South Africa UNI:Regent Business School

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South Africa UNI:Regent Business School


About Us
Regent Business School was established to satisfy the urgent demand for management education in Southern Africa. Regent Business School is one of the few business schools in South Africa with an established association with a large overseas university. From inception, this link was established with the University of Luton in the United Kingdom to offer a range of business and management programmes by distance and supported learning to Southern African students. Regent Business School (RBS) continues to benefit enormously from the alliance with the University of Luton.

Regent is registered as a private higher education institution by the Department of Education in South Africa. In addition, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) has accredited all Regent’s programmes including the Bachelor of Commerce (B Com) degree and Master of Business Administration degree (MBA). Regent offers a range of fully accredited programmes from one year programmes to post-graduate qualifications, adding to its range of management qualifications in line with the changing requirements of the Southern African market.

The RBS distance and supported learning programmes provide a professional educational qualification that will equip you with practical business knowledge to enable you to succeed in the highly competitive work situation. RBS is mindful of the need for its programmes to reflect the best international business practice. The study material includes case studies and simulation of real buisiness situations specifically designed to reflect cutting edge developments in the work situation and their impact on business practice.
RBS is strongly committed to developing business and entrepreneurial skills in Southern Africa while ensuring our students a competitive edge in a rapidly changing business environment.

Source: MBA
 
Re: South Africa UNI:MBA Regent Business School

Master of Business Administration

Overview of the Regent MBA

Making the choice to do an MBA is a life-changing decision. Our flexible two and a half year flagship MBA programme is specifically designed for people who are employed full-time. With the pressures of a career, family and social commitments of most MBA students, experience has taught us that the quality of our programme materials and student support makes a great impact on not only our students’ careers, but also on time management in their lives, while they study.

There are a number Business Schools and Universities that offer a one-year (full-time) MBA. Whilst this type of demanding and intensive programme may have unduly earned the notorious reputation as ‘the divorce course’, it does nevertheless require significant and radical change in the MBA student’s life to cope with this study schedule and routine. For students who may have ample spare time, flexible working hours to attend regular lectures, adequate income whilst studying full-time, limited family responsibilities and an ability to handle extreme pressure, the one-year MBA may be a feasible option and we congratulate anyone with the dedication to get through it.

For those students with busy lives, family commitments and full-time careers, we offer an alternative that allows one to balance the competing priorities in one’s life and thereby presents a much greater chance of success. By offering a supported distance learning MBA that gives the working student a realistic time frame and adequate support, our students even find that they enjoy and appreciate their studies, have the energy to apply what they learn to their working environment and benefit from having the time at the end of their course to make their research project directly beneficial to their career and/ or employer. The testimonials from our past students, which appear in this brochure, attest to the way our students feel about their studies and the genuine impact our MBA programme has had on their careers. The research topics of our students are both topical and relevant. We are very proud of the research output that our students generate while on the MBA programme and for their contribution to the ever-expanding body of knowledge and research in business studies nationally and beyond.

Any significant investment demands substantial return – an MBA degree is both an investment of your time and money. Global statistics indicate that the MBA graduate can expect their earnings to increase by 130% over a three-year period after their completion of an MBA degree (Financial Times survey – 6/9/2004). These statistics are of course subject to many variables, but the fact remains that, almost universally, MBA graduates increase their earning potential as well as their potential for career advancement. In a local context, Regent’s mission is to provide quality higher education to meet the needs of the Southern African region. Regent Business School has observed that the cost factor involved in doing an MBA is, in many cases, highly prohibitive. This is a concerning dynamic as the Southern African region as a whole and South Africa in particular, grapples with skills shortages, not least of all, an acute shortage of managerial skills and capacity across all sectors of the economy. By delivering a cost-effective and quality assured MBA programme, we aim to meaningfully contribute to the development of management capacity and thereby strengthen the growth of business in Southern Africa.

At Regent Business School we have always seen the benefit of a career-orientated MBA. Our MBA offers specialised electives, which allows our students to tailor their MBA to their career, whether their focus is health care management, finance, marketing or public sector management. We look forward to working with our students to help them achieve their professional and personal goals and develop the competencies, confidence and networks vital for future business leadership roles. We are committed to our students and committed to providing quality in every facet of our MBA programme.
 
Re: South Africa UNI:Why do a MBA?

Why do a MBA?
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree is probably the world’s best known and most widely recognised management education qualification. It has become one of the most sought after qualifications in today’s corporate world as a prerequisite to most top management positions as well as for successful career progression.
Worldwide, the best business leaders consider an MBA as key to the continual success of careers in sectors like manufacturing, engineering, business, education, healthcare and other service sectors. To meet the needs of a dynamic and at times, turbulent business environment, the MBA qualification is itself evolving and adapting. Besides arming MBA graduates with a qualification that would pave the way to top managerial positions within large or multinational corporations, the MBA is also relevant to those opting for positions within smaller, but progressive companies as well as entrepreneurs wanting to run their own businesses.

