PDBA 

Equipping you for business life in the fast lane

Why should you choose the PDBA from GIBS - one of South Africa's best business schools?

The GIBS PDBA programme:

• Fast-tracks high-potential young graduates into the world of business.
• Combines a broad understanding of business concepts with practical applications to provide a world-class business education to students.
• Enables immediate transfer of learning to the work environment.
• Combines classroom lectures, case studies, business simulations, business field trips and syndicate projects for immediate insight into the business sphere.
• Develops interpersonal and problem-solving skills in students participating in the business diploma course.
• Enables you to manage risks and uncertainty, and to gain analytical and financial expertise as part of your business education.
• The rigorous PDBA selection process at GIBS means lively classroom discussions, and interacting and networking with high-calibre peers from a broad range of disciplines.
• The PDBA covers the same fundamental business principles as the MBA degree (Master of Business Administration degree).
• Offers five full credits towards the GIBS MBA, conditional upon attaining a 65% aggregate in these subjects and commencing the MBA degree within five years of completing the PDBA business diploma.

How the PDBA works:

The PDBA’s modular, block release structure works as follows:

• The PDBA runs over ten months: Students study twelve subjects spread over six modules.
• A module consists of two subjects and is completed in eight days (split into two four-day blocks). Intensive, full-day lectures take place on campus between 08:00 and 17:30 from Thursday to Sunday, alternating with periods of time spent back at work.
• Weekends are included in the study blocks.
• End of module exams are written on Saturdays and Sundays, two weeks after the conclusion of the module.
• Students of GIBS’ Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration are only away from the workplace for approximately 24 working days.

What our students say about our PDBA programme:

“The PDBA provided endless opportunities for me to gain insights and learnings… I have something different and valuable to “The one great thing about the PDBA is that you are in an environment where you can say what you think and have robust debates all for the sake of learning. Nothing is said to offend and that which does is carried out into the world as a lesson. The opportunities for feedback from your syndicate members especially are most insightful and, I believe, the most valuable aspect of the PDBA. With the correct mix of courses, one leaves the programme with a clearer sense of business and the world.”
Potsi Mochebelele – PDBA graduate Read more ...

“GIBS refined my leadership skills and assisted me to differentiate between leaders and managers. Organisations require the skills of leaders in today’s competitive environment.”
Lean du Rand – PDBA graduate Read more ...

“Since completing the PDBA I have found that I am able to approach business situations in a more strategic manner in order to help business to function optimally. I am more aware of my presence as a leader and colleague and continuously try to find opportunities to enhance the working experience for those I am exposed to directly and indirectly. The PDBA has enlightened me to the fact that there is a consequence to every action taken or not taken and since then I have adopted a more proactive and positive towards managing my role in business.”
Sheila Lukwago – PDBA graduate Read more ...