Why should I do an MBA at NMMU? 

A defining feature of the “NMMU MBA” is our focus on leadership development which spans throughout the programme.

Our leadership development programme forms the backbone of our MBA and infuses leadership development throughout our MBA modules.

The NMMU MBA is specifically designed to foster strong decisive leaders armed with business acumen and theoretical knowledge backed by a willingness to take risks and follow their instincts in order to “make it happen”.

We, at the NMMU Business School, believe that theory is nothing without practice and that ideas cannot come alive without action. Working in small syndicate groups with an experienced cohort of professors, lecturers, high profile guest speakers and fellow students you will operate at a senior management level, steering your management team through an ever-changing panorama of challenges that impact on real world business.

Our MBA programme provides an intensive environment where dynamic professionals are grounded in the vital disciplines of business management. It challenges you to think and act creatively. The programme is stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable. You will learn alongside other business leaders of the future and will develop self-discipline, self-awareness and other important leadership qualities.

Who is the MBA designed for?

The MBA Programme is designed for those looking to take their careers to the next level.

Choose an MBA if you are seeking:

• A rapid promotion in your chosen career
  
• A change in career, industry and/or both
  
• The tools to succeed as a senior manager, leader or entrepreneur

Class profile

The 96 students in the class of MBA 2010 were hand-picked from 157 applications.

Prospective MBA applicants should:

• Hold a university degree or national diploma from an accredited institution
  
• Possess a minimum of three years professional experience in a business environment or five years relevant working experience

Further application information can be found under Admission Criteria and Application Process.

Accreditation & MBA rankings

Accreditation

Accreditation bodies provide independent validation that module content facilities and teaching quality of MBA programmes meet certain standards.

The NMMU MBA was accredited by the HEQC (Higher Education Quality Committee) in South Africa to meet certain minimum standards for MBA programmes.

MBA rankings

The NMMU Business School was rated second in South Africa in the category Excellent Business Schools by the international organisation EDUNIVERSAL who ranked the top 1 000 Business Schools in the world. The NMMU Business School further received an overall SA rating of 6^th with the five largest Business Schools in South Africa in the first five places. Ten other Business Schools received a rating below that of NMMU. EDUNIVERSAL was formed in 2007 and aims to provide students around the world with assistance in selecting the best universities in specific fields.

Financial Mail Markinor Results - 2009

Last years results for our school were extremely encouraging, for example:

Value for Money:

Schools best rated by business for:

• Course Relevance;  Gibbs, Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela
• Course Customization:  Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela
• Lecturers:  Nelson Mandela, Cape Town

Top three schools, rated by their own graduates:

• Relevance of programme:  Gibbs, Henley, Nelson Mandela
• Research supervisory support:  Nelson Mandela, Henley, Gibbs

Different MBA options

The NMMU Business School offers the same MBA programme delivered as three different options.

The MBA can be studied as an 18 month full-time programme, part-time over 3 years or by
block-release, also over 3 years.

The MBA programme aims to teach management and leadership techniques as effectively as possible whilst at the same time developing skills in applying their theoretical knowledge. A variety of learning and presentation methods are therefore employed which include the following:

• Formal lectures
  
• Analyses of case studies
  
• Guest speakers
  
• Facilitated group discussions and teamwork
  
• Presentation of group assignments and
  
• Conducting applied research on real business problems.

Classes for the part-time and full-time programme are held weekly according to a pre-determined time table and consist of four 3-hour sessions per week for the full-time classes and two 3-hour evening sessions per week for part-time classes. The block-release programme is offered by way of 3 study visits of 4 full days by students to the Port Elizabeth campus per year, as well as three day visits by lecturers to student centres a year and video conference sessions every second Saturday to student centres in George, East London and Pretoria.

Working in syndicate groups is an essential element of our MBA programme. We emphasize teamwork because it is a realistic replication of the way in which management and leadership issues are handled in the business world. By being part of a student group where members come from different cultural, educational and professional backgrounds, candidates learn to harness the strength of diversity and achieve synergies in business analyses and problem solving.

MBA syllabus 

The MBA programme is a contemporary and challenging programme, comprising of twelve core modules, three elective modules, a leadership development programme and a treatise.

The core modules and their content are:

• Marketing Management
• Organisational Behaviour
• Quantitative Techniques for Management
• Management Accounting Aspects
• Management Economics
• Human Resource Strategies
• International Management
• Financial Management
• Operations Management
• Research Methodology
• Leadership
• Strategic Management

You will be required to choose any three of the following electives:

• Agricultural Policy
• Advanced Agricultural Management
• Business Ethics
• Conflict Management
• Economics of the Motor Industry
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Management
• Intergrated African Leadership
• International Financing
• Management of Technology
• Project Management
• Quality Management
• World Class Manufacturing and Strategic Supply

Our Leadership Project forms the backbone of the MBA and infuses leadership development in all our MBA modules.

