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Postgraduate Diploma Business Administration (Full-Time PDBA)

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Applications are open for the 2024 intake 

A full-time Postgraduate Honours equivalent advanced management degree for recent graduates with no prior work experience.

Invest in an additional year of study as an undergraduate student to prime yourself for a lifetime of career success in business. The full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) from the University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), is designed for recent graduates to develop business knowledge and acumen, in order to accelerate their access to the workplace by pursuing a postgraduate qualification in business administration. Our aim is to prime recent graduates without experience in the world of work in order to become professional, responsible, innovative, self-managing leaders. 

Over the duration of this postgraduate honours equivalent degree, you will improve your business skills and meet a group of like-minded, high-potential recent graduates who will remain in your business and personal network for a lifetime. You will be exposed to some of South Africa's best business lecturers from Africa's pre-eminent business school and increase your attractiveness to employers by adding general management skills to your CV.
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Information Sessions

PDBA Full-Time Information Session
Date: 24 January 2024
Venue: Zoom (Online)
Time: 18:00 - 19:00
RSVP link: CLICK HERE



Overview
Application Dates

Applications Open

1 June 2023

Applications Close

31 January 2024
We highly recommend you apply as early as possible. No late applications will be considered. Applicants completing their degree qualification in December 2022 are encouraged to apply.


Minimum Requirements

  • A minimum of a degree or equivalent qualification (final year undergraduate students whose degree will be complete in December 2022, to submit interim transcript);

  • Postgraduate level of intellectual ability (as assessed via the GIBS Entrance Test);
  • Leadership potential (in accordance with your letter of motivation and references);
  • Good English language skills to actively participate in academic debate;
  • A minimum of Matriculation-certificate-level competence in Mathematics;
  • Competence in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and a web browser (own laptop essential);

International Students/Foreign Qualifications: Applicants who hold a foreign qualification need to send their qualifications to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for evaluation before applying to GIBS. We require the SAQA certificate to verify the NQF level of your qualification. Visit saqa.org.za or email: saqainfo@saqa.org.za 

Applicants from Non-English speaking countries will have to complete an English Proficiency Test. See below options:        Option 1 | Option 2

Fees

Total tuition : R132 229

Application fee: R1 500 (non-refundable, will be payable upon application).

Deposit: R10 000 (non-refundable, will be payable upon acceptance onto the programme).
GIBS does not charge VAT on tuition fees and all prices are subject to change. 

Please click here for a quote/ proforma invoice and payment options. Note no payment can be made against a quotation and you can only receive a tax invoice once you have been officially accepted onto the programme



Scholarships


A number of partial bursaries are available for designated groups on the PDBA Full-Time programme. These bursaries will be granted to fully deserving candidates that have completed an application for the programme. Click here to apply.

Formats
Full Time

Duration:

1 Year

Venue:

Johannesburg

Attendance:

​Monday to Friday (08:30- 17:30), 3 weeks every month.

View Schedule
Note: This is the current schedule and the updated schedule for 2023 will be available later in the year and sent to all accepted students closer to the start date of the programme. This format is subject to change and applicants will be notified of any changes timeously. No evening classes is offered on this programme and is designed for recent graduates.

Admission Process
Step 1

Compile all supporting documents. Click here for the list of supporting documents.


Step 2

Submit your online application along with all supporting documents and pay the application fee. 

Step 3

Forward the reference link  provided to your referees.  Application is processed and documents verified (2-4 weeks). 

Step 4

You will be assigned a test date for the GIBS entrance test (You will receive an invitation to the test once your documents have been verified).

Step 5

Complete the entrance test (all degreed applicants) OR submit GMAT results (if non-degreed). 


Step 6

Await for test results from the assessor and references will be verified (2 weeks). 


Step 7

Applicant profile is reviewed and you will receive feedback from the admissions team.


All accepted students are required to pay the deposit within 3 weeks of acceptance to secure your place on the programme. 

Feedback will be received +/- 8-10 weeks after application has been received. Click here for the application form guideline.

Please ensure the billing details are correct when completing the application form as any request to make amendments will delay your application. Ensure you have the VAT number should your company be funding the tuition fees.


Special Requirements

Special Needs: If you have a special need or disability which may require special assistance including test or examination concessions, GIBS will endeavour to accommodate your requirements. However, it is important to discuss your needs with the admissions office before you submit your application and needs to be clearly indicated on your submitted application form. 

Religious Observance: Observant students must contact the GIBS Admissions Office before you start your application to ascertain if or how your specific needs may be accommodated. Note all programmes include weekend classes and attendance is compulsory.



For any further enquiries, please contact our Admissions Department : Admissions@gibs.co.za / +27 (0) 11 771 4135. Alternatively if you have a specific query and wish to speak to an Admissions Advisor, the "Meet the Admissions Team" session is hosted every Thursday at 14:00, please click here to book a session. 
 




More Information

Who should study this Postgraduate Diploma?
This postgraduate business management diploma is aimed at students in their final undergraduate year of study who do not feel fully equipped to enter the business realm and would like to pursue a postgraduate qualification in business administration. The average age of a graduate on the Full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is 22 years and graduates are not required to have any work experience to attend this postgraduate course.


How will you benefit from this Postgraduate Qualification?
  • Develop fundamental business knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate studies; 
  • As a graduate, you get to apply knowledge gained from classroom interactions during a workplace internship 
  • Solve a variety of management challenges through the completion of a business project; 
  • Attend over 12 carefully selected career workshops; 
  • Complete a consulting project with an actual business requiring real solutions; 
  • Work under ongoing pressure in a simulated professional business environment; 
  • Gain ongoing support and engagement from a dedicated career support service.



Additional Information

GIBS is a Level 1 B-BBEE Contributor

This programme is a SAQA accredited NQF level 8 qualification. SAQA ID: 12135

http://allqs.saqa.org.za/showQualification.php?id=12135

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM)

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.


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