Frequently Asked Questions
Rhodes Business School
Updated: 30 August 2011
1. Is your MBA Accredited?
We are fully accredited by the Council on Higher Education. We are members of the South African Business Schools Association (SABSA) as well as the Business School Partners Network (BSPN). Rhodes Business School abides by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). We are in the process of seeking international accreditation.
2. What are Rhodes Business School's admission requirements?
Applicants should normally have at least a three year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent M+ 3 qualifications), have a minimum of three years’ full-time relevant work experience, be proficient in English and have obtained a pass in Mathematics at the level of Matric or equivalent, in the School Leavers’ assessment.
3. I do not have a degree, should I still apply?
Under exceptional circumstances, we do consider applicants on the basis of their ‘prior learning’ and work experience. All applications that fall within this category are treated on their own merits.
4. How do I apply?
Visit our website at www.ru.ac.za/businessschool and download the relevant application forms. Alternatively, an application pack can be posted to you. You can request this by emailing Ms Ros Parker at r.parker@ru.ac.za or Ms Selina Morison at s.morison@ru.ac.za or telephone us on +27 (0)46 603 8617.
5. What documents must I submit with my application?
You must pay careful attention to what documents we require, but in short we will require an application to Rhodes Business School (headed Form 1), an application to Rhodes University (headed Form 2), two referees' reports (headed Form 3. 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 two colour passport photographs.
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.
7. What is the deadline for application?
Applications must be submitted at the latest by the 31 October.
8. How long after you have applied would you know the status of my application?
We normally work on a 4 week turn-around time for the applications’ review and approval, so students generally receive their responses by end November.
9. Will I be required to write an admissions test?
Normally candidates will only be admitted to the programme if they hold at least a three year bachelor’s degree in any discipline, are fluent in English, have passed Mathematics at the school leavers’ level, and have had at least three years relevant practical experience. All applicants are required to sit the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or a South African equivalent (NBT) http://nbt.ac.za. If you take the NBT test, you are only required to sit the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) test (not the Mathematics test). 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 test, send in your application with a covering letter notifying us of the date of your NBT test, and let us have the results as soon as you have them. Details of dates and venues where the NBT can be written, can be found at http://www.nbt.ac.za/index.php/where-can-i-write
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 dissertation accounts for 30% of the total credits. The degree is offered on a part-time, modular basis over two and a half years. In the first two years, candidates are required to attend three two-week teaching blocks in Grahamstown each year and to complete work-based assignments in the periods between the teaching blocks. The final six months is dedicated to the completion of the dissertation. The Rhodes Business School’s essence is “Leadership for Sustainability” and hence leadership and sustainability principles underline all subjects in the MBA curriculum. Emphasis is placed on business continuity, as well as achieving a balance between economic, social and environmental sustainability (the Triple Bottom Line). The Business School has committed itself to abide by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). Normally candidates will only be admitted to the programme if they hold at least a three year bachelor’s degree in any discipline, are fluent in English, have passed Mathematics at the school leavers’ level, and have had at least three years relevant practical experience.
Although we do not have a formal full-time programme, we do offer an accelerated programme of study, whereby the course work can be completed in about a year and a half. Truly disciplined students can complete the degree in two 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.
In Year 1, the subjects are, by Teaching Block (TB) as follows: (TB1: 17 to 30 January 2012) Academic & Personal Skills, Principles of Sustainability, Macroeconomics; (TB2: 3 to 16 May 2012) Financial Accounting, Marketing, Microeconomics; (TB3: 6 to 19 September 2012) Financial Management, Strategic Management, Quantitative Decision-Making A. (Note if you have not passed any tertiary level Financial Accounting, then it is compulsory that you also do the Fundamentals of Accounting course in Year 1 which is done at the end of TB1).
In Year 2, the subjects are (TB1) Leadership, Research Methodology, Quantitative Decision Making B; (TB2) People Management, Operations Management and either Management Accounting or Environmental Law; (TB3) Project Management or Environmental Economics, Entrepreneurship or Tools for Sustainability, Knowldge Management or Climate Change & Resource Efficiency Management. We also offer an International Option, in place of two electives, whereby you can study abroad (at your own cost) at institutions where we have an exchange agreement.
These are reviewed and updated annually.
12. Am I required to submit a dissertation?
As this is a Masters degree, all students are required to submit a dissertation of 15 000 words. You can commence your dissertation immediately after completing the Research Methodology component in the first teaching block of year two. The dissertation MUST be submitted by 15 June of Year 3 of your studies.
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. Fundamentals of Financial Accounting) and prospective MBA students might want to enrol in these prior to starting the MBA programme.
14. I have completed the first year 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?
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 50 students each year.
16. How much does your MBA programme cost?
The course fee for the entire MBA programme is approximately R100 000 in today's money, which is payable as follows: R40 000 in 2011, R40 000 (plus inflation adjustment) in 2012 and R20 000 (plus inflation adjustment) in 2013.
Please note that students have four options for payment:
(i) paying the Minimum Initial Payment for tuition fees by 20 December (50%) as set out below, the balance of fees (50%) to be paid by 31 May; OR
(ii) making a single cash or cheque payment of the full tuition fee prior to 20 January. A 5% discount may be claimed in writing in this instance if paid in full; OR
(iii) arranging payment by debit order with 10 monthly instalments from 1 February to 1 November. The debit order application form, obtainable from the Student Bureau, must be signed by the person whose bank account is to be debited and returned to the Student Fees Office by 7 January 2011. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The facility must be approved prior to registration. This facility must be renewed every year. In the event of any instalment being dishonoured, the debit order facility may be cancelled by the University, in which event the conditions contained in paragraph (i) above will apply and fees must be paid in full by 31 May. All bank charges will be for the student’s account. The University may, at the discretion of the Director of Finance, decline to make this facility available to any student. This option is not available to international students.
(iv)those on the Persal system, can apply for a loan from Eduloan.
Please note: Foreign students outside of the Rand Monetary Area have to pay the academic year fee in full (i.e. Option 2)
17. What is the demographic profile of an average class?
For the 2010 class, the average age is 37, the oldest student is 60 and the youngest is 24. 42% are female. 43% of the class are married and 43% have children.
18. Does Rhodes Business School offer financial aid?
No, we regret that we do not offer financial aid for this programme. Most of our candidates are fortunate to get bursaries from their employers.
However, you can have a look at possible financial aid (including bursary) options/opportunities each year at Rhodes University (http://www.ru.ac.za/studentfunding)
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. Tell me about the examinations.
Examinations are normally three hours and are generally open book format. You are required to write them in Grahamstown.
21. 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 sub-minimum 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
22. 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.
23. 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 Namibia and Swaziland. These students must make the application in the normal way. However, please note that you will be required to write the GMAT at the nearest designated centre to you. Although not all of these questions here are relevant to our international MBA students, please look at the University’s FAQ section (see the link below): http://www.ru.ac.za/international/internationalstudents/frequentlyaskedquestions
24. I was offered a place onto the Rhodes Business School programme previously. Due to financial constraints 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 Grahamstown?
Yes, you are a registered student.
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 MBA and there is the necessary supervisory capacity.
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, Daimler-Chrysler, Engen, Enviroserv, Spar) 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 Grahamstown
iii. MBA Aligned Courses which are only offered in 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 Nicole Craig on +27-046-603-8852.
28. Would I find affordable accommodation? Would it be close enough to Rhodes Business School?
The average rate in Grahamstown for a BnB (bed & breakfast) is roughly R400/night. This is a small town; you will be able to walk anywhere. A list of establishments that students use on a regular basis is available if requested. For details on accommodation, please consult the internet and tourism information.
