About the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Leadership (MBA HCL):
The MBA in Health Care Leadership (MBA HCL) at Stellenbosch Business School is a specialised programme designed to develop leadership and innovation in the health sector. Offered in collaboration with the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and the Institute for Pandemic and Disease (IPD) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the African STARS MBA Fellowship aims to advance health care leadership and support high-level employment opportunities across the continent.
This 24-month MBA programme is delivered through a partnership with Stellenbosch Business School, consistently ranked among the top three business schools in Africa. It blends foundational modules in business, finance, and management with a targeted Health Care Leadership (HCL) stream.
The HCL stream is specifically designed for professionals working in both public and private health sectors. It equips them with the tools to navigate complex health systems, enhance clinical governance, and address unique health care challenges across Africa. Participants are empowered to lead transformative change and make a lasting impact within the health care industry.
1. المعلومات العامة
س: ما هو برنامج زمالة African STARS؟
إ: برنامج زمالة African STARS هو مبادرة تدريبية يقودها مركز الاستجابة للأوبئة والابتكار (CERI) في جامعة ستيلينبوش ومعهد باستور في داكار (IPD)، بالشراكة مع مؤسسة ماستركارد. يهدف هذا البرنامج إلى بناء الخبرة الإفريقية في مجالات الجينوميات، والتشخيص، وتصميم اللقاحات، مع توسيع فرص العمل للعلماء الشباب في إفريقيا.
س: من المؤهل للتقديم على الزمالة؟
A: Applicants must be African citizens and/or resident in Africa, aged 35 years or younger at the start of the fellowship, with a background in genomics, diagnostics, vaccine design, economics, or biotechnology. They should hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, but an MSc or PhD may be advantageous for other short-term programmes such as the YPP and ATT.
س: من الذي يمول التدريب؟
A: This MBA in Health care Leadership programme is funded by African STARS Fellowship Programme which is supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Q: What does the fellowship cover?
A: The fellowship provides full financial support including tuition fees, living allowance, travel costs, and study materials for the duration of the MBA programme.
2. APPLICATIONS
Q: When do applications open and close?
A: Applications for the African STARS Fellowship for the MBA are currently open and will close on the 31 July 2025.
A: Applications for admissions at Stellenbosch University Business school are open and will close 31 October 2025.
س: كيف أقدم طلبًا للزمالة؟
A: The application process consists of two steps:
- الخطوة 1:
Apply for the African STARS MBA Fellowship by completing the online fellowship application form.
The deadline for this step is 31 July 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of August 2025. - الخطوة 2:
Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to submit a formal application to study the MBA in Health Care Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School (USB). The deadline for this application is 31 October 2025.
If you are selected for the fellowship, the application fee to USB will be covered by the programme. However, if you choose to apply independently, you will be responsible for the application fee.
Please note that additional fellowship-specific documentation may be requested during the process. Ensure you indicate your interest in the African STARS MBA Fellowship clearly in your application to
A: Applicants must complete the Stellenbosch Business School MBA online application form and indicate their interest in being considered for the African STARS Fellowship. Additional fellowship-specific documentation may be required.
Q: What documents are required for the application?
A: Required documents typically include:
- Academic qualifications
- The SA Council on Higher Education requires MBA applicants to have one of these qualifications:
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 8), OR
- Honours/Postgraduate degree (NQF level 8), OR
- 3-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) plus a postgraduate diploma (NQF level 8)
- السجلات الأكاديمية
- Certified copy of ID or passport
- SHL Assessment/GMAT Focus assessment- We accept the SHL and GMAT selection assessments.
- SHL assessment: The SHL assessment is a valuable tool used by Stellenbosch Business School to help identify your strengths and areas for development. It is not a pass-or-fail exercise, but rather an opportunity to better understand your potential. The assessment includes verbal and numerical critical reasoning, inductive reasoning, and the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ), which explores behavioural preferences.
- GMAT Focus assessment: The GMAT has three timed sections, namely quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights (digital and data literacy). Not administered by Stellenbosch Business School.
- The SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE) for qualifications obtained outside of South Africa.
- A comprehensive CV
- 2 essays (300 to 500 words each), showing your level of motivation and work experience. The topics are your external development perspective and your personal development perspective.
- Mathematics at NSC (Grade 12) level (recommended)
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: Yes, Stellenbosch Business School charges an application fee of R1050, shortlisted candidates for this fellowship will not have to pay for the application fee.
SHL assessments: SHL selection fee (non-refundable; applicable to all students): R 3,200
Or If you have completed SHL before or writing GMAT, fees payable calculate as: Application Fee = R 1,050
Q: What is the SAQA Certificate of Evaluation?
A: The SAQA Certificate of Evaluation indicates the recognition decision taken by SAQA in respect of a foreign qualification and the comparability of that qualification with a South African qualification registered on the NQF.
Q: What is SAQA processing times and delays?
A: SAQA strives to complete the evaluation process within the period 90 calendar days from the date of receipt of a complaint application.
https://www.saqa.org.za/services/evaluation-of-foreign-qualifications/
3. ELIGIBILITY
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the African STARS Fellowship?
