Finance · South Africa
Senior Executives Choose Specialist Degrees Over MBA
Moneyweb · 2026/03/15
Summary
More senior executives in South Africa are choosing specialist degrees like the MPhil instead of traditional MBAs to improve their leadership skills. According to Dr Jill Bogie from Gibs, MPhil programmes use research to help leaders develop better strategies and make smarter decisions in today’s complicated global business world. These degrees focus more on deep knowledge and practical problem-solving rather than broad business generalism. This trend shows that experienced managers want education that directly addresses their specific challenges at work. It also reflects the need for advanced skills given the fast changes in the business environment.
OnABudget takeaway: For small business owners and professionals, specialist degrees can offer more practical benefits and sharper skills than traditional MBAs, helping you stay competitive without wasting time or money on general courses.