Rhodes University Business School FAQ’s
FAQ’s
1. Is your MBA Accredited?
We are fully accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and are members of the South African Business Schools Association (SABSA) and African Association of Business Schools (AABS). Our MBA programme is internationally accredited by the global Association of MBAs (AMBA).
2. What are Rhodes Business School’s admission requirements?
Applicants should have an NQF8 qualification (i.e. an Honours degree, Post-graduate Diploma or a four year bachelor’s degree), be proficient in English; have 3 years full-time work experience and an NMAT by GMAC admission score.
3. I do not have the requisite NQF8 qualification, what options do I have?
Option 1. You can apply for admission under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Each application is reviewed on its own merits and is subject to approval by the University’s Senate. We consider your academic performance in your Bachelor’s degree (the higher the results the better), management experience (the longer and more senior, the better), your reason for doing the MBA, your NMAT or GMAT admission score test and motivation given by your referees. It is important to note though that no more than 10% of the class may be admitted under RPL. So if the MBA class is 30, no more than 3 can be admitted. Under RPL. This means that we have to wait until the END of the application process (once the class size has been confirmed) and we will then choose those who we consider the best candidates. You could very well fall within this category, but there is a chance that you won’t. Option 2. You can apply for the Post Graduate Diploma in Enterprise Management (PDEM) – Full time or Part Time or Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analysis (PGBA). These can be completed in 1 year. Passing the PDEM or PGBA, gives you access to the MBA the following year as long as you have the requisite three years’ work experience and you have sat the NMAT. Details of the PDEM and PGBA can be found at https://www.ru.ac.za/businessschool/studying/
4. How do I apply?
Visit our website at www.ru.ac.za/businessschool and download the relevant application forms, email us at mba@ru.ac.za or telephone us on +27 (0)46 603 8617. The specific link for the application forms can be found at: https://www.ru.ac.za/media/rhodesuniversity/content/businessschool/documents/Application_Rhodes_MBA.pdf
5. What documents must I submit with my application?
The application form, two referees’ reports (note each referee must have known you for at least one year. One referee should be your current or most recent employer and the other an independent person who can provide insights into your academic potential), a certified copy of your ID or passport if you are not a South citizen, a certified copy of your degree certificates, an academic transcript (sent directly from the academic institution where you studied), and confirmation of the NMAT admission test.
6. What personal characteristics do you look for?
One of our great strengths is the diversity of our student background, you will get to work with people from the private and public sectors, from diverse professions (doctors, lawyers, engineers) and from many different countries. First and foremost we look for candidates who demonstrate professionalism, integrity and respect for others. A high level of emotional intelligence, ability to work in a team, accept pressurized situations and achieving deadlines will put you in good stead. Lastly, we want people who absolutely committed to sustainability, are passionate about it and want to make a positive difference to their organisations and communities. Teaching follows an integrated approach to management education characterised by our 4E Model .
7. What is the deadline for application?
Closing date is 31st October. You may apply immediately. It is strongly recommended that international applicants do so as soon as possible so as to ensure you obtain your study visa in time. Rhodes University’s international office can be accessed at: https://www.ru.ac.za/internationalisation/
8. How long after I have applied would I know the status of my application?
We normally work on a 2 week turn-around time for the applications’ review and approval.
9. Will I be required to write an admissions test?
Yes, we require that you sit the NMAT by GMAC. For details of this please go to https://www.nmat.org/ Furthermore, those applicants for whom English is a foreign language are required to sit an appropriate English language test. If you need to submit your application and have not yet written the NMAT, send in your application with a covering letter notifying us of the date of your NMAT or GMAT test, and let us have the results as soon as you have them.
10. What modes of delivery do you offer?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered by the Rhodes Business School is a course-work degree together with a dissertation of 15 000 words. The course-work comprises 18 modules totalling 124 credits and the dissertation is 60 credits, giving a total of 184 credits. The degree is offered on a part-time, modular basis over two and a half years, or full-time, modular basis over one and half years.
