www.usb.ac.za 2018 PhD Futures Studies
We are deeply committed to Africa. At the same time, we educate our students to function in a global business world. Prof Piet Naudé, Director: USB
THE USB ADVANTAGE We all desire a better future individuals, groups, organisations and governments. But how do you create a desired future? What do you need to take into account to make strategic decisions for the long term? How do you handle the change and complexity in organisations? Futures Studies is about gaining an understanding of how various futures will unfold. It is not about predicting the future. It is about understanding the interaction between a wide range of variables or forces, and distilling from these forces those issues that will affect the future of a country, government, entity or individual. It studies the world of economics, politics, technology, demography, social values and other subject fields, both locally and globally. By doing this, it equips decision makers with ways and means to deal with change and to make the right decisions to at least survive but preferably to thrive in an everchanging world. The University of Stellenbosch Business School offers a cluster of programmes in Futures Studies to equip people with critical skills in this field. This cluster a Postgraduate Diploma, MPhil and PhD is aimed at strategic planners, managing directors and CEOs involved in strategic planning over five to 20 years and longer. It is also aimed at those who require a holistic understanding of the ethical, social, political, technical and economic forces that shape the future in order to respond accordingly. In addition, those who want to play a role in creating a better future for South Africa and beyond will also benefit from a qualification in Futures Studies. These are the only Futures Studies programmes presented in Africa, and some of only ones in the world. USB was the first school from an African university to receive all three international accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Together, the three accreditation bodies look at business schools from three different geographical and quality perspectives. EQUIS focuses on the entire school, internationalisation and corporate connections. AMBA evaluates the MBA programme, processes and quality parameters as seen through the eyes of MBA graduates. AACSB uses rigid quantitative measures, which include assurance of learning or demonstrating that the students have achieved the learning outcomes for the programmes in which they participated. Therefore, these accreditations give students an independent and worldbenchmarked view of USB s programmes. Also, in 2016, Eduniversal ranked USB among the Top 3 schools in Africa while PMR.africa ranked USB as the No 1 school in South Africa. USB s programmes are underpinned by a global perspective combined with unique African contextualisation. Our programmes are offered in various formats, supported by innovative learning technology, to make them accessible to students from South Africa, other African countries and beyond. Our students regularly mention collaborative learning with fellow students from different industry backgrounds and geographies as one of the highlights of their learning journey. The school is centrally located in the Tyger Valley business district in the northern part of Cape Town, South Africa halfway between Cape Town s central business district and the university town of Stellenbosch with its acclaimed winelands and cultural history.
PhD in Future Studies www.usb.ac.za/phd-in-future-studies Become a specialist in the field of Futures Studies by acquiring in-depth knowledge through doctoral research. Prof André Roux, Head: Futures Studies Programmes
Do specialised research to help bring about a more desirable future Who should enrol? The programme is aimed at professional futurists, decision makers and strategic planners who would like to distinguish themselves through in-depth research aimed at helping people to bring about a more desirable future in a field that is still relatively unexplored and that requires even further depth of analysis. It will prepare them for senior-level positions in government, public and private corporations, financial institutions, and sub-regional, regional and international organisations. It could also enable candidates to become lecturers at academic institutions. The PhD in Futures Studies builds on USB s MPhil in Futures Studies. It allows you to become a specialist in this field by acquiring in-depth knowledge through doctoral research. This is the only PhD degree of its kind in Africa. Creating new knowledge As a PhD student at USB you will be expected to pursue supervised research, culminating in a doctoral dissertation. A minimum registration period of two years is required. Your dissertation must: Represent an original and significant contribution to advance knowledge in the chosen area Demonstrate originality of thought, a theoretical underpinning, relevance to the discipline and rigour in execution Create intellectual capital, which is the cornerstone of today s knowledge society. Why do your PhD at USB? Enrolling for your PhD at USB holds various benefits: Acquire a globally acknowledged PhD: USB is a member of the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA) and the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative s Global Doctoral Alliance (GDA), which holds benefits and creates opportunities for USB s doctoral students. Engage in research that creates employable knowledge: USB s PhD programme seeks to develop research that is relevant to organisations in private or public sector. Make your research meaningful: As a signatory to the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative s Global Doctoral Alliance, USB is committed to incorporating the societal dimension of business and sustainability in its PhD research. The GRLI promotes responsible management education, asking PhD candidates: What kind of problem do you have in the work environment that can be changed to make the world a better place? Join a research community: At USB, various people are involved in your research not only your supervisor. This leads to input and support from a diverse group of academics in a multidisciplinary environment. USB s Research Colloquia provides a platform to engage with other PhD candidates and their supervisors. It also gives you the opportunity to present your research as it develops to this select audience and to gain insight from them.
Your journey starts here i Attend an Information Session and/or engage with our Marketing Department Download full brochure from USB s website Check admission requirements Start and finalise your application process (with documents) Go through the selection process Dates and details Admission requirements, fees and dates: www.usb.ac.za/pgdfutures www.usb.ac.za/mphilfutures www.usb.ac.za/phd-in-future-studies How to apply: Apply online at www.usb.ac.za/apply Information Sessions: See www.usb.ac.za/events Application deadline for PGD and MPhil: 30 November for South African students and 30 August for foreign students Application deadline for PhD: End of April and end of October annually Note: Foreign students need to pay the full programme fees at registration. The deposit for foreign students is 50% of the programme fees. Foreign students require study permits from the South African authorities, which take up to 12 weeks from the date of being offered a place on a programme. We are here to help Support to students is offered at various touch points at USB. These include the Marketing Office, Admissions Office, Academic Administration, International Affairs Office, Careers Office, Alumni Relations Office and USBI (library).
countries in AFRICA countries in EUROPE countries in ASIA countries in the AMERICAS WHERE USB S ALUMNI COME FROM AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND CONTACT USB Futures Studies: Postgraduate Diploma MPhil PhD +27 (0)21 918 4246 future@usb.ac.za www.usb.ac.za/pgdfutures www.usb.ac.za/mphilfutures www.usb.ac.za/phd-in-future-studies Carl Cronjé Drive, Bellville 7530, Cape Town, South Africa