Modular MBA

Programme Coordinator: Prof. Jaloni Pansiri, Phone: 355-2235, Building/Room: 245/105, Email: pansirij@ub.ac.bw

The Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) is internationally recognized as a key qualification for senior corporate managers in today's changing technological, cultural, political and economic environment. These changes include increasing globalisation of business and technology, presenting opportunities and challenges in the new millennium. In order to take advantage of the opportunities and to deal with the challenges in our fast changing turbulent environment, organizations require knowledgeable and skilled managers with sharp decision making skills, innovation, confidence and vision.

The MBA Programmes consists of sixteen (16) semester courses, comprising twelve (12) compulsory core courses and four (4) optional courses in addition to a compulsory dissertation. Each semester course consists of 75 workload hours over a semester or the equivalent in modular delivery. The normal duration of the full-time MBA programme shall be a minimum of three (3) semesters (1.5 years), and a maximum of 12 semesters, and 1.5 years for the Modular and EMBA.

Foundation courses

To support participants with non-business first degrees and backgrounds, the new MBA and EMBA introduced six optional courses (1.5 credits each) and an integrating case study (1 credit) prior to the commencement of the MBA programmes. The aim is to bring students up to a required minimum level of competencies, so that the learning experience of business experienced participants in the graduate MBA programmes is not compromised. These courses are: Principles and Practices of Management, Principles of Marketing, Quantitative Analysis for Business, Information Technology for Managers, Economic Concepts for Management.

Core Courses and Research Project/Dissertation

Students must take and pass (55%) the following twelve (12) compulsory core courses. Students also have to undertake and pass a compulsory research project dissertation of 600 hours simultaneously to or after the coursework of the programme.

Optional Courses

Students must then take and pass four (4) optional courses chosen from a menu of 38 elective courses from the sub disciplines of Business Intelligence Et IT, Sales, Marketing Et Procurement, Trade and Logistics, Leadership Et Capacity Building, Financial Management, and Tourism Et Hospitality Management. The Faculty of Business also offer elective modules comprising three courses suited to support an integrating 3 credit Mini Group Project or Workshop.

Core Programme Structure  (for the General MBA)

The MBA Programme

The UB's full/part-time and modular MBA as well as the modular EMBA are career development generalist degrees. The curriculum provides students with a rigorous and critical grounding in key core and functional areas of business and their inter-relationships. Integrative, interactive and global outlook are the key philosophical drivers behind the curriculum. It further puts emphasis on developing leadership through strategic management with a significant practical and professional orientation. In full compliance with all relevant standards, the programme offers the students the intellectual and practical knowledge required to enhance their competitiveness in the national and global market.

Entrance Qualification

Admission into the MBA Programme is highly competitive. Places are limited, and typically about 30% of all applicants currently gain admission.

Entrance Qualifications (for the General MBA)

41.3.1 The normal minimum entrance requirement for the full/part-time MBA shall be one of the following:

(a) An undergraduate degree in any discipline from this or any other recognized university or institution of higher learning, having earned at least a GPA of 2.8 out of 4.00 scale; or 3.00 out of a 5.00 scale, second class, second division, or its equivalent coupled with at least three years appropriate work experience; or

(b) Relevant professional or postgraduate qualifications deemed equivalent to at least a 2.8 GPA [2(ii)] degree by the Faculty of Business coupled with at least three years appropriate work experience; or

(c) An undergraduate degree at a pass division or equivalent coupled with a postgraduate diploma at credit level or above and at least three years appropriate work experience; or

(d) An undergraduate degree at pass division or equivalent coupled with at least 5 years relevant experience.

The Faculty of Business recognizes the educational benefits of having a diversified group of MBA students; hence selection aims to achieve a balance of participants from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.

Entrance Qualifications (for the EMBA)

41.3.2 The normal minimum entrance requirement for the modular Executive MBA shall be one of the following:

a) An undergraduate degree in any discipline from this or any other recognized University or institution of higher learning;

or

b) Relevant professional or postgraduate qualifications deemed equivalent to at least a 2.8 GPA [2(ii)] Degree by the Faculty of Business

and

c) A minimum of 5 years' relevant postgraduate professional experience and a proven management track record (managerial experience of minimum two years) in the public or private sector.

d) In certain situations, applicants may also be required to take part in an interview.

Part-time and Modular Mode

The part-time and modular modes cover the same curriculum and class room hours as the full-time MBA, but have been designed to meet the needs of participants who are working while they study. While the part-time MBA provides easy access to citizens in the wider Gaborone area, participants in Botswana and the region can cherish the convenient access the modular delivery mode provides. An additional modular Executive MBA (EMBA) demanding further working experience will provide a stimulating environment for more senior managers and administrators. Although structure and the associated workload hours are the same in all MBAs, a number of measures have been taken to suit the Executive version to the particular needs of the more experienced clientele.

Core Programme Structure  (for the EMBA)