USB EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT

MBA CORe
Course Prospectus
ABOUT THIS COURSE
The MBA CORe is a dual-purpose online certificate course, contributing towards your preparation for a full
MBA degree and arming you with the technical business skills to make better managerial decisions. Youll also
have the opportunity to expand your professional network by collaborating with like-minded business leaders
on the course.

Using a practical, case study-based approach - with the opportunity to use your own business as a case study
- youll learn to navigate the complexities of your business environment, whilst gaining a solid foundation with
which to tackle a full MBA, should you be accepted.

The Certificate of Readiness (CORe) covers three vital components of business management, often found to be
the most challenging subjects of an MBA: economics, quantitative methods and managerial accounting.

Each course topic is designed by an industry expert from the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB).

ECONOMICS QUANTITATIVE METHODS MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING

Master the fundamentals of
macro- and microeconomics,
such as market equilibriums and
pricing decisions, as well as the
formulation of economic policies.
Understand how data can be
measured, collected, presented,
and interpreted to gain insight
into complex problems, and allow
for better decision-making in your
business environment.
Learn to use financial statements
and accounting data to make better
managerial decisions, measure the
financial performance and health
of a business, and identify areas
for improvement.

An MBA degree is a huge commitment and an expensive endeavour. The MBA CORe serves to prepare students
for this journey with a head start in some of the more challenging areas covered in an MBA. It does not provide
a full insight into what an MBA would entail (each being different), but allows students to measure their desire
and commitment - whilst simultaneously gaining critical management skills.

USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE

WHO WOULD BENEFIT
FROM THIS COURSE:
Business owners, managers and entrepreneurs who wish to gain technical business skills
to advance in their career and meet corporate goals.

Those wanting to enrol in an MBA or postgraduate course who wish to gauge their appetite for
the full programme, gain a solid foundation of technical skills and strengthen their application.

Those not yet able to study an MBA, who wish to gain some of the technical business skills
obtained from an MBA.

NOTE: This Certificate of Readiness does not guarantee acceptance into an MBA programme, nor does it replace entry
requirements such as the GMAT. If you wish to apply for an MBA, you should be aware of the specific requirements
and prerequisites

COURSE DETAILS

15 weeks (excl. orientation) 8 - 12 hours per week R24,900 Excl. VAT

online and fully supported

REGISTER NOW REQUEST A CALL

USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE

COURSE INSTRUCTORS
BRETT HAMILTON
Head Tutor
Brett is an MBA lecturer of business finance and
decision analysis. He received his MBA Cum Laude
from the University of Stellenbosch Business School,
and has over 10 years of experience in business
ownership (FMCG, retail and media) and senior
management. Brett is experienced in financial
modelling, forecasting, valuation, and budgeting, and
consults in the fields of market/business intelligence
and business strategy.
PROFESSOR ANDR ROUX
Course Convenor:
Economics
Professor Andr Roux was voted as one of
the University of Stellenbosch Business Schools
top lecturers in the 2016 annual competition
of the faculty of Economic and Management
Sciences, sponsored by Die Burger. With a Masters
in Economics and a PhD from The University
of Stellenbosch, and over 30 years of lecturing
experience, its a privilege for any student to study
a course designed - at least in part - by him. Andr
has had multiple academic projects and reports
published; was previously the Director of the
Institute for Futures Research (IFR) at Stellenbosch
University; is the head of the M Phil programme
in Futures Studies; is an associate editor of
The African Finance Journal, and is a member
of multiple national committees.
USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE
SONJA CILLIERS
Course Convenor:
Managerial Accounting
Sonja Cilliers is a Chartered Accountant and is
an expert in financial accounting, managerial
accounting, auditing, and executive coaching. With
a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Stellenbosch University
and a corporate coaching qualification from UCT, she
is an MBA lecturer at Stellenbosch Business School
and a professional executive coach - allowing for a
perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and practical
business applications of managerial accounting.
DR HEIDI RAUBENHEIMER
Course Convenor:
Quantitative Methods
Heidi Raubenheimer has a PhD in Business
Administration from the University of Stellenbosch
Business School, an MSc in Operations Research
and a BSc in Applied Mathematics from UCT, and is
a CFA Charterholder. She is an expert in Investment
Management, Portfolio Construction and Capital
Markets, and has 20 years of academic experience,
in addition to her 20 year history of engagement
in the financial services sector. Heidi has taught
quantitative disciplines on MBA programs at business
schools for over 10 years. She is actively engaged
in the transformation of education in South Africa
and serves on the board of LEAP schools and
UCTs Council.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Find out more about the key learnings and outcomes of the course:

TOPIC 1: ECONOMICS
COURSE MODULE 1:
INTRODUCTION TO KEY ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES
Explain what economics and the economic dilemma entails
Articulate how economics and business interact
Show how the economic principles are true in a given context

