UCT MBA programme climbs to second place in global sustainability rankings

The University of Cape Town's Master of Business Administration programme has climbed five places to rank second in the Knights Better World MBA Ranking. This ranking assesses MBA programmes worldwide on their inclusion of sustainability in business education and the impact of their graduates. The programme is the highest ranked in Africa, surpassing Australia's Griffith Business School, which had held the top position for six consecutive years.

Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics in the Netherlands took first place in the ranking, which evaluated 166 MBA programmes. UCT's Graduate School of Business director and dean, Dr Catherine Duggan, attributed the improvement to changes in the MBA programme. These changes aim to prepare students for complex business challenges, including technological disruption and sustainability. The programme introduced new courses, such as Navigating Digital Disruption and Data-Driven Decision Making.

The new courses examine the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on business models and management decisions. They also consider the social and ethical implications of these technologies, including who benefits from their use and how they can support inclusive growth. The programme's African focus is another important aspect, with students learning to work in uncertain markets. This approach helps students adapt to complex business environments.

The school has also changed its teaching and assessment methods to encourage critical thinking about technology. For example, in one accounting assignment, students use AI to complete a project before examining and questioning its results. According to Dr Duggan, 83% of core courses now engage with issues of impact and sustainability, compared to an average of 49% across the top 40 schools in the ranking.

The ranking places greater emphasis on graduate outcomes, with the weighting given to graduate impact doubling from 10% to 20%. This measures the number of graduates working in sustainability-related positions or at organisations with a social or environmental mission. Dr Duggan reported that 62% of UCT GSB's recent graduates were working in impact-focused roles and organisations, compared to an average of 25% among other schools in the ranking.

These graduates work in various fields, including renewable energy, sustainable development, financial services, social enterprises, and organisations supporting digital transformation across Africa. Associate professor and modular MBA programme director, Caitlin Ferreira, highlighted the importance of the stronger focus on graduate outcomes. This approach looks beyond what students learn in the classroom to how they apply their qualifications in the workplace.

Ferreira emphasised that the programme's African focus and approach to business education reflect the knowledge and innovation coming from the continent. The school aims to build a position in the global market that showcases African perspectives and insights. The ranking demonstrates that UCT has become a global leader in business education, highlighting the work being done across Africa.

Key points

• UCT's MBA programme is the highest ranked in Africa.
• The programme introduced new courses on digital disruption and data-driven decision making.
• 62% of UCT GSB's recent graduates work in impact-focused roles and organisations.