Curriculum 

• Curriculum Overview
• Personal Leadership Development
• Genesis
• Business Analysis and Communication Skills (BAC)
  
• Core Courses
• Elective Courses
• Compulsory Global Module
• Concluding Module
• Programme Assessment

Our MBA curriculum creates an opportunity for you to become a well rounded and effective manager by exploring the dimensions of strategy, the business environment, functional areas of business and decision-making techniques.  At the same time you will gain a fuller understanding of the foundations for leadership, foundations for business, business integration and global management. 

The GIBS MBA is completed over two years. GIBS offers students a choice of attending either a modular block release programme or a part-time evening programme, which enable you to complete your studies in a set time period while continuing to further your career. Both are offered on the GIBS Illovo campus.
The structure of the GIBS MBA allows you to apply your knowledge back into your work environment and keep you in touch with the constant changes affecting business. The two-year programme includes core courses, electives, the compulsory global module and an integrative business research project. The GIBS MBA enjoys a high completion rate as the integrative business research project must be completed within the two-year programme.

Our MBA curriculum creates an opportunity for you to become a well rounded and effective manager by exploring the dimensions of strategy, the business environment, functional areas of business and decision-making techniques.  At the same time, you will gain a fuller understanding of the foundations for leadership and for business, business integration and global management.

Knowledge in Action: A variety of methodologies will be used to assess you. The nature of the assessment tool varies with each subject and is linked to the specific learning objectives. The core courses are formally examined, usually through open book exams. The elective course’s assessment is largely based on original individual work. Every GIBS MBA student is placed within a syndicate group in which valuable networks are developed and learnings gained. You will also become skilled at interacting with a group of diverse individuals from whom you will gain insights and experience overall.

Blended Learning: An effective MBA does not just provide knowledge in all disciplines required to run a business.  It also provides practical, experience-based business skills, personal leadership skills and it challenges your world view on a variety of issues. The objective of GIBS’ interactive lecturing, using case studies and applied business projects, is business education.  However, it also develops competencies such as communication, strategic thinking, decision-making, team building, project planning and management, negotiating skills and diversity process skills.

In order to be granted the GIBS MBA degree, students must:
• Meet the minimum requirements for the core courses and electives;
• Attend the full compulsory global module; and
• Obtain a minimum of 50% in the integrative business research project. 

Personal Leadership Development

GIBS alumni often comment that their MBA experience was so much more than an intellectual journey; they became more effective leaders through personal change and growth. As a result, the GIBS MBA curriculum includes a leadership assessment and development (LEAD) workshop held over two days in late 2012. Please see schedules for dates. All accepted MBA students are required to attend the two-day workshop prior to commencing the MBA in 2013. Both days commence at 08h00 and end at 17h30 and take place at the GIBS campus. Students are allocated to a group which they are required to attend.  Drawing on a range of self-assessment and feedback processes you will identify your strengths and leadership style and create a learning contract to focus on your development goals throughout the MBA. There will be opportunities to revisit this midway through the first year and at the end of the programme to consolidate feedback from your syndicate members and carry your self-insight, leadership strengths and skills portfolio into your future career. 

You can begin the process now by visiting our online career mentor at http://www.next.gibs.co.za/.

Genesis

This six-day module introduces the GIBS MBA and orientates it in the context of South Africa, Africa and the world and builds on the compulsory LEAD module that all GIBS MBA students are required to complete. Specifically, these modules provide you with the opportunity to engage and interact with your class mates, GIBS faculty and invited guest speakers around the experiences and issues that contribute to the value of your GIBS MBA. This module has been broken down into topic areas which highlight different aspects of the GIBS MBA. Genesis takes place prior to your first module and runs over four full days, from 08h00 until 17h30 daily. 

Business Analysis and Communication Skills (BAC)

BAC, which addresses the effective communication and writing skills which are required on an MBA level, also takes place prior to your first module and takes place over two full days, from 08h00 until 17h30. Students are taught about case study analysis and how to put your thoughts down on paper. This part of your MBA is accessed throughout your studies and a mark for this course will reflect on the UP transcript at the end of your studies.  

Click here to view the MBA Experience

CORE COURSES

The GIBS MBA programme consists of three core courses. The three core courses offered to students are Foundations for Leadership, Foundations for Business and Business Integration.

Foundations for Leadership

This core course is divided into three different modules:

1. The Competitive Organisation
2. The South African Business Environment
3. Business Analysis and Communication

Foundations for Business
 
The Foundations for Business core course is made up of eight different courses:

1. Microeconomics: Prices and Markets
2. Macroeconomics: National Competitiveness
3. Human Behaviour and Performance in South Africa
4. Financial Accounting
5. Management Accounting
6. Marketing
7. Information and Knowledge Management
8. Analytical Tools and Techniques

Business Integration

The Business Integration course consists of four divisions, each with its own courses:

Strategy

1. Entrepreneurship
2. Corporate Strategy

Business Environment

3. Environment of Business

Business Functions

4. Leading People for Results
5. Operations Management
6. Managing for Results
7. Corporate Finance
8. Organisational  Development and Transformation

Decisions Techniques

9. Research Methodology
10. Applied Decision-Making

Elective Courses

Once all core subjects are completed the evening and modular groups merge to attend five electives of their choice (subject to availability). These elective classes are held over four full days for both evening and modular students. More  information on the elective choices will be given at the end of year one of your studies.

Compulsory Global Module

Globally Relevant : The compulsory global module is a distinctive element of the GIBS MBA programme. The global module takes place in your second year of study and potential destinations include India, Latin America, China and the East and West Coasts of the USA 

The compulsory global module allows students to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges offered by the various countries. Each destination is linked to global best practice and allows you the opportunity to study first-hand how your peers in diverse markets operate, offering insights that are unobtainable to many executives. Inputs from international faculty at leading business schools, site visits to multinational companies and exposure to new and vibrant cultures make for an enlightening journey. Upon completion of your global module, your team will produce a multimedia presentation which will be shared with your class to ensure that all students benefit from the experiences gained.

Concluding moduleThis is the finale to the two-year programme and combines strategic inputs from leaders in business and society, with discussion and reflection on personal and career goals, and a view of South Africa’s future and the challenges we face. The format of this two-day programme includes:

• Panel discussions by business leaders on the key challenges facing South Africa and South African business in the next five to ten years
• Syndicate discussions and presentations
• Reflection sessions
• MBA programme review.

Programme assesment

Each core and elective course will be assessed using a variety of methodologies, which will include individual and/or group assignments, applied projects, an assessment of class participation and examinations.

For more information regarding the assessment of the MBA programme, visit the Programme Assessment page.