It includes the following elements:

• A psychometric assessment of leadership competencies
  
• A personal development plan to address deficiencies identified in the psychometric tests
  
• Theoretical grounding and application of leadership, personal development and team issues in organisational behaviour and leadership core modules
  
• Practical training on business communication and presentation skills
  
• Practical group and individual reflective interview sessions on mentoring and coaching
  
• A leadership development profile that reflects evidence of all the above-mentioned elements

Programme structure 

Our MBA programme is offered in a trimester structure with three trimesters of 12 weeks each per year.

The first trimester is from February–May. The second trimester is from May–August and the third trimester from August–November.

TRIMESTER STRUCTURE : MBA PROGRAMME PART-TIME and BLOCK RELEASE

* Compulsory Introductory Accounting module, ie: Accounting for Business – Year 1; Trimester 1

This is a compulsory introductory accounting module. Students who have successfully completed an accounting course on a tertiary level may apply for exemption from the module.

This is not a MBA credit bearing module. This module is a pre-requisite for the MBA modules Management Accounting Aspects (1^st year) and Financial Management (2^nd year)

** Compulsory Leadership Project (year module but split over 2 years)

TRIMESTER STRUCTURE : MBA PROGRAMME FULL-TIME

* Compulsory Introductory Accounting module, ie: Accounting for Business – Year 1; Trimester 1

This is a compulsory introductory accounting module. Students who have successfully completed an accounting course on a tertiary level may apply for exemption from the module.

This is not a MBA credit bearing module. This module is a pre-requisite for the MBA modules Management Accounting Aspects and Financial Management (1^st year; Trimester 2)

** Compulsory Leadership Project (year module but split over 2 trimesters)

Admissions criteria

We want to ensure that you and NMMU are a good match.

The NMMU Business School is selective in reviewing applications for admission. Yes, you’ll be investing in your future here – but we’re investing in you as well, and we want to make sure that you and the Business School are a good match, that we offer you what you require, and that you have the ability to cope with the programme and the development that the programme offers.

As we evaluate applications, we consider the following:

1) Your academic record

We look at the cumulative grade point average from each institution that you’ve attended your area of concentration, the balance of communication courses with quantitative and analytical courses and the trend of your grades.

A three year national diploma, a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent NQF6 qualification is a minimum requirement. If you are an international student, we will require documentation verifying that you’ve received the recognised equivalent of a South African bachelor’s degree.

2) Your work experience

Successful applicants will have three (3) years relevant working experience in a business or related environment or alternatively, five (5) years general working experience. We look at full-time and part-time job responsibilities and consider your skills, accomplishments, attitude for a managerial career, and knowledge of the business environment.

3) Your essay

This section of the application is your opportunity to demonstrate your writing competency and communication skills, give examples of your leadership skills, and to discuss your career goals. Provide any information that will help us to learn how you can benefit from, and contribute to the MBA programme. Your essay must be approximately 500 words.

4) Your selection test

All MBA applicants have to undergo a selection test. The NMMU Business School accepts the SHL or GMAT selection test. Both tests measure language skills, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and learning potential. The SHL’s test battery also includes a personality questionnaire. Both tests are recognised internationally.

The SHL selection test is the most preferred option for South African students while the GMAT test is more practical for international students. The SHL test takes about two and a half hours and applicants may do the SHL test by appointment at a venue determined by the NMMU Business School. The SHL test fee is R650 per student.

5) Your interview

Once you have submitted your application and completed the selection test, we will interview you on a one-on-one basis, which will be the final step in the admission process. All interviews are conducted by academic staff of the NMMU Business School. An interview gives us a chance to get to know you, your experiences and also to finally evaluate your application based on the information and test results at our disposal. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the NMMU Business School. Interviews take approximately 30 – 45 minutes and can be conducted on-campus or for the block-release students at a city near you.

Application process

It is important that you follow the following step-by-step process to ensure that your application is successful. 

1. Ensure that you have the minimum admission requirements.
   
2. Complete the electronic version of the Application Form on the website and submit it electronically.
   
3. Two formal Application Forms to study with the NMMU will automatically be sent to you, ie: NMMU Application Form for Academic Admissions and a Graduate School Application Form for Programme Selection, once we have received your online application.
   
