This internationally accredited MPhil Futures Studies will equip you with strategic foresight to make long-range decisions, mitigate risk and sense opportunities – essential competencies for strategists and senior leaders. You will learn how to respond to change and to make the right decisions to thrive as a result of change.
As the only programme of its kind presented in Africa, and one of only a few in the world, it will equip you with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment while taking Africa and South Africa’s unique developmental challenges into account.
A transformative learning experience awaits you – particularly if you see your future self as a strategist, long-range decision maker, consultant or corporate leader.
Blended
Programme dates: (Blended)
Year 1 (2022):
- Weekly classes: 03 February – 08 September
- (Thursday evenings from 16:00 – 20:15)
Fees: R199,399
Duration: 2 years
Admissions requirements
Academic qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma Futures Studies, with an average of at least 65%.
Additional requirements: All modules must be passed for the degree to be conferred.
Documents needed for application
- Certified copies of your academic records
- Certified copies of your degree certificates
- Copy of your ID/Passport
- Copy of your CV
- Verification consent form
- Application fee
Duration
2 years
(class programme and research assignment)
Format
Year 1 comprises 5 core modules delivered in 25 weekly sessions (on campus or online). Year 2 comprises the research assignment.
Blended Learning programme: Attend weekly blended learning classes (using an internet-linked laptop) in Year 1, and one on-campus block (which covers the electives) in Year 2.
How to apply
Click here to see the 7 steps of the application process
Deadlines for Applications
Closed
Course Structure and Content
The content of MPhil Futures Studies is aligned with