GIBS offers prospective students a wide range of academic programmes that are deeply intensive and interpersonal, discussion-based programmes designed to push the boundaries of management education. We focus not only on knowledge and skills, but the overall development of the person as a leader. Academic Programmes are the flagship of the GIBS offering.
Central to our academic approach, is guiding each individual to the right programme for their career ambitions, skills requirements and long-term goals. GIBS walks each candidate through a series of questions to determine the right programme for their specific needs:
What is your objective? Is it to learn the basics, do an in-depth advanced course or simply to update your existing skills and knowledge?
What is your prior level of academic qualification? Do you have existing tertiary business education or tertiary education without business-specific content?
What is your previous level of experience? Are you new to a leadership and management role? Do you have loads of experience, but little or no formal management development?
What is your budget? Are you looking for a programme that you will fund personally, or will you have the backing of a sponsor (typically your employer)?
The GIBS academic offering comprises the following programmes:
The DBA is intended for those destined to become knowledge leaders in their chosen sphere. The programme is designed to meet the needs of the mature, self-motivated scholar. It provides a blend of individual and peer interactive learning challenges that stretch and test to potential. As an outcome, the successful learner should be equipped to provide scientifically-grounded knowledge leadership with the confidence and competence that assures positive business results.
The GIBS MBA offers a life-changing experience and relevant exposure to best practices of local and global leadership. The MBA journey has been designed to broaden a graduate's business, country- and worldview, and to enable them to develop their skills and business acumen to assume a general management role that requires them to lead a division or entire organisation. The MBA is for self-driven, highly motivated individuals who are passionate about business.
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in General Management (GM) is a new offering at GIBS which is aimed at individuals who would like to gain a broad overview of business fundamentals in order to prepare them for the GIBS MBA journey. The PGDip is a nine-month programme. This offering resonates with managers who are self-driven and highly motivated and who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of business. It is for individuals who do not only want to become more effective managers, but also have the aspiration to progress onto the GIBS MBA programme.
As a driven university graduate in a hurry to get to the top, you leave university with good technical knowledge and start your career with little or no business experience. The GIBS PDBA is aimed at fast-tracking high-potential graduates in the early stages of their management careers into the world of business. By combining a broad understanding of business concepts, practical applications and immediate transfer of learning to the work environment, GIBS PDBA students are at an advantage.
You have been working for at least five years and are feeling the pressure of change in the workplace. Although you are motivated and competent, you feel that you do not have sufficient tools to make as much of a difference in your company as you know you can. You know that your career will benefit from management education and you are ready to stretch yourself to achieve success. At GIBS we understand this and have designed the GIBS PMD to equip managers in the private, public or non-governmental sectors with the necessary skills for business life in a rapidly changing and competitive business environment.
