WITS BUSINESS SHOOL
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
FACTSHEET: 2014
WITS Business School Information Sheet
Contact Persons:Lettie Longwe
Acting Manager International Programmes and Partnerships
Tel: +27 11717 3495
Fax: +27 11717 3920
Prof Gillian Marcelle
Director, International Programmes and Partnerships
Fax: +27 11717 3920
Wits Business School
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University of the Witwatersrand
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Physical Address: 2 St. David’s Place
Parktown
Johannesburg
2193
School Postal address (when sending documents please send to the relevant name and title followed by this address):
Wits Business School
PO Box 98
Wits 2050
South Africa
Deadline for Registration:3 months before start date
Document Requirements:University Registration form
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of Visa
- Brief CV
- Photograph
- Transcript
- Copy of Insurance Medical Cover
- Motivation Note
All documents should be sent/completely electronically, as advised.
Language of instructions: All classes are taught in English
Brief on Wits Business School (WBS)
For the past seven years, the WBS has featured at the top of a number of ranking surveys which include the Top MBA in South Africa (six years consecutively) as well as the top business school brand, in the Best Brands survey of both 2006 and 2007. In 1998 WBS became the first business school in Africa to become a member of PIM (Partnership in International Management) GMAC and is in partnership with a number of international business schools in executive education. These schools include European Institute for Business Administration (Insead) and London Business School. WBS is AMBA accredited and is also a member of the African Association of Business Schools.
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The Wits Business School is acknowledged as the leading business school in Africa. Seated at the business capital of the continent and deeply rooted in the African environment, Wits Business School programmes are driven by leading edge business concepts that draw on both local and international best practice, while it’s highly interactive approach to learning gives a world-class orientation.
Programmes offered at Wits Business School
The following programmes are offered on block release for two weeks intensive classes.
- MBA
- MM BY RESEARCH
- PDM
- PHD
- MASTER OF MANAGEMENT IN BUSINESS EXCUTIVE COACHING
- MASTER OF MANAGEMENT IN FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
- MASTER OF MANAGEMENT IN INNOVATION STUDIES
- MM IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND NEW VENTURE CREATION
- MASTER OF MANAGEMENT IN STRATEGIC MARKETING
Master of Business Administration
- This is a two year full-time and four year part-time programme;
- For the full-time programme, students are offered 12 months of course work and a subsequent 12 months of research work; and
- For the part-time programme, students are offered 24 months of course work and a subsequent 24 months of research work.
All courses, except for Attendance ones, are 22.5 contact lecture hours.
In addition, students are expected to spend 2 hours on preparation for every contact hour in the classroom i.e. an additional 45 hours per course. Preparation time would typically include: general background reading, prescribed readings, case studies, individual assignments, syndicate (group) meetings and assignments and studying for examinations.
Master of Management by Research
- This programme is aimed for students with an Honours degree who wished to further develop their graduate qualifications in a management-related field;
- The degree is awarded on the basis of a supervised thesis.
- This is a one year full-time or two year part-time case-based executive programme;
- It aims to develop a broad and deep understanding of all aspects of business management.
- The degree is awarded on the basis of a thesis that constitutes a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the subject chosen; and
- This degree demands the capacity to pursue independent research and analysis at the highest level.
- The degree is aligned to the Graduate school of Alliance for Executive Coaching (GSAEC) framework for Coaching Qualifications at University Level;
- The programme was introduced in response to the rapid global growth of the Coaching Industry over the last five years;
- The curriculum equip people to operate as business and executive coaches within organisations and in private practice;
- It is a two year part-time programme covering four modules per year; and
- Students are required to attend lectures for one week every quarter.
- The programme is for high intelligent and motivated individuals with relevant undergraduate degrees in e.g. Business, economics, engineering, mathematics, statistics and law, who seek to pursue careers in specific areas of finance either as practitioners or researchers;
- This one year full-time and two year part-time degree requires a set of core courses, track-oriented courses, and a programme thesis; and
- The programme is a block-release based programme that equally accommodates students who are working and needing to tool-up quickly for career advancement in the finance field.
- The programme is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the theoretical and practical issues associated with entrepreneurship; and
- The degree also provides a thorough introduction to issues associated with corporate entrepreneurship at the firm level in a range of organisational contexts.
- This is a newly introduced two year part-time academic programme with a combination of coursework (50%) and a dissertation in Marketing (50%);
- The course is designed for students who have studied marketing at the undergraduate level, and wish to further their studies in advanced business and marketing concepts; and
- It is aimed for practising marketers with marketing qualifications and experience who wish to further develop their careers in marketing.
- Innovation is playing an increasing role in economic growth and development and affecting all sectors of a society. In recent decades, the imperative to respond to climate change and other pressures on human civilisation has meant that there is increased attention on environmental sustainability and producing solutions that respond to these concerns;
- This will require a generation of policy makers, scholars and business leaders who have an understanding of the drivers of innovation and a concern for equitable, human-centred development;
- The programme is designed for individuals with relevant undergraduate degrees (in for example, business, economic, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, law) who intend to pursue careers in specific areas of innovation management or innovation policy in business, academia, development institutions or other civil society organisations. It is offered as a two year full time programme in block release mode.