11. What subjects do you offer in MBA?
Our essence is ‘Leadership for Sustainability’, Leadership and Sustainability principles are fully mainstreamed in our teaching and learning. For part-time students in Year 1, the subjects are divided into Teaching Blocks (TB) as follows: (TB1): Academic Skills, Economics, Principles of Sustainability; (TB2): Research Methods, Quantitative Decision Making, Sustainable Marketing; (TB3) Financial Management, Operations Management, Sustainable Business Modelling (E1 ) or Business Consulting (E). (Note if you have not passed any tertiary level Financial Accounting, then it is compulsory that you also do the Financial & Quantitative Literacy Course in Year 1 which is done at the end of TB1). In Year 2, the subjects are (TB4): Responsible Leadership, People Management, Management Accounting; (TB5): Sustainable Fisheries (E) OR Environmental Economics (E); Project Management (E) OR Climate Change (E); Entrepreneurship (E) OR Sustainability Law (E); (TB6): Strategic Management, Knowledge Management (E) OR Integrated Coastal Management (E), Ethical Organization,. We also offer an International Option, in place of the three subjects in TB4 of the second year, whereby you can study abroad (at your own cost) at institutions where we have an exchange agreement. For students on the accelerated programme, subjects are completed in the first year in the order of Teaching Blocks (TBs) as follows: TB1, TB4, TB2, TB5, TB3 and TB6.
12. Am I required to submit a dissertation?
As this is a Master’s degree, all students are required to submit a research mini-thesis of 15 000 words. Immediately after completing the Research Methods module in Teaching Block 2, you will commence preparation of your research proposal to be defended at the Faculty’s Higher Degrees Committee in Teaching Block 3. Once approval of the proposal and ethical clearance 1 Elective has been obtained, you will commence your research. The research mini thesis MUST be submitted by 30 June of Year 2 for students on the Accelerated Program. Part-time students should aim to have it handed in by 30 November of Year 2, but not later than 30 June in Year 3.
13. Assuming I am accepted, how best should I prepare for the MBA programme?
This is an important question, as you should be under no illusion that embarking on this degree is a very tough process that will require hard work, effort and personal sacrifice. Most importantly you should discuss the decision with your family first and then your employer whereby you weigh up the trade-offs. Should you be concerned about any specific course/subject, self-preparation is advised and can be discussed with Rhodes Business School staff specific to the subject; alternatively, some short courses can also assist with additional preparation to the MBA programme (i.e. Financial & Quantitative Skills) and prospective MBA students might want to enrol in these prior to starting the MBA programme.
14. I have completed some or most of my MBA in another institution (either inside or outside South Africa) and would like to transfer to Rhodes Business School but I do not want to start all over again. What is the procedure with transferring credits?
As a rule of thumb, no more than 50% of credits may be transferred and you are required to submit a mini research thesis according to our requirements. You would need to provide Rhodes Business School with an academic transcript from Business School you have attended as well as course outlines. Each case is dealt with on its merits. The principle that we apply is that should Rhodes Business School offer an equivalent subject you may be credited for the module, subject to us being satisfied that the requisite standard is being applied.
15. What is the intake each year?
Maximum of 40 students each year.
16. How much does your MBA programme cost?
The course fee for 2020 will be confirmed by the University Council in November 2019. For now, students may budget as follows: Part-time Students 2020: R64 000 (Year 1) 2021: R69 000 (Year 2) 2022: R37 000 (Year 3). Note if the research mini-thesis is submitted in Year 2, then the fee for Year 2 is R69 000 plus R34 500 = R103 500 Full-time Students 2020: R128 000 (Year 1) 2021: R34 500 (Year 2) This covers tuition, course material, textbooks and examination fees. In addition to this, you will have to bear the cost of transport to and from Makhanda (Grahamstown), your accommodation for the duration of the teaching blocks as well as subsistence for the time you are in Makhanda (Grahamstown).
17. What is the demographic profile of an average class?
For a recent class, the average age was 36, the oldest student was 58 and the youngest was 23. 54% of our MBA students are male and 46% female. We have had students from all over the world, specifically Afghanistan, China, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Russia, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
18. Does Rhodes Business School offer financial aid?
Rhodes Business School has a limited number of part-bursaries available to South African citizens. To be eligible an average of 65% in the honours degree must have been obtained and there must a guaranteed matching funding from another source, such as an employer.
19. How am I assessed?
There is a mixture of assessments applied, namely participation in class, tests, assignments and examinations. It is also a requirement that you work in syndicates and some subjects may require that you hand-in group assignments. Assignments and exams generally contribute about 40% of the final subject mark. Assignments are normally required to be submitted 6 weeks after the completion of the teaching block and examinations (pertaining to subjects from the preceding teaching block) are written at the commencement of the following teaching block.
