Postgraduate Diploma Development Finance​

What you need to apply

• Academic qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or Management OR any other three-year Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant experience OR recognition of prior learning (see elsewhere in brochure).
• Selection test: SHL selection test (see below). This test is done online.
• Essay: You need to write an essay (see below).
• Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
• Highly recommended: Proficiency in English.

SHL selection test

You need to complete the SHL abilities selection test as part of your application process. The test consists of verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, which are used for selection and for the identification of your development areas.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
• Preparation: No preparation is required. However, you are encouraged to perform a practice test to familiarise yourself with the test format. See shl.com/shldirect/en-us/practice-tests/
• About the test: The SHL test is done online. (Random verification might be requested.) You will be provided with a link to the SHL test once you have paid your PGDip Development Finance application fee and SHL selection test fee, and after you have submitted your application form and have received your provisional student number. (You need to use this provisional student number when writing the SHL.)
• Cost: For fees, please see usb.ac.za/pgddevfin (click on Fees tab). See bank details under How to apply and use your provisional student number as reference. The application fee and SHL selection test fee can be paid online, and they are non-refundable.
• Link to the SHL selection test: You do not have to arrange with Stellenbosch Business School to write the SHL test. You will receive a link to the test once the relevant payments have been received and you have submitted your application form. The Business School will receive your results directly from SHL and will upload it to your application form on your behalf.
• Additional information: shl.com/en/assessments/cognitive-ability/
• Important: The SHL selection test is valid for 18 months. If your SHL selection test results are older than this, you should ideally rewrite the test as people grow and develop and assessments need to take this into account. Stellenbosch Business School does not consider SHL tests from other institutions as you may have written a different type or level of test, or you may have been compared to a different comparison group. If you have completed the SHL with Stellenbosch Business School during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.

Write an essay

An essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below is to be submitted in pdf format:

Stellenbosch Business School aspires to be a source of value for a better world. How are your career goals aligned with being a source of value for a better world, and how would this postgraduate programme assist you in achieving your short-term (2 to 3 years) and long-term (10 years) career goals?

 Recognition of Prior Learning

Stellenbosch Business School provides wider access to its programmes through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. In line with the requirements of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), we may admit up to 10% of our student body per programme under RPL. In order to be admitted to a Postgraduate Diploma at the Business School, candidates should be in possession of a relevant degree or National Diploma at NQF level 7.

Candidates who wish to be admitted under the RPL policy will firstly have to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students. In addition, prospective students applying for a Postgraduate Diploma at Stellenbosch Business School need to adhere to the following:

• Have at least an NQF 4 qualification (all school and academic certificates are required)
• Have at least 10 years of working experience after obtaining a school leaving certificate, of which at least five years should have been in a management or related professional position.
• Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information of activities outside the work environment.
• Provide the Business School with at least two references (typically current or former line heads) who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities. The references will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be download from the application form.
• Write and submit three motivational essays (specific topics are provided)

The RPL selection process entails the following:

• The Business School’s Admissions Committee (programme head and another academic) will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate.
• If the Committee is of the opinion that the candidate has the ability to cope with the demands of the Postgraduate Diploma, he/she may be admitted.
• A recommendation of admission is sent via Stellenbosch Business School’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
• RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October each year to allow sufficient time for the assessment process.

Academic qualifications and other admission criteria
The following minimum admission criteria are applicable:

• Academic qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or Management OR any other 3-year Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience OR recognition of prior learning.
• Selection test: SHL selection test. This test is done online.
• Essay: You need to write an essay.
• Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
• Highly recommended: Proficiency in English.

Note:

• International students require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate their degrees according to South African standards. USB’s International Affairs Office will handle the credential evaluations of international students free of charge. You therefore need to complete the online application, and upload all certificates to your application. The International Office will, as part of the application process, conduct an in-house credential evaluation after you have submitted your application.
• All degrees undergo a formal vetting process to eliminate fraudulent applications.

SHL selection test

You need to complete the SHL abilities selection test as part of your application process. The test consists of verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, which are used for selection and for the identification of your development areas.

The SHL is not about failing or passing. It is about determining your strengths and growth areas. The early identification of growth areas allows you to prepare yourself well and focus your efforts on academic and career success. As a responsible institution, USB needs to ensure that all students admitted are provided with the best possible chance to succeed in their studies and careers. The SHL is used in combination with the essay(s) required as part of the application process, prior academic results and work experience to form a clear picture on which to base admission and development decisions. Click here for more information on how we use the SHL to help students.

• Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
• Preparation: No preparation is required. However, you are encouraged to perform a practice test to familiarise yourself with the test format. See shl.com/shldirect/en-us/practice-tests/
• About the test: The SHL test is done online. (Random verification might be requested.) You will be provided with a link to the SHL test once you have paid your PGDip BMA application fee and SHL selection test fee, and after you have submitted your application form and have received your provisional student number. (You need to use this provisional student number when writing the SHL.)
• Cost: For fees, please see usb.ac.za/pgddevfin (click on Fees tab). See bank details under How to apply and use your provisional student number as reference. The application fee and SHL selection test fee can be paid online.
• Link to the SHL selection test: You do not have to arrange with USB to write the SHL test. You will receive a link to the test once the relevant payments have been received and you have submitted your application form. USB will receive your results directly from SHL and will upload it to your application form on your behalf.
• Additional information: shl.com/en/assessments/cognitive-ability/
• Important: The SHL selection test is valid for 18 months. If your SHL selection test results are older than this, you should ideally rewrite the test as people grow and develop and assessments need to take this into account. USB does not consider SHL tests from other institutions as you may have written a different type or level of test, or you may have been compared to a different comparison group. If you have completed the SHL with USB during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.

Motivational essay

Write an essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below and submit it in PDF format. Please indicate the word count at the end of your essay:

USB aspires to be a source of value for a better world. How are your career goals aligned with being a source of value for a better world, and how would this postgraduate programme assist you in achieving your short-term (2 to 3 years) and long-term (10 years) career goals?

Recognition of Prior Learning

USB provides wider access to its programmes through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. In line with the requirements of the Council on Higher Education, USB may admit up to 10% of its student body under RPL. RPL candidates need to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students.

In addition, prospective RPL candidates applying for a Postgraduate Diploma at USB have to adhere to the following:

• Have at least an NQF 4 qualification.
• Have at least ten years of working experience after obtaining a school leaving certificate, of which at least five years should have been in a management or related professional position.
• Submit a comprehensive CV, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information of activities outside the work environment.
• Provide USB with at least two referents who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities (typically current or former line managers). The referents will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be downloaded on the application form.

The RPL selection process entails the following:

• USB’s Admissions Committee (programme head and another academic) will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate.
• If the Committee is of the opinion that the candidate has the ability to cope with the demands of the Postgraduate Diploma, he/she may be admitted.
• A recommendation of admission is sent via USB’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
• Important: RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October to allow sufficient time for the assessment process