Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Leadership (MBA HCL)
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Leadership (MBA HCL) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. The MBA project is done in collaboration with CERI and IPD on health care leadership and innovation that can help to advance high-level employment in Africa.
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.
The MBA will entail course work, including functional areas of management, the policy landscape and health systems and the challenges of finance and funding in health care, taking cognizance of the limited-resource context in Africa and a research assignment.
Programme Structure
- Duration: 2 years (January 2026 – December 2027)
- Delivery Method: Blended learning-online and on-campus in South Africa
- Campus Blocks: Three in-person residencies (5–10 days each)
- International Study Module: One elective block at an international partner institution
Curriculum Overview:
- Year 1: Core MBA modules including Accounting, Corporate Finance, Digital Enterprise Management, Strategic Management, Leadership Development, and Perspectives on African Frontiers
- Year 2: Stream-specific modules:
- Health Care Finance and Governance
- Health Care Systems and Policy
- Value-Based Health Care
- Two electives (recommended: Innovation in Health Care or Health Care Information Management)
- Research methodology and a supervised mini-thesis addressing a leadership challenge in health care
Who Should Apply:
Eligibility Criteria- Born in and / or living in Africa
- Must be below 35 years old
- Minimum of 3 years’ full-time work experience (health sector)
- Clinician and general practitioner (e.g., MBChB, MD) who has managerial and leadership role
- Senior nurse in public or private hospitals who leads large teams and operate on senior level with high-impact responsibilities
- Team leader and / or manager of pharmaceutical, medical technology or laboratory sector
- Public or private-sector senior positions (such as Manager, Deputy Director-General, CEO or Superintendent) in health care industry
- Manager in health care delivery systems and institutions, in pharmaceutical or health technology businesses, and / or regulatory organisations (such as AMA, SAMA, HPCSA, or other African Union or national organisation
Fellowship Benefits & Funding
The African STARS Fellowship covers the full cost of the MBA, including:- Full tuition fees
- Application fees (for shortlisted candidates)
- Research-related support
- Access to mentorship and leadership development opportunities
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Living stipend
- Air Travel expense
- Health insurance