One of the most compelling reasons to do an MBA is to enhance career opportunities through effective personal development and capacity building. The popularity of this qualification has spread across the world to organisations of every type, including those in the public sector. The challenges imposed by the 21st century make the upgrading of skills and qualifications essential in order to meet the demands set by companies, customers and the rapidly changing environment within which businesses operate.
The Regent MBA learning experience. Your development is important.
The Regent MBA focuses on executive management development with an emphasis on management knowledge, decision-making skills and business strategy. The programme will expand your knowledge of the fundamental elements of business management, their integrative nature and relationships. It will refine investigative, analytical and decision making skills, and also develop the interpersonal, communication and technical skills required to achieve results in today’s rapidly changing global business environment. Equally important is your person development. The Regent MBA will help you to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, to refine your own objectives and career plans. Success on the MBA is also likely to improve your prospects in terms of more interesting work experiences, career progression and earning potential.

However, the non-financial rewards are considerable and include personal rewards like increased confidence, the ability to think critically, analyse and solve problems more effectively as well as deal with ‘people issues’ in business in a more sensitive and informed manner.
The importance of student diversity on the MBA.
It is increasingly found that participants from a diversity of fields, industries and business sectors are studying towards an MBA degree. Educators, engineers, healthcare professionals, members from the financial services sector, members from the public sector and a range of other sectors are opting to complement their existing qualifications and experience with an MBA degree.

This diversity provides a dynamic learning environment and a unique opportunity for participants to engage and share experiences with fellow students. The interaction between students during workshops allows students to work in groups and transform theory into practice by engaging collectively in exercises and case studies in a structured learning environment. Qualified and experienced faculty members facilitate these workshops.
 
Re: South Africa UNI:What are the benefits to MBA graduates?

What are the benefits to MBA graduates?
With an MBA, you can:
• Have a management qualification that is valued by employers globally.
• Advance or enhance your career opportunities by exploring your options and moving into managerial positions within your field.
• Access a network of managers, business leaders and other alumni members from a diverse range of fields, organisations and industries.
• Set up your own business or create competitive and sustainable advantage within your existing business.
• Recognise and respond effectively to rapid social, economical, technological and political changes on organisations in their national and international environments.
• Appreciate how people, management and strategy are influenced by internal and external factors.
• Develop an analytical, creative and research-based approach to management and problem solving for organisations operating within an expanding, competitive global economy.
 
Re: South Africa UNI:Year 1 The MBA programme structure

The MBA programme structure
The MBA programme consists of a total of twelve coursework modules and a dissertation. The coursework includes eleven core modules and one elective module. The programme is structured on a semester basis with students required to complete three modules in each semester.

The final stage of the MBA degree requires the study of Research Methods, which is assessed by way of a research proposal, and submission of a dissertation on an approved management topic.
The minimum duration of this programme is two and a half years.
Year 1
Semester 1
• Management and Organisational Behaviour
• Managerial Economics
• Management Information Systems
Semester 2
• Managerial Statistics
• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Management Year 2
Semester 1
• Strategic and Change Management
• Managerial Finance
• Human Resource Management
Semester 2
• Operations Management
• Global Business Management
• 1 Elective
Electives
• Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
• Health Care Management
• Services Marketing
• Public Sector Management
• Investments and Portfolio Management
Year 3
Semester 1
• Business Research Methods
• Dissertation/ Research Project



Year 1
Management and Organisational Behaviour
Success as a strategic manager depends critically on possession of well-developed skills and knowledge in order to deal with issues that concerns individuals, teams and organisations. This module is designed to enable students to develop their thinking and their aptitudes in order to manage their organisations. The strategic manager must be able to develop organisational strategies that encompass a range of at specific business practices, many of which deal with organisation and human issues and strategy for recruitment and training. Each strategy requires a clear understanding of the business practices. The aim is to provide managers with a portfolio of business practices and an awareness of their strategic potential.
Managerial Economics
This module applies economic analysis to the management of the business enterprise. It considers the role of the business in the market economy and examines how the performance of the business is affected by the interplay between their internal costs, organisational structures and their objectives. The module demonstrates the relevance to business of fundamental economic concepts including optimisation, opportunity cost, risk and uncertainty, market structure, interdependent decision making, macro-economic policy and intervention, and international economic issues.
Managerial Statistics
The main focus of this module is to provide an understanding of basic statistical (inference) tools that are useful, or necessary in managerial decision making. Statistical inference will allow one to make generalisations based on sample data, and answer questions such as estimating product reliability, testing investment strategies, and predicting a product’s sales on the basis of its characteristics.

Topics include basic data analysis, random variables and probability distributions, sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing and regression, preparation and interpretation of reports expressed in statistical terms, and assessment of validity in statistical findings.
Management Information Systems
Globalisation of trade, the emergence of information economics, and the growth of the internet and other global communication networks have recast the role of information systems in business and management. This module is based on the premise that it is difficult, if not impossible, to manage a modern organisation without at least some knowledge of information systems – what they are, how they affect the organisation and its employees and how they can make businesses more competitive and efficient. Information systems have became essential for creating competitive firms, managing global corporations, and providing useful products and services to customers.
Financial and Managerial Accounting
This module is designed to provide a framework for the understanding of the major issues involved in managerial decision-making and control. The focus is on the issues that will impact information needs of managers, rather than on the role of the managerial accountant. This module will link the three requirements of financial control, performance evaluation and decision-making, and thus provide a firm foundation for studies in either management or data handling, decision-making and capital budgeting.
Marketing Management
This module examines the marketing concept and the strategic role of marketing management in the modern organisation. Successful organisations, whether in the public or private sectors, place great emphasis on achieving customer satisfaction whilst taking full cognisance of the competitive environment in which they operate. The module considers marketing research, consumer and buyer behaviour, segmentation, targeting and positioning, product distribution, promotions and pricing decisions, strategic market planning, internet marketing, and competitive strategies.
 
Re: South Africa UNI:Year 2 The MBA programme structure

Year 2
Strategic and Change Management
Designed to develop flexible strategic thinkers, this module focuses on strategic management concepts, research and theories, as well as organisational change management issues from different strategic viewpoints. Drawing on the theory and practice of organisational change, this module develops understanding and skills in diagnosing change, managing change, and responding to others’ ambitions for change. The module allows participants to integrate ideas and perspectives from other modules within a conceptual framework that considers the context, content and process of strategy and change.
Managerial Finance
In essence a financial market is a forum whereby the activities of lending and borrowing, buying and selling, physical and financial assets and the alteration and transformation of risk takes place. However the global nature of financial markets and the increasing complexity and variety of services on offer can have a significant impact upon the operation of both private and public sector organisations. The impact of these global financial markets on both national and international business is an issue of growing importance. Students taking this module should normally have completed Financial and Managerial Accounting.
Human Resource Management
The module deals with human resources management from both a strategic and operational point of view. It examines the link between the importance of allying human resource management policies and practices to support and reinforce more general business strategies and objectives. At operational level, it explores the design and implementation of procedures to optimise the day-to-day management of people in the organisation. The central focus is on improving the student’s knowledge of critical areas of human resource management so that effective policies for the management of people can be developed and implemented.
Operations Management
Operations Management is one of the three major functions of any organisation and is integrally related to all the other business functions. This module outlines the set of activities that transform inputs into outputs and create value for organisations in the form of goods and services. In addition, there is emphasis on the use of decision-making models and the management of quality.
Global Business Management
This module considers the impact of globalisation on industry structure and competition within national markets, and the influence of national factors on a firm’s potential for competitive advantage in international markets. The module examines international trade theories, government and business, comparative management cultures, and the impact of multinational corporations. The module then moves on to discuss the interaction of culture and corporate activity in different business systems. The overall focus is managing organisations in a global context.
Year 2 (elective)
Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module examines the role of business in society and aims to equip the student with a holistic understanding of the ethical nature of business activity. It is intended to help persons who are already in the world of business who face moral dilemmas relating to the world of business. The emphasis on corporate governance policies and procedures provides further knowledge of levels of compliance required by contemporary business managers.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
This module examines the concept of entrepreneurship and its ramifications for business organisations in general. The characteristics of entrepreneurs are examined as well as the role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the economy. The module also contrasts small business management with corporate management.
Health Care Management
Practitioners and management at all levels in the health care industry face an ever-changing environment. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the current system and develop an integrated system to meet these changing needs. This module is designed to provide managerial and resource allocation skills to health care managers. It integrates the theoretical issues of decision making in the health care industry with economics, management and policy-making principles.

Essential to the process is the ability to cope with risk, resource allocation, organisation of production, human resource development and policy making.
The contents of the module draw on the following:
• The health care industry in the macro-economic environment.
• Key issues confronting health care system as a whole.
• The economic concepts and principles with specific reference to health care provision and delivery.
• Allocation of resources in the health care industry, funding of health care, budgeting and development skills.
• Health economics and financing in the context of managerial propositions in health care management.
• Uncertainty, risk and health care provision including social health insurance, private health Insurance and medical schemes.
• Managed care and contracting, private/ public mix in health care resource allocation.
• Collecting and interpreting information relevant for decision making, policy formulation, evaluation, review and implementation.

Services Marketing
In the developed world the majority of national wealth and employment relates to service industries. Due to the historical dominance of manufacturing since the industrial revolution, we continue the tendency to view both strategy and operations merely from a production point of view. The main focus here concentrates on areas that differ from production industries, although not to their exclusion. The emphasis of the module is orientated towards service delivery, i.e. at a practical level. The Marketing Management module is a prerequisite for Services Marketing.
Public Sector Management
Public Sector Management is a study of activities in the public sector. It is a subject that deals with topical, real life issues, such as health, protection, education, housing and the environment. A knowledge of Public Sector Management and related skills is of value to all those who are employed by public authorities such as government departments, provincial administrations, municipalities, arbitration boards and research institutes. The syllabus is new and relevant to the challenges facing South Africa at national, provincial and local governmental level, while due cognisance is also taken of international developments and how these may influence government and related issues.

The module is designed to equip the student with both knowledge as well as practical and academic skills. These skills include, among others, the following: decision-making skills, public management and organising skills, public human resource management skills, public financial management skills, problem-solving skills in the public sector, ethics and governance considerations in the public sector, service delivery challenges, strategic management in the public sector and research skills.
Investment and Portfolio Management
This module introduces the key concepts involved in making investment decisions. The investment process starts with security analysis in an attempt to determine whether an individual security is correctly valued in the marketplace. The search for overvalued/ undervalued securities is the key to trading in securities. The module pays particular attention portfolio management. This entails a process of combining securities into a portfolio tailored to the investor’s preference and needs, monitoring that portfolio, and evaluating its performance.
 
Re: South Africa UNI:Year 3 The MBA programme structure

Year 3
Research Methods and Dissertations
The dissertation pulls together the various threads running through the MBA programme. It affords the student an opportunity to integrate the generic issues of management together with the areas of specialisation.
The dissertation is a piece of scientific business research and therefore the candidate is first exposed to research methods. The study of research methods is a practical exercise that provides the student with the theoretical and technical skills necessary to conduct and report scientific business research.
For the manager, conducting the research and writing the research report, this is an essential step towards information management and decision making. It prepares the manager to investigate business issues and problems and make informed decisions.

The application of learning to the research and analysis of an organisation is a key element of the MBA programme, and for many, a rewarding and challenging part of the programme. The research project/ dissertation aims to identify and explore a significant management issue and, at the same time, meet personal needs, academic standards and in many instances organisational objectives.
The MBA Dissertation
The application of learning to the research and analysis of an organisation is a key element of the MBA programme, and for many, a rewarding and challenging part of the programme. The research project/ dissertation aims to identify and explore a significant management issue and, at the same time, meet personal needs, academic standards and in many instances organisational objectives.
The dissertation is likely to focus on one of the following:
• The identification and research of a business or management issue of interest and/ or of value to students in their careers.
• An organization-based project; generally with the student’s employer.
• The investigation of a business idea, which might lead to self-employment.
Various opportunities for organisation-based projects may arise out of the RBS’s range of contacts and relationships with external stakeholders. Research clinics are held to aid the student’s progress through the actual research process and to respond to student’s difficulties. A research proposal is submitted for approval and a research supervisor is then allocated to each student.

The research project is then undertaken which culminates in a 12 000 to 15 000 word dissertation. The dissertation carries a 60-credit value towards the completion of the MBA degree.
Some examples of recent MBA dissertation topics
• An investigation into the valuing of non-public companies for the purpose of acquisition
• Assessing the need and role for an export management company for the export of South African Medical Services into Africa
• The role of black economic empowerment and corporate governance in transforming the South African economy
• A comparative study of quality care provided at primary health care facilities in Kwa Zulu Natal
• An evaluation of the employee assistance programme for educator stress and burnout at a district in Tshwane
• Factors contributing to the decline in electricity consumption in Swaziland
• The evaluation of the “rent vs. buy” decision in the South African Technology Rental Industry
 
Re: South Africa UNI:What are the admission requirements?

What are the admission requirements?
• A Bachelor’s Degree, National Diploma (M+3) or equivalent qualification.
• At least 2 years of work experience and be of a minimum age of 23 years. In practice, most participants on the MBA have more than the minimum experience.
• Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the MBA programme, but have work experience, may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a form of alternative admission to the MBA programme. Admissions via the RPL route are based on prior studies (if any), work and management experience and the candidate’s age.
• All admissions to the MBA are subject to the approval of the RBS Selection Committee.
 
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