COURSE MODULE 2:
BASICS OF MICROECONOMICS
Assess what effect a change in supply or demand will have
on market equilibrium
Distinguish between the different price controls
Decide what the best pricing decision is, based on the price
elasticity of demand of a product

COURSE MODULE 3:
MACROECONOMICS: ECONOMIC GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT,
AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Explain how economic growth occurs and the components
of real output
Investigate unemployment in South Africa and its causes
and consequences
Conclude how unemployment impacts economic growth
and development, and suggest remedial action

COURSE MODULE 4:
MACROECONOMICS: BALANCE OF PAYMENTS AND INFLATION
Explain what the balance of payments is and the role of foreign
exchange reserves
Interpret the relationship between money supply and inflation
Investigate how changes in inflation impact the balance
of payments

USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE

COURSE MODULE 5:
SOUTH AFRICAS ECONOMY IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Illustrate the relationship between China and Africa
and the effects thereof
Analyse what the effects of globalisation and the economic
recession are on todays South African economy
Write a strategy that outlines ways to revitalise the South
African economy

TOPIC 2: QUANTITATIVE METHODS

COURSE MODULE 6:
INTRODUCTION TO TIME VALUE OF MONEY
Explore the concept of time value of money, and where it applies
in the real world
Learn how to calculate the present and future value of money

COURSE MODULE 7:
DATA ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY
Explore the value of statistics in the business world
Discover ways of visualising and reading data
Learn how to apply visual and numerical data to decision-making

COURSE MODULE 8:
PROBABILITY THEORY
Learn the basics of probability theory
Understand the relationship between variables and contingency
Explore the differences between dependent and independent
variables

COURSE MODULE 9:
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Learn about the various types of distribution and how
to interpret them
Learn how to calculate the three major types of distribution,
and how to plot these in Excel

COURSE MODULE 10:

USING DATA TO MAKE DECISIONS
Engage with ways of making decisions, and share your own
decision-making insights
Learn how to measure payoff and opportunity loss, and how
to build a decision tree

USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE

TOPIC 3: MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING
COURSE MODULE 11:
INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING
Define the accounting equation and the double entry system
Identify the four financial statements and their purpose
Articulate the basic accounting principles

COURSE MODULE 12:

INTERPRETING THE INCOME STATEMENT
Distinguish between the different components that make up
an income statement
Calculate the basic ratios pertaining to the income statement
Compare two income statements from two financial years

COURSE MODULE 13:

THE BALANCE SHEET
Investigate the concepts of shared capital and retained earnings
Apply your knowledge of ratio calculations to extract information
from the balance sheet
Investigate the relationship of retained earnings and the income
statement

COURSE MODULE 14:

COST BEHAVIOUR
Explain the difference between fixed and variable costs
Investigate what the opportunity costs will be for a given scenario
Defend a business decision using relevant costing

COURSE MODULE 15:

CASH MANAGEMENT
Apply the cash concepts to a scenario
Distinguish between cash and profit
Create a cash budget for a small business

CERTIFICATION
Upon successful completion of this course, you will earn a certificate
from Stellenbosch University, as verifiable proof of the knowledge
and skills you gain throughout the course. In order to pass the course,
youll need to obtain an average total mark of over 50%.

Successful completion of the course will also earn you 20 short course
credits, applicable in the domain of USB-ED.

USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Study online, at your own pace
and in your own time
Full academic and technical
support throughout your
learning journey
Receive feedback and advice
from world-class lecturers and
business leaders
WHO IS USB-ED?
The University of Stellenbosch Business School
Executive Development (USB-ED) is the private
company of the University of Stellenbosch. Their
mission is to create a learning space to enable
through uniquely designed interventions and applied
research a network of globally responsible leaders
to forge a sustainable future. USB-ED has a footprint
throughout most of Africa and collaborates with
international business schools and leading corporate
partners to offer participants world-class business
learning opportunities.
VIDEO
The GetSmarter experience:
What its like to learn online
FIND OUT MORE
USB-ED MBA CERTIFICATE OF READINESS ONLINE SHORT COURSE
Interact with your peers and tutors
online, to discuss theories and ideas
Use your own business as a case
study, throughout the highly
practical course
Earn a certificate from
Stellenbosch University as proof
of your new skills
WHO IS GETSMARTER?
GetSmarter is an online education company that
collaborates with top-tier universities to present
career-focused online short courses. Their people-
driven approach to online learning has resulted
in an average course completion rate of over 90%
across a portfolio of over 60 university-approved
online short courses, over 8 years.
 MBA CORe
REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US
Call: +27 (0)21 447 7565 | Email: enrolments@getsmarter.com
Website: www.getsmarter.com