20. What are the main rules that I need to take cognisance of?
Once you have registered, you will be given a student guide which contains all the necessary information regarding the course rules. Some of the more important rules are that you are required to attend all lectures and syndicate work. We apply a subminimum of 40% on assignments and examinations. Achieving less than 45% for the overall module, requires that the student repeats the module. An overall mark of between 45% and 49% requires a resubmission of the assignment or rewriting the exam the next time it is set (depending on which of the two were underperformed). A module may only be repeated ONCE. All subjects must be passed. Rhodes Business School does not have aegrotats for missed exams. Should an exam be missed the student will sit for the exam the next time it is written i.e. the next academic year
21. What is the procedure for requesting a leave of absence?
Leave from course or syndicate workgroup sessions is granted only in extra-ordinary circumstances. Reason for absence must be submitted 48 hrs in advance in writing and supporting proof e.g. a letter from a doctor. Leave of absence on compassionate grounds only applies to immediate family. Normal work obligations do not qualify for leave of absence. Please note, an attendance register is signed at every lecture.
22. I am an international student. I would like to embark on an MBA, how do I go about this?
We are delighted that we have had many international students who register each year with us. We have students from afar afield as Afghanistan, China, DRC, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and closer to home Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. International students must make the application in the normal way. However, please note that you will be required to write the GMAT if the NMAT is not available in your country. It is essential that international applicants apply as soon as possible so that your study visa can be arranged on time. Details relevant to international students can be found at: https://www.ru.ac.za/internationalisation/
23. Where exactly is Rhodes University? How do I get there?
Rhodes University has a long and proud tradition of teaching and research excellence. It has the best undergraduate throughput rates and highest research output per capita of any university in South Africa. Please refer to more information about Rhodes by clicking on: https://www.ru.ac.za/introducingrhodes/ It is based in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape. The nearest main airports are Port Elizabeth (130kms away) and East London (160kms away). There are shuttle companies, which offer transport to and from the airport. For details of the Eastern Cape of South Africa, please look at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Cape
24. I was offered a place onto the Rhodes Business School programme previously. Due to circumstances I could not accept the offer. Do I need to reapply?
This depends on when the approval was granted and if there were any conditions attached to that acceptance. Rhodes Business School will assess this on its merits. Please contact us in this regard.
25. Can I use the Rhodes University Library, computer facilities and gym facilities for the two weeks that I am in Makhanda (Grahamstown)?
Yes, you are a registered student. In addition, the Rhodes University library is fully online so you can access it 24/7 from wherever you are in the world.
26. Does Rhodes Business School offer Doctoral degrees in Business Administration?
At present we do not offer a DBA. However, students can register for a PhD at Rhodes Business School as long as they have an NQF9 MBA and there is the necessary supervisory capacity. All potential PhD candidates are required to attend a pre-PhD workshop which is charged separately from the PhD fee (assuming that you are accepted).
27. What Short Course programmes does Rhodes Business School offer?
We have three categories of short courses on offer, namely: i. Closed Corporate Courses (which are tailored for specific clients such as Barloworld, Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Engen, MMI, Sapia, SARS Spar and Standard Bank) which we offer wherever the client requires them to be conducted. ii. Public Courses which are open to the public and have a generalist flavour, but are focused on key management development needs around leadership, encompassing the functional areas of strategy, marketing, people management, finance, sustainability. Other very popular courses are project management, operations & logistics, leadership and sustainability programmes. Public courses are offered mainly in East London and Makhanda (Grahamstown). iii. MBA Aligned Courses which are only offered in Makhanda (Grahamstown). We generally reserve 5 places for non-MBA students to sit in and participate in the MBA classes. For more information on the courses please visit our website at www.ru.ac.za/businessschool or contact Ms Aviwe Petsha on +27-046-603-7363.
28. Would I find affordable accommodation? Would it be close enough to Rhodes Business School?
The average rate in Makhanda (Grahamstown) for a BnB (bed & breakfast) is roughly R600/night. This is a small town; you will be able to walk anywhere. There is a shopping mall and restaurants in walking distance from the business school. For details on accommodation, please consult the internet and tourism information. For example www.grahamstownaccomodation.co.za . The University also limited accommodation that can be accessed through the https://www.ru.ac.za/conferences/accomodation/.