Graduate School of Business

About the school

Established in 1829, the University of Cape Town is a public research university and the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa. It consists of six campuses in the Capetonian suburbs of Rondebosch, Hiddingh, Observatory, Mowbray, and the Waterfront, and is home to 30,000 students. It is the only African member of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF), a group of 26 of the finest institutions in the world that is part of the World Economic Forum.

The Graduate School of Business was introduced in 1964 and is a part of UCT’s Faculty of Commerce. It operates across the University’s Cape Town Breakwater Campus (which is just 1.5km from the CBD and 20 minutes from the airport) and the Johannesburg Campus, which provides executive education programmes and short courses to corporate and government clients. The School also has a Solution Space hub in Philippi, Cape Town.

The GSB offers various post-graduate and customised programmes for students to experience an advanced academic journey. As a dedicated school of business, the GSB envisions leading change in Africa and beyond.

Notable Alumni from the GSB at UCT include Bridgit Evans (Executive Director at the SAB Foundation) and Simba Mwsaka (Business Consultant at Ernst & Young and the UCT GSB Alumni Chapter Lead for Zimbabwe).

Location of the School

The winter temperatures range between 8.5°C (47°F) to 18 °C (64°F). The mild and dry summer season, which lasts from December to March, has average highs of 26 °C (79 °F) and lows of 16 °C (61 °F).

Life at the Graduate School of Business

In addition to the University's extensive array of over 100 societies and organisations, GSB students have exclusive access to specialised societies such as the Africa Business Club, Consulting Club, and Entrepreneurship Club.

The campus offers a plethora of sports activities, featuring nearly 40 different options that range from fencing and jiu-jitsu to hockey, rugby, and rowing. This wide selection ensures that graduate students have ample opportunities to engage in physical activities that interest them.

When it comes to housing, the university caters to the diverse needs of its graduate student population by offering a variety of accommodation options, both on and off-campus. UCT provides on-campus housing for approximately 600 postgraduate students. These residences are categorised as either second or third-tier, equipped with basic amenities. For those opting for catered residences, three meals a day are served in a communal dining hall.

UCT’s off-campus accommodation services (OCSAS) comprise private properties that are located in close proximity to the university. These properties serve as a better alternative to the residence system and also provide guidance on off-campus living.

There are many transport options, like the Jammie Shuttle, UCT’s own shuttle service that operates within the campus, residences, and select public places. Separate cycle lanes are made on campus for those who wish to commute via bicycle. The campus is easily walkable and well-connected with other areas of Cape Town.

Additional benefits of studying at the Graduate School of Business

The GSB has 32 core faculty members (2023) who are internationally acclaimed researchers, along with 70 visiting academics and executives from all over the world. The UCT Graduate School of Business is an Advanced Signatory and Champion of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations-supported cause founded in 2007 that aims to inculcate in students the values of sustainability and environmental concerns. The School runs specialised centres, initiatives, and partnerships to boost learning outcomes and improve entrepreneurial and business skills in students.

Admissions criteria

As an applicant at the Graduate School of Business, you must be prepared for a competitive set of requirements to gain admission to the school. Different GSB programmes have a different set of requirements. Here is a general set of requirements for candidates seeking admission:

Identity documents Certifications Complete resume Relevant work experience, depending on the programme Three letters of recommendation, depending on the programme Transcripts (if non-UCT) Many graduate programmes require previous work experience. PhD candidates must possess a Master’s degree before applying.

MBA candidates must be 25+ years of age, have a minimum of three years of work experience, the required TOEFL scores, two LoRs, and a postgraduate diploma or a bachelor's degree with honours at level eight of the NQF.

Candidates applying for PGDIP require similar requirements as an MBA with a NFQ level 7 equivalent qualification.

To learn about program-specific requirements, candidates can visit here.

Job placements

Did you know that UCT students rank among the world’s most employable, according to the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings? UCT supports the students with several resources to ensure a successful professional journey.

At the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, 75% of students were employed within 90 days, there are 79 active corporate client relationships, and 17 ventures have been launched in the past 5 years.

The UCT GSB Career Leadership Centre functions seamlessly to develop employment-ready skills and support students in gaining employment by providing leadership development coaching, on-campus and virtual recruitment programmes, and several networking opportunities.

GSB also holds regular annual career fairs to foster students’ career development. Companies that participated in these fairs include names like Silicon Cape, Jumo World, Savant, Endeavor, Thomson Reuter Labs.