Application process 

Applications FOR THE 2011/12 gibs mba open on 01 JuNE 2010 and will close on 21 November 2010.

In order to be considered by the Selection Committee, your application form, the application fee of R2 000, application essays, entrance test results, official academic transcripts and referees’ reports must reach GIBS by no later than the closing date. We process applications for admissions on a continuous basis in the order of receipt.

Complete the online MBA Application Form. Please ensure that all information requested in the application form has been provided and that the information is correct.

PLEASE NOTE: For the 2011 MBA Programme only online electronic applications will be considered. E-mailed, faxed or posted applications will not be accepted.

2. Application Fee:

Pay the non-refundable application fee of R2 000. Only electronic payments will be accepted into the following bank account:

Standard Bank of South Africa
Current Account
Account Name: GIBS
Account Number: 421018011
Branch Code (Sandton): 019205
Reference: Name & surname

Please fax proof of payment to the MBA Admissions Manager on 0866 380 543.

3. Degree:

Please submit an original or certified copy of your academic transcripts. This is a complete list of all subjects taken for your degree (including any courses that were failed) and the results you achieved. Please note that a degree certificate is not a transcript. Obtaining copies of your transcripts can take up to a month. They must be delivered to GIBS before the closing date. We do not accept faxed academic transcripts.

4. Applicants who have received degrees from non-South African Universities: Any applicant whose degree was obtained from a non–South African university must get their qualification evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority website. Please note that this process can take about a month and the certificate must reach GIBS before the closing date of 21 November 2010. The applicant must manage all aspects of this process. 5. Non-degreed applicants: As stated above GIBS occasionally accepts a few non-degreed students. Should you wish to apply you must provide us with a certified copy of your matric certificate and SAQA accreditation information of the tertiary qualification you have achieved. It is emphasised that only exceptional non-degreed applicants will be admitted.

SAQA contact details: Help desk - 086 010 3188; Switchboard - 012 431 5000   

6. Entrance Tests:

Applicants for the MBA programme must complete either the GIBS entrance test or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). Please note that these tests represent only one of the several selection criteria for admission to the MBA programme. We also look carefully at each applicant’s undergraduate academic record, references, essays and work experience. Performance on the selection test does not necessarily reflect your suitability for any other course or placement.

7. Application essays:

The application essays are your opportunity to present a clear picture of yourself, your career goals and your aspirations. They will provide the selection committee with information about your motivation, maturity, interests, abilities and written communication skills. You should spend a significant amount of time preparing your answers to these questions as they are a critical part of our evaluation and selection process. Please type these essays and do not use point form. Please bring these in hard copy along with your other documentation. Each essay should be no longer than one typed page.

Please prepare your application essays well in advance of submitting your online application. This will allow you to finish your application quicker and will prevent page timeouts which will force you to restart the submission process

The three essays which GIBS requires are: 

• Please give a candid evaluation of yourself, discussing in order of importance to you the personal characteristics you feel are your strengths and those you feel are your weaknesses.
• World Cup 2010 is a great opportunity for South African’s to make the “alive with possibility” campaign a reality. Discuss your views.
• Great leaders are born! Discuss, using relevant examples of role models in South Africa.

Optional: Any additional information that you want the selection committee to know that is not covered elsewhere in the application form or process.

8. Reference Forms:

Please select two referees to complete the reference forms which are available online.

They should be people who know you in a professional context and can comment on your suitability for the MBA programme. Please point each referee to the electronic version of the reference form and ask him or her to submit it directly to GIBS as soon as possible and by no later than 21 November 2010. The onus is on you to ensure that the reference documents are sent to GIBS.

9. Foreign applicants:

If you are a non-resident in South Africa and wish to apply for our MBA programme, you will have to provide GIBS with a study permit once you have been selected. 

10. Submit two ID photographs

11. PDBA graduates:

If you have completed the PDBA at GIBS and wish to apply for the MBA you do not need to take the entrance test – but must provide all the other information required. Your application fee is also reduced by R600. 

Once the application process is complete, we will either: confirm your admission to the 2011/12 programme; inform you that you have been placed on a waiting list; or inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. We will inform you in which of the two classes you will be placed. Please note there are a limited number of places in the 2011/12 MBA programme and, once our classes are full, qualifying applicants will be placed on a shortlist. Thus we recommend that you complete all aspects of your application as early as possible.

If you are selected, we will retain your place for you for a limited period. After this, we will start accepting candidates on the shortlist. To secure your place on the programme, you will need to submit a registration fee of R3 000, which is not refundable. If you decide to withdraw your application or if you have been offered a place on the MBA programme that you do not wish to accept, please inform GIBS in writing as this will give another applicant the chance of being accepted.