A: Eligible candidates must:
- Born or living in any of the African country
- Age 35 years or younger
- Have a recognized undergraduate degree
- Have a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to African development
Q: Why do the MBA’s admission requirements include a minimum number of years of work experience? Why are these applied so stringently?
A: First, relevant work experience is a requirement of Stellenbosch Business School’s international EQUIS accreditation. Second, collaborative learning, where students learn from each other, forms an important part of our MBA. The expertise, depth, and value that each student brings to the class depend largely on authentic work experience.
Q: Do I need to have a business or economics background?
A: No. Applicants from all academic disciplines are welcome, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
4. THE MBA PROGRAMME
Q: Where is the MBA programme offered?
A: The MBA is offered by the University of Stellenbosch Business School, one of the leading business schools in Africa, located in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.
Q: What is the duration of the MBA programme?
A: The MBA Health Care Leadership stream is offered in both Modular and Blended formats and is completed over 2 years.
Q: What is the structure of the MBA?
A: The MBA training and placement fellowship will consist of:
- 18 compulsory modules, 2 electives from the specialization area, and a research assignment
- The MBA will be offered as blended learning (a combination of online and on-campus classes) with at least 3 on-campus visits ranging from 5 ot 10 days
- A research project in healthcare leadership/management will be conducted during the second year of studies. The mini thesis will be presented project to the African STARS Programme leadership.
بالإضافة إلى فرص التدريب الثلاثة المنظمة الموضحة أعلاه، سيحضر بعض الزملاء ورشة العمل الدولية للمعلوماتية الحيوية حول ورشة عمل تطور الفيروسات وعلم الأوبئة الجزيئي (VEME), which we will organize for the next 3 years. The 29th edition of this workshop was co-hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and CERI in Brasilia in August 2024. The 30th edition will be hosted at IPD in Senegal in August 2025. The 31st and 32nd editions will be hosted by CERI. VEME is one of the most advanced workshops of its kind in the world and will allow the ATT fellows to network with over 150 fellows and 50 faculties, who are leading scientists in the world.
Q: What is the format of The African Stars Fellowship MBA Programme?
A: Blended MBA: Combines on-campus sessions (January) with weekly remote evening sessions (February to December).
Q: What is the estimated cost of the MBA programme?
A: 2025 tuition fee is ZAR 357,561. This excludes the compulsory International Study Module in Year 2. These costs are fully covered by the fellowship.
Q: What are some key takeaways of the MBA Health Care Leadership stream?
ج:
- Become a healthcare leader of today and tomorrow, driving meaningful impact.
- Gain the skills to balance economic sustainability with quality patient outcomes.
- Master how to navigate regulatory challenges, drive healthcare policy changes, and implement sustainable financial strategies.
- Acquire a unique combination of global and local perspectives on healthcare innovation.
Q: How demanding is the MBA in terms of time?
A: As a general rule, for every 1 hour spent in class, you should plan to dedicate approximately 3 additional hours to preparation and self-study (including reading, assignments, and group work). The MBA programme involves around 448 contact hours, making effective time management and prioritisation essential for success.
Q: What is the format of the tests – e.g. multi-choice questions (MCQs), essays, case studies? Will students have access to past test papers?
A: Tests focus primarily on the application of knowledge and insight into business problems. Hence, all tests are open books and require the analysis of problems or cases. These summative assessments simulate real-life situations, and the application of the theory and techniques covered in a particular module. In the assessment of pre-reading, multiple-choice questions or reflective essays are often used prior to attending class. Many lecturers make past test papers available as a learning resource.
Q: When are exams/tests held? How many tests/exams are there?
A: Students are assessed on a continuous basis. Each module has a minimum number of assessments based on the number of credits for that module. The final performance mark therefore includes multiple individual assessments and often a group assessment component too.
5. LIVING ALLOWANCE AND OTHER SUPPORT
Q: What does the living allowance cover?
A: The fellowship includes a monthly stipend that covers accommodation, meals, local transportation, and other living expenses.
Q: Does the fellowship cover travel?
A: Yes. Return economy-class airfare from the fellow’s home country to South Africa is provided.
Q: Are there networking or mentorship opportunities?
A: Yes. Fellows gain access to a network of professionals, mentors, and alumni, as well as exclusive leadership development workshops and events.
6. POST-GRADUATION
Q: Are fellows expected to return to their home country after graduation?
A: Yes. Fellows are encouraged to apply their skills and knowledge to challenges in their home country or elsewhere in Africa for a minimum of two years after graduation.
7. CONTACT US
ABOUT THE AFRICAN STARS FELLOWSHIP
For specific queries related to the African STARS MBA Fellowship,
Maambele Khosa – startsfellows@sun.ac.za
General Enquiries at USB
+27 (0)21 918 4243
applications@stellenboschbusiness.ac.za
www.stellenboschbusiness.ac.za
Carl Cronjé Drive, Bellville 7530, Cape Town, South Africa
MBA Programme: Business Management and Administration
MBA Enquiries: +27 (0)21 918 4243
mba@stellenboschbusiness.ac.za
International Affairs Office
+27 (0)21 918 4196
international@stellenboschbusiness.ac.za