Best Business Schools In South Africa | Top 10 MBAs

The best business schools in South Africa offer accredited, English-taught MBA programs at a fraction of the cost of Europe or North America.

Yet despite their low cost, South African business schools are increasingly offering a high-quality education that matches up well against any MBA in the world. The country’s top programs have featured in global top 100 rankings such as QS and the Financial Times in recent years.

Here are the 10 best business schools in South Africa that offer MBA programs, according to Eduniversal.

10. University of Limpopo: Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership (TGSL MBA)

Location: Polokwane

The MBA admissions requirements at TGSL are competitive. You must hold a postgraduate / honors degree (NQF Level 8) or equivalent, have at least three years of managerial experience, and submit a CV and letter of support from your employer.

9. University of Kwazulu-Natal: Graduate School of Business and Leadership

Location: Westville

University of Kwazulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership offers an Online MBA alongside its various business masters programs. The program takes two years to complete, with lectures taking place four evenings a week, from Monday to Friday. 

The MBA modules are regularly updated to reflect the latest market trends and cover all of the business fundamentals (finance, leadership, marketing, management, strategy and the like). After students have fulfilled the compulsory modules, they will complete a business research project to conclude the program.

To apply for the MBA you must be at least 25 years old on January 1st of the year that you register, have at least three years of formal work experience and hold a bachelor's degree (NQF Level 8) or equivalent. You'll need to pass the GMAT, or an entrance exam administered by GSBL. 

8. University of South Africa: Graduate School of Business Leadership (UNISA SBL)

Location: Midrand

The UNISA SBL MBA is focused on business leadership rather than business administration—and it consistently ranks one of the best in South Africa. The program has been around since 1965, and has produced over one-third of South Africa’s MBL/MBA degrees. Needless to say, the school’s alumni network is made up of some of South Africa’s brightest and most influential business minds.

The two-year MBA program at UNISA comprises a blend of compulsory and elective modules plus an integrated management research project. To apply, you must have three or more years of professional work experience and hold a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate diploma. You may also be required to complete an admissions test as part of the selection process.

7. North-West University Business School (NWU MBA)

Location: Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark campuses

The NWU MBA is a part-time program that takes place over the course of two years, blending online and in-person study. It places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, with regular case studies, company visits, and consulting projects dotted throughout the program.

To apply for the program, you must complete an online application together with an essay detailing your reasons for applying. You’ll also need to hold a bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 8) or equivalent, have at least three years of relevant work experience (preferably at managerial level), and complete one of the accepted entrance exams (TTS, GMAT, or NMAT). Final round applicants will be invited to an interview. 

6. Rhodes University: Rhodes Business School

Location: Grahamstown

The Rhodes Business School MBA focuses on ‘Leadership for Sustainability’, or the balance between economic, social, and environmental sustainability in business. It’s targeted at mid-career professionals.

The program can be taken part-time or in a modular format, allowing you to keep working whilst studying for an MBA. Two-thirds of the program is made up of core and elective modules assessed by a mixture of assignments, tests and/or examinations. The final third comprises a 15,000-word mini-thesis. The goal of the program is to allow students to reflect on their professional experience through an academic and research-focused lens.

Like most top business programs in South Africa, you’ll need to hold an NQF Level 8 qualification, have a minimum of three years’ relevant professional experience, and be fluent in English. You’ll also need to sit the NMAT exam.

5. Nelson Mandela University Business School

Location: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

The youngest business school in South Africa, the Nelson Mandela University MBA is fast-becoming one of the leading schools in the country. It’s known for its focus on sustainability, innovation, and leadership. 

The Nelson Mandela University MBA offers part-time and block release study options, which allow students to continue to work alongside the program. Admissions criteria are similar to the programs we’ve already mentioned: at least three years of managerial experience or five years of relevant work experience, a bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 8) or equivalent qualification, and English fluency. Candidates who meet these requirements will move to stage two of the selection process, where they must take a psychometric test or business school entrance exam such as the GMAT.

Students are also required to reside within a 60km radius of Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). 

4. University of the Witwatersrand: Wits Business School (WBS MBA)

Location: Johannesburg

In many ways, the quality of an MBA is defined by its links to the local and national job market. And in South Africa, you won’t find a more vibrant job market than in its capital Johannesburg. The University of the Witwatersrand’s Wits Business School holds strong links with the Johannesburg business community, helping students forge their post-MBA career in South Africa’s biggest economic center. 

The two-year, part-time MBA at Wits focuses its curriculum around five main themes: Context in Africa, Context in South Africa, Sustainability, Entrepreneurial Action, and Critical Engagement—all of which are key to emerging markets such as South Africa. In addition to core courses and elective courses, WBS MBA students will participate in independent study (The Leadership Quest and an applied research project) and a global study tour (international or regional).

Application requirements include a four-year degree (NQF 8) or a three-year degree plus PG-Dip (NQF 8), a minimum of four years’ post-university work experience, relevant test scores (GMAT, NMAT or WBS Admission Test), and proof of English proficiency. 

3. University of Pretoria: Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)

Location: Johannesburg

The GIBS MBA is for entrepreneurial business students looking for a generalized business education. Located in South Africa’s main business center of Johannesburg, the program is based on experiential learning—a combination of theory and practice—with students also engaging with local Joburg business culture throughout the program.

The GIBS MBA has four main areas of focus: General Management, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, and Manufacturing and Health. You can study the program full-time over the course of one year or take a modular format over two years. 

Application requirements include a degree (NQF 7), at least five years of work experience (two at the managerial level), GIBS entrance test results, and application essays detailing why you’re applying to the program.

2. University of Cape Town: Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB)

Location: Cape Town

The second-best MBA in South Africa (according to Eduniversal) is offered by the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. The UCT GSB MBA program is triple-accredited and can be taken in one of two formats: full-time over one year or in a modular format over two years.

The program offers a combination of individual and group work, as well as plenty of one-on-one time with faculty. In addition to the core curriculum, students are required to take electives to the value of 20 credits. 

Students will also have the opportunity to specialize in management consulting, marketing management, innovation and entrepreneurship, leadership and change, operations and supply chain management, or corporate finance. 

To apply you’ll need to be at least 25 years of age, fluent in English, possess three or more years of relevant work experience, have taken the GMAT, NMAT or other recognized entrance test, and hold a NQF Level 8 qualification (or equivalent, for non-South Africans). 

Applicants must also submit a CV, two reference reports, and three essays explaining their motivations for applying. Before being admitted some applicants may be invited to an interview with the admissions committee.

1. University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB)

Location: Cape Town

Top of our list of the best business schools in South Africa, the triple-accredited MBA program at University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) has long been recognised as one of the leading programs in the country. You can study it in a modular or blended format.

There are three streams of study throughout the program: Generalist, Health Care Leadership, or Project Management. The program requires the completion of 18 core modules (including an overseas International Study Module, a research assignment, and the Leadership Development Module), along with two electives. You can customize up to 30% of your MBA.

The USB MBA application requirements are fairly extensive. They include a four-year bachelor’s or postgraduate degree (NQF Level 8) or a three-year bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7). Applicants must also have at least three years of relevant work experience (preferably in management), provide two written essays, SHL scores, and attend an interview (if selected).

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