Best Online MBA Programs in South Africa 2024

If you’re a working professional in South Africa who isn’t ready to ditch your job to commit to an on-campus MBA program, your best alternative is to enroll in an online MBA program.

These programs aren’t just flexible, but they also cost less. Not to mention, you’ll be able to earn a degree from universities outside the South African borders without having to issue a travel or student visa.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best online MBA programs in South Africa to help you narrow down your research.

Best Distance Learning MBA Degrees in South Africa for 2024

Let’s explore 7 of the best online MBA programs for South African professionals.

1. Nexford University

Nexford University is a 100% online university that offers an online MBA program for professionals in South Africa. The program is an excellent opportunity to network with professionals from all over the world.

Its duration is 18 months, but you can enroll in an accelerated track if your current commitments aren’t affected.

In addition, Nexford’s MBA program presents you with various specializations that can help you gain practical expertise in certain industries. The current specializations are AI Automation, Sustainability, and E-Commerce among others.

By the end of your program, you will be able to make better business decisions at work. You should also be more comfortable leading teams.

Currently, the tuition fees are $200/month (average total cost of $3,600), which is considerably below average compared to other online MBA programs.

2. Louisiana Tech University

The online MBA program from The College of Business at Louisiana Tech University offers an online MBA program that’ll set you back at less than $15,000. This program’s curriculum is targeted at South African professionals that have a BA or BSc degree in fields unrelated to business.

All students need to finish some core courses at the beginning of the program before advancing to rigorous business topics and concepts. Some of the topics you’ll learn include Marketing Management, Supply Chain Management,  Information Resource Management, Financing, and Accounting.

The program is super flexible, and the faculty is highly professional and supportive.

3. Boston University

This online MBA program from Boston University encompasses a high-quality, well-structured curriculum that links theory and practice quite nicely.

In this program, you’ll get a better understanding of key business foundations and concepts, as well as learn how to make critical decisions based on data and performance.

The foundations you learn in this program are applicable to any industry, and thanks to the impressive quality of the faculty and the curriculum, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned at your job pretty easily.

The MBA costs $533 per credit for a total tuition cost of $24,000 for the 45-credit-hour program.

4. California State University

The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at California State University has an 18-month online MBA program for South African professionals. This program is accredited by the AACSB, ensuring that the faculty and curriculum are on-par with international educational standards.

The program’s flexible, self-paced nature makes it easy for you to work through it around your tight schedule, ensuring a suitable work-life balance.

The program’s academic support is top-notch. Professors are willing to learn about your job to help you apply what you’re learning.

This MBA degree costs $27,000, and you don’t need to submit a GRE or GMAT score to apply.

5. Pittsburg State University

Do you want to earn a specialized MBA degree? Consider checking out this online MBA program from the Kelce College of Business at Pittsburg State University.

Unlike generalized MBA programs that offer the same curriculum for all students in the cohort, you get the opportunity to earn domain-specific skills that can make you stand out in job opportunities. The program’s concentrations include International Business, Human Resource Development, and Accounting.

The program costs $10,000, regardless of the concentration you choose. It’s also worth noting that GRE/GMAT scores aren’t mandatory when applying for this program.

6. University of Southern Mississippi

The College of Business and Economic Development at the University of Southern Mississippi has an online MBA program for South African professionals. It’s AACSB-accredited, making it a good option for those who want to earn an accredited MBA degree.

The program starts with fundamental courses that are worth 9 credit hours to qualify the students for the rigorous academic content that follows. This is an excellent way to acquaint students with non-business backgrounds with the curriculum.

The total cost for the program is $15,000. Further, there are various specializations related to Sports Event Security Management that students can choose from.

7. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

The John Massey School of Business at Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers a 100% online MBA program that consists of 30 mandatory courses and 6 electives.

Students can choose from the available concentrations to customize their learning path. These concentrations include Human Resources Management, Safety, Aerospace Logistics, Accounting, and others.

The program costs $10,000-$15,000, depending on how fast you progress with the courses. It’s also worth noting that the program is AACSB-accredited.

How to Choose an Online MBA Program for Your Career Goals

Before deciding to enroll in an online MBA program, make sure that you take these points into consideration:

Cost It’s important to choose an online MBA program that suits your budget. Student debt can greatly hold you back financially, so you need to compare different online MBAs within your budget.

Also, consider searching for online MBA programs with scholarships or fellowships for South African students. You might also want to discuss the possibility of a work-sponsored MBA degree with your employer.

Accreditation Accreditation is a good indicator of the quality of a school’s online MBA program. It ensures credibility and worthiness, which potentially help you advance your career more quickly.

The known accreditation bodies in the U.S are:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Flexibility

Online MBA programs are obviously more flexible than full-time programs that require you to be present on campus regularly. Still, not all of them use the same learning model.

Some programs are 100% self-paced, while others require you to attend certain classes or group discussions on the scheduled date and time.

 

So before enrolling, make sure that the program is suitable for your current schedule.

Networking

Online MBA programs can help you build your network and establish valuable work relationships that can aid your career down the line. The more reputable the MBA program is, the higher the quality of the students who enroll.

It’s no secret that MBA programs with strict enrollment requirements will give you better networking opportunities.

Career Prospects and Alumni

An online MBA program can help you take your career to the next level, but only if the knowledge you gain is really valuable and up-to-date.

For example, some MBA programs put a huge emphasis on theory and neglect to tie it to real-world practice, which can leave students confused.

Before enrolling in an online MBA program, do your research about its career prospects and how long it took for alumni to make a significant career change.

Talking to school alumni and current students about the online MBA program you’re considering can help you gain valuable insights about the program.

Things like quality of tuition, job prospects, and acquired skills can all make a difference in your choice of school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Online MBA Worth It in South Africa? Definitely! Online MBA programs are just as valuable as on-campus MBA programs, provided that you earn your degree from a reputable university.

Are Online MBA Programs Accredited? Just like on-campus MBA programs, some online MBA programs are accredited by international accreditation bodies, while others are not. You can visit the websites of the accreditation bodies and search for the name of the program to learn whether it’s accredited or not.

How Long Does an Online MBA Program Take to Complete? Typically, an online MBA program takes students 1-2 years to graduate depending on the course’s pace. That’s pretty much the expected duration for on-campus programs, too.

Conclusion

Alright, so these were some of your best options for an online MBA program in South Africa.

It’s a good idea to list down some programs that fall within your budget and compare their pros and cons.

Nexford University’s online MBA program seems like a pretty solid choice for most South African professionals as it combines quality tuition with flexibility and affordability. Not to mention, they offer unique concentrations that are hard to come by in other programs.

Start by visiting the school’s website, and if things look good, reach out to alumni and current students to learn about the program’s career prospects.

And remember, an online MBA program is an investment in your professional life, so don’t hesitate to enroll now to advance your career.

Ready to take the next step and discover how a Nexford MBA could increase your salary as a working professional in South Africa? Download our brochure or book a call with our Nexford Advisors!