Elective Courses
Not all electives nor all elective streams will be offered each year – a selection of some of the electives that may be offered are:
- Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Operations and Technology
- Organisational Behaviour
- Strategy and International Business
- General Management
- Marketing
- Sustainable Development
- Advanced Information Systems
- Brand Management
- Business French
- Business Forecasting
- Business Strategy in Asia
- Competitive Intelligence
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate Law
- Cross Cultural Management (African Leadership)
- Customer Relationship Management
- Developments in Financial Management
- E-Commerce
- Entrepreneurship
- Environment of Business
- Equity Investing
- Ethics & Governance
- Executive Coaching
- Financial Derivatives
- HIV/AIDS in the Workplace
- Human Resources Information Systems
- Industry Foresight & Business Future Strategy
- International Finance
- Investments
- Issues in Leadership
- Interactive Planning
- Industry and Competitor Analysis
- International Marketing
- International Business
- International Economics
- International Management and Culture
- Investments
- Managing Business Risk
- Managing Corporate Data
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- New Ventures
- Negotiation
- Personal Mastery Creativity & Innovation at Work
- Philosophy of Management
- Private Equity
- Contemporary Issues in Science, Technology and Innovation
- Perspectives on Organisations and Innovation Management
- Innovation as a Response to Global Sustainability Challenges
- Profiles of Leadership
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Taxation
- Total Quality Management
- Storytelling in Organisations
- Strategic Finance
- Strategic Golf
- Strategic Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- The Customer Focused Organisation
Three months prior to the commencement of classes each quarter. Students may enrol for any of the four quarters.
Application and Registration Process
Exchange students are selected by their home institutions and once confirmation of their selection has been received they will be sent an information packet. Registration for courses takes place on arrival at Wits Business School.
Visas
Exchange students are required to apply for a study permit / visa at the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in their country of residence or country of origin for stays of longer than 90 days. For stays less than 90 days exchange students are required to apply for a Visitors Permit.
In addition to financial and medical reports, students will need to submit a letter of acceptance to study at Wits and proof of accommodation. The latter two documents are sent to students by the International Programmes & Partnerships Unit. Check the following website for information on your closest SA Consulate etc.:
Health Insurance
It is compulsory for all international students to have full medical insurance cover from a South African medical insurer if their stay is longer than 90 days. The University has negotiated a favourable deal with a couple of Medical Insurance companies.
This is obtainable on arrival at Wits.
The Campus Health & Wellness Centre offers comprehensive medical services.
Learning Expectations
Class format: Lecture, case study, discussion, team project and presentations. The high level of classroom participation, group work and interaction among students and faculty mean that exchange students must be proficient in English (speaking, reading and writing).
Attendance:Mandatory
Class size:10 – 65 (smaller classes for elective courses)
Course load:3 courses per quarter recommended for students whose home language is not English. No prescribed minimum or maximum number of courses though – students must satisfy the requirements of their home institution. The number of lecture hours per course is 22.5.
Grading:Based on class participation, individual and team assignments (projects), and presentations, case analyses and a final examination written at the end of the quarter. A percentage grading system is used with the final course grade based on a five symbol scale (A - D, F). A conversion of grades table will be supplied with the student’s academic transcript.
International Student Exchange Programmes
- Wits Business School has the most extensive student exchange programme in Africa that is facilitated through a network of over 40 of the world’s top business schools in PIM Partnership in International Management(PIM). The school has a reciprocal exchange agreements with a further ten top business schools outside the PIM network;
- Wits Business School is the only business school in Africa admitted to PIM;
- In the case of student exchange, students do not pay any tuition fees to the international partner school; and
- For the inbound students, Wits Business School offers two well-equipped residences located on campus.
General Environment
Wits Business School is situated approximately 1.5 km from the main Wits campus in the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Parktown. Facilities on the attractive WBS campus include modern lecture and syndicate rooms, auditoriums, computer labs, a cafeteria and one of the leading management libraries in South Africa.
Students have access to University facilities on the main campus as well.
Housing
Secure, on-campus accommodation is provided for exchange students.
Accommodation is available comprising units/apartments. Early booking is however advised to secure. Application deadline: 3 months before arrival.
Each person has his or her own furnished room with hand basin and fridge. The kitchen, bathroom and lounge facilities are shared. The units are fully equipped except for linen and are serviced once a week. It does have satellite TV. Parking is available and there is a 24-hour security service on campus. Housing is arranged through the International Programmes & Partnerships Unit prior to arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cost Estimates (in US $1,192 – approx. per month)
Accommodation: $442 per month
Food: $200 per month
Transport: $300 per month to rent a car
Books: $80 - $150 per book
Health insurance: $100 per month (insurance)
Materials:Course materials are free of charge for exchange students (as isE-mail and Internet access within the lecture rooms)
Miscellaneous: additional costs
Sports Facilities
Two tennis courts, swimming pools and a squash court are available on the WBS campus. However, a large number of sports clubs, societies and recreational facilities are within walking distance on the main Wits campus. Exchange students pay on a pro-rata basis to join these clubs and use the sports facilities.
General
International students are housed together and often socialise and travel/sightsee in groups. South Africans are hospitable and fellow classmates frequently invite exchange students on outings over and above those organised by the class.
Restaurants and banks are across the road and large shopping malls are situated 4–8 km from the Business School. Public transport in SA is available but not so efficient. There are other means of transport such as buses, Gautrain and taxis, though slightly more expensive. For more tips and information on living in SA check the site:
Advice
The Rand/Dollar or Euro exchange rate is very favourable for students coming to South Africa so accommodation, meals out, clothes, travelling and entertainment will be less than in the USA or Europe. The exception is the purchase of new or used cars and exchange students often opt to hire a car (and share expenses) for the duration of their stay.
It’s best to organise an international driver’s license applicable to South Africa in your home country. In South Africa driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
Crime: As in any large city, students need to take common-sense precautions for their personal safety.
Wits Business School MBA Exchange Students from Bocconi University, Italy, HEC, Paris, France, Kelley School of Business Indiana University, USA and University of St Gallen, Switzerland out and about April, 2013.
Good luck with your application. We look forward to hosting you at Wits Business School in the near future!
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