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Postgraduate Diploma Business Administration (Part-Time PDBA)

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A part-time Postgraduate Diploma for high-potential individuals with at least two years’ work experience and leadership potential.

This 11/12-month programme is offered in two formats: in person at the GIBS Campus in JHB or fully online. Participants can select either delivery mode depending on their preference. Click here to view the delivery options.  

In the past, graduate students found secure, entry-level jobs and gradually worked their way up the corporate ladder to retire 40 years later. Working for one company your entire life is a thing of the past. As a driven university graduate with two or more years of work experience, you are in a hurry to get to the top. You left university with sound theoretical knowledge and started your career with little or no practical business experience.

By pursuing a GIBS Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, you will be exposed to a curriculum that is tailored to give you an understanding of how to run a department within your organisation. By combining a broad understanding of business concepts, practical applications and immediate transfer of learning to the work environment, part-time diploma students are at an advantage in any business environment. Through a combination of classroom lectures, business case studies, business simulations, business field trips and syndicate projects, you will gain immediate insight into actual business situations.


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Information Sessions                                                      
The next event will take place in 2024. 



Overview
Application Dates

Applications Open: 
Online: 3 November 2023 
In class: 25 May 2023

Applications Close: 
Online: 25 April 2024

In class: 
Round 1: 13 July 2023
Round 2: 24 August 2023
Round 3: 19 October 2023


Acceptance into the GIBS PDBA programme is reviewed on a round-by-round basis, we highly recommend you apply as early as possible. No late applications will be considered.


Minimum Requirements
  • Completed degree/ SAQA accredited NQF 7 qualification;
  • Minimum two years of work experience;
  • Matriculation certificate level competence in mathematics;
  • Competence in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and a web browser;
  • Good English language skills verbally and in written format;
  • Postgraduate level of intellectual ability (as assessed via the GIBS Entrance Test)
  • SAQA certificate for all qualifications completed outside SA (international);
  • Applicants from Non-English speaking countries will have to complete an English Proficiency Test. 
  • Laptop with reliable internet connectivity

Should you not hold a degree or a SAQA accredited NQF 7 qualification, you will be required to complete the GMAT test. The GMAT is facilitated by an external company and the minimum score required for your application to be considered is 550. The deadline to submit GMAT results is 19 October 2023.


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 




Fees

Total tuition including deposit: R129 267 

( In-class & Online offering)


Application fee : R3 000 (Online only)

Application fee: In-class
The fees below correlate with the application closing dates and are non-refundable 
(payable upon application).

Round 1: R2 000 (Early bird)
Round 2: R3 000 
Round 3: R4 000


Deposit: R20 000 (non-refundable, will be payable upon acceptance to the PDBA programme).

GIBS does not charge VAT on tuition fees; all prices are subject to change. 

Please click here for PDBA Part-time 2024 quote/ proforma invoice and payment options.

Please click here for Online PDBA Part-time 2024 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 Part-Time 2024 offered Online programme. These bursaries will be granted to fully deserving candidates that have completed an application for the programme. Applications close on 25 April 2024. Click here to apply. 







Formats


In Class

Duration: 12 Months

Venue: On Campus (JHB)

Attendance: Thurs/ Fri, Sat and Sun every alternate week in class 

View Schedule

Online

Duration: 11 Months

Delivery mode: Fully Online 

Attendance: Tues evenings and Sat full day session

View Schedule

Note: This is the tentative schedule, the updated schedule 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.

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 their place on the programme. 

Feedback will be received +/- 8-10 weeks after the application is 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.


PDBA articulation onto the MBA

PDBA to MBA Infographic_2.jpg



The GIBS PDBA part-time programme covers the same fundamental business principles as the GIBS PGDip which will gain you entry onto the MBA. Once you successfully complete and qualify for the PDBA and achieve a minimum average of 60%, you may apply to enter the MBA directly provided you have met the entry requirements in terms of work experience required for the MBA. This articulation is only applicable for 5 years from the time you have completed the  PT PDBA qualification*. If you are successful, you will commence the MBA programme when it starts in October of the following year.   

*Should there be curriculum changes to the "PGDip" within the 5-year period, you may be required to complete particular modules or courses.

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 the 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 Tuesday and Thursday at 14:00, please click here to book a session. 

 


More Information

Who should study this Postgraduate Diploma?

The Part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) is aimed at fast-tracking high-potential young graduates into the world of business. Postgraduate students should have at least two years’ work experience and demonstrated leadership potential.

How will you benefit from this Postgraduate Qualification?

Through a combination of classroom lectures, case studies, business simulations, business field trips and syndicate projects, you will gain immediate insight into actual everyday business functions. ​​​​This postgraduate course also gives you the opportunity to develop interpersonal and problem-solving skills, to manage business risks and uncertainty, and gain analytical and financial expertise.

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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