4. The two formal Application Forms must be printed, fully completed and either delivered by hand to the:
   
   Graduate School
   NMMU Business School
   20 Bird Street
   Central
   Port Elizabeth
   
   or
   
   alternatively sent via registered mail to the:
   
   Graduate School
   PO Box 77 000
   Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
   Port Elizabeth
   6031
   
   or
   
   couriered to the:
   
   Graduate School 
   NMMU Business School
   20 Bird Street
   Central
   Port Elizabeth
   
5. The following must accompany your applications:
   
   - Certified copies of your academic qualification as well as academic records
   - Certified copy of your South African identity document
   - Certified copy of your senior certificate
   - Marriage certificate (ladies only)
   
   
6. A non-refundable application fee must accompany your application. Please see Programme Fees for more information on fees.
   
   Payment can be made by way of cheque, made payable to the
   
   Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
   
   or
   
   by direct bank deposit as follows:
   
   ABSA (PE Central)
   Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
   Current Account
   Account No: 164 000 0046
   Branch Code: 630117
   Reference: MBA, your full name & surname
   
   Proof of bank deposit must be included in your application.
   
7. Psychometric and Personality Tests and Interviews
   
   Your application will be submitted to the Head of Department for review and approval for a psychometric and personality test based on the candidate meeting the required entry requirements.
   
   Candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application via e-mail after which they will need to book and pay for the SHL test.  For further details kindly contact Mrs Chrystal Coetzer at Tel: 0861 504 500 or E-mail:  Chrystal.Coetzer@nmmu.ac.za

SHL fees can be paid through a direct bank deposit as follows:
ABSA Bank
NMMU
Current Account No:  164 000 0046
Branch code:  630117
Reference:  EM06 4275 MBA and your full name & surname

1. A final decision regarding your application and admission will be communicated by way of a letter not later than 7 days after your interview appointment. Information about registration will also be provided with this letter.
   
   
2. A down payment is payable before registration and this deposit will be deducted from the full programme fee. Please see Programme Fees for more information.
   
   
3. The first closing date for applications is 30 October of each year. This will enable you to make sure that your admission process is finalised, and that you receive the outcome before the December recess.

Late applications can be accepted until 20 January, but available places on the programme cannot be
guaranteed.

No late applications for international students will be accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Please take a little time to read through the following questions and answers – they could be of great help to you.

What are the fees? (estimates)

Estimated R72 652 for 2010 – 2012 (Part-time and Block Release)

Estimated R72 652 for 2010 – 2011 (Full-time)

Estimated R111 032 for 2010 – 2011 (International)

What is the closing date for applications?

The first closing date for application is 30 October of each year. This will enable you to ensure that your admission process is finalised and that you receive the outcome before the December recess. Late applications will close on 20 January but a place for successful students on the programme cannot be guaranteed for late applicants. No late applications for international students will be accepted.

How long will the application process take before I will have a final answer?

It will take between 15 – 30 days from the moment that you hand in your completed application to receive a written letter from us informing you about the result.

Please take note that the interview process will only take place in October of each year, although you can complete and hand in/post your application in any time of the year. The testing and interview process will only start on the 15^tth of October of each year.

What is the first step in the application process?

The first step is to complete and submit the on-line Application Form.

When does the programme start?

The programme starts in the first week of February of each year and an academic year consists of three 12 week trimesters. The first trimester starts in February; the 2^nd trimester May and the 3^rd trimester August. There is a recess from December – January.

How many classes will I have to attend each week?

Full-time students attend 4 evening classes per week from 17:30 – 20:30. Part time students attend 2 classes per week from 17:30 – 20:30. Block release students attend video conferencing classes every second Saturday morning and attend three study visits of 3 days each – at the NMMU Business School, Bird Street Campus, Port Elizabeth.

What do I have to pay and when?

You will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee of R160 with your application and a fee of R650 for your test. If you are accepted you will be required to pay a deposit of R2 000 before registration. This down payment will be deducted from your total fees. You will be personally responsible to purchase your textbooks. These will be available from the University Bookstore.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes, the NMMU MBA fees can be paid in three instalments per year, which makes it a very affordable option for students who are not being sponsored.

How much work is involved – hours per week?

A typical week for a full time/part time MBA student will consist of 12 hours and 6 hours contact teaching hours respectively. In addition, the full time students will need to spend at least another 28 hours and the part time students another 12 hours per week working on your own or in your study group.

Can I receive credits for modules completed in other qualifications on a Masters level?

The Higher Education Qualification Committee (HEQC) allows accredited MBA programmes to only afford credits for MBA modules completed on another accredited MBA Programme. Credits to a maximum of 8 of the 15 MBA modules can be obtained in this way.

How can a MBA from the NMMU help me in my career?

The benefits of earning a MBA are numerous. Our MBA graduates often earn promotions and incremental income thereafter.