The 2024 Better World MBA rankings, by Corporate Knights magazine, has positioned the MBA programme of the Graduate School of Business (GSB) of the University of Cape Town (UCT) in seventh place globally, and in first place in Africa. This follows the recent placing, in the QS Global MBA rankings, of the UCT GSB MBA programme in the world top 100 and, again, as number one in Africa.

The latest ranking of UCT’s MBA programme by the Corporate Knights survey represents a jump of 20 places, compared with its position in last year’s report.

“We are proud to be an African business school setting the pace for programmes around the world,” affirmed UCT GSB director Dr Catherine Duggan. “Understanding impact and sustainability is increasingly a requirement for global business leaders. It has always been an integral part of doing business in Africa and a core element of who we are at the UCT GSB. We are excited to bring African insights to a global audience of students and decision-makers.”

Sustainability has, worldwide, become a key concern for MBA candidates. Surveys by the international non-profit Graduate Management Admission Council have shown that a notable majority of prospective candidates were seeking programmes that included sustainability and impact in their core curricula. And more than 33% affirmed that they would not consider an MBA that did not include these topics.

“Our students increasingly view sustainability as central to their careers and purpose,” highlighted UCT full-time MBA programme director Wayne Moodaley. “Our graduates leave with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles, leadership skills, and strategic problem-solving abilities that set them apart and equip them to drive positive change in their organisations and communities.”

The UCT GSB is based at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and not at the main UCT campus (which is on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain). It is located in the breakwater section of the Waterfront in an historic building, built in 1901 and which originally served as a prison.