership abilities
• The ability to thrive in a global multicultural environment
• A thorough understanding of the concept of good corporate citizenship
• The ability to make an impact in society
• The ability to articulate professionally in an organisational environment
• Integrated learning and problem-solving abilities with a holistic approach to the business environment
• Strategic thinking abilities.

MBA structure
The MBA is structured into three phases: Management Fundamentals, Management in Context and Management Enhancement. Each participant also follows a Leadership Development track which runs across the entire MBA (see below). Participants will develop a core of functional knowledge and skills, while holistic thinking will be stimulated by the systems approach. Specialisation and enrichment opportunities are provided through electives, the research report, the compulsory overseas study tour and optional exchange studies.

Leadership as a core theme of the USB’s MBA
The USB believes leaders are grown, not born. That is why each MBA student follows an individualised leadership development journey throughout the entire programme to cultivate the following capabilities:

• Personal leadership: with subjects such as Emotional Intelligence, Individual Ethical Decision-Making and Multi-cultural Sensitivity
• Group leadership: with subjects such as Valuing and Leading Diversity and High-impact Leadership and Teaming
• Organisational leadership: with subjects such as Organisational Change, Rank and Power, Corporate Governance, High-performance People Management Practices, Negotiation and Mediation, and Employee Relations
• Societal leadership: with subjects such as Business in Society and Corporate Citizenship.

The leadership development programme is delivered via leadership assessment questionnaires and feedback, a class programme (48 contact sessions plus electives), one-on-one dialogues with faculty members and peer-based feedback groups. The output required from students includes tests, journaling, reflective essays, group assignments and case studies. The USB’s leadership expertise is based on the contribution of experts, practice-based inputs and research undertaken by its Centre for Leadership Studies.

Delivery options

MBA options	Total duration	Class contact sessions on campus	Research report	Starting date	Language
Full-time MBA	2 years	11 months of classes	Remainder of period	Jan	English
Part-time MBA	3 years	2 years of weekend classes	Remainder of period	Jan	English
Modular MBA	3 years	Orientation and 10 blocks spread over 3 years	During 3rd year	Jan	English
Modular MBA	3 years	Orientation and 10 blocks spread over 3 years	During 3rd year	Feb	Mainly Afrikaans*
Modular MBA	3 years	Orientation and 10 blocks spread over 3 years	During 3rd year	May	English

*The USB is the only business school in South Africa that offers an MBA with contact sessions in Afrikaans. The USB’s Modular MBA in Afrikaans and English (e.g. where subjects are presented by international faculty) will therefore enable Afrikaans-speaking students to do an MBA in their home language while working full-time.