10 Best Business Schools in South Africa (2019)

South Africa has always been an economic powerhouse in Africa, making the country a favourite destination for investors looking to leverage the vast opportunities.

Apart from the investors flocking the country, South Africa is also raising its business leaders who can work with companies or create their own and by so doing, take advantage of emerging opportunities and tackle challenges.

10 Best Business Schools in South Africa

While there’s an array of business schools in the country, the following are the 10 best business schools in South Africa.

University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB)

Opening its doors to its first 14 MBA students in 1964, the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) has witnessed an explosive increase in student population with over 28,000 students today from all over the globe. The school is the first from an African university to obtain the triple crown of major international accreditations – AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA.

The school partners with over 80 business schools across the world and is a member of several international academic bodies, including the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA). It offers a wide array of programmes to cater to the needs of individuals and organizations such as Business Management and Administration and Executive Education.

Milpark Business School

Milpark Business School is a private tertiary institution established in 1997 to offer highly sought-after, accredited business qualifications, courses and training in South Africa and the rest of Africa. It is located in Cape Town where it offers contact learning although its qualifications are primarily offered via distance learning.

Its qualifications are available via the various schools it operates which include Business School, School of Commerce, School of Investment and Banking, School of Financial Planning and Insurance and its College which offers Vocational and FET programmes.

Henley Business School Africa

Formerly known as Henley Management College, South Africa, Henley Business School Africa is a campus of the Henley Business School of the University of Reading, United Kingdom. The South African campus was established in 1992 and has since offered a holistic learning system to thousands of its students.

Sharing international accreditation with its parent school, Henley Business School welcomes students living in neighbouring countries since it is the only operation of the prestigious school on the continent. It boasts being the only international school accredited by leading UK, European and US accrediting bodies: AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.

The University of Pretoria – Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)

Based in Sandton in Johannesburg, the Gordon Institute of Business Science was established in 2000 as a part of the University of Pretoria. The school was named in honour of Sir Donald Gordon for his contributions to the South African economy as well as his significant donations to the school.

The school is the only business institution to be ranked among the top 100 business schools in the world according to the Financial Times Executive MBA Rankings. Working with over 6,000 executives, managers and scholars across the globe, the school offers open programmes for individuals and programmes for organizations which are designed to equip students to take up the reins of leadership to successfully propel businesses forward.

Regenesys Business School, Johannesburg

The Regenesys Business School opened its doors in 1998 and has since educated over 170,000 students. Situated in Johannesburg, the economic hub of the continent, the school is ranked one of the top five business schools in South Africa.

It has a focus on business management and public management, and is accredited to offer a wide range of courses including Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, while its corporate programmes include Executive Development Programmes, Management Development Programmes and more. It boasts a wide network with business experts, entrepreneurs, government leaders and academics while its partners includes major organizations like Microsoft, MTN Group and Intel to mention a few.

University of KwaZulu-Natal – Graduate School of Business & Leadership

The Graduate School of Business & Leadership is one of the academically excellent business schools with a track record of providing management education and training to business and public sectors.

The school equips its students by combining extensive theoretical studies with experience of real business life. It offers a wide range of programs which include Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies by Research and many others.

University of Cape Town – Graduate School of Business (GSB)

The Graduate School of Business is one of the top rated business schools in South Africa. It is ranked the first in Africa and the Middle East region on the QS Global 200 Business Schools Report. The school is also accredited by QUIS, AMBA and AACSB. Its programme offerings include: MBA, Executive MBA, Associate in Management (AIM), PHD programme, Executive Education and several others.

Rhodes Business School

Ranked among the best business schools in South Africa, Rhodes Business School aims to produce holistic thinkers who can make sound business decisions with a firm grip of the ethics that guide the business world. Its offerings include MBA, PDEM, executive and short courses, while its MBA programme is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

North-West University – NWU Business School

The NWU Business School has three campuses – Mahikeng, Pitchefstroom and Vanderbiklpark – from which it offers its programmes. Being an international business school, it offers students a variety of languages to choose from. The school aims to create a new mindset about business in its students so they can become effective manager-leaders in today’s dynamic business world. It has a wide range of offerings which includes MBA, PHD in Business Management etc.

University of Witwatersrand – Wits Business School

Founded in 1968, Wits Business School is the graduate school of business administration of the University of Witwatersrand. The school has consistently featured in international rankings year after year as one of the best business schools in the world. It has made it to the several prestigious rankings like the Times Higher Education Alma Mater Index and the BRICS & Emerging Economies Top 100 Ranking.

The school is located in the heart of Johannesburg and offers several executive programmes including a Senior Executive Programme run in partnership with Harvard Business School. It also partners with organizations to create innovative solutions to existing business challenges.

South Africa Facts

10 Best Business Schools in South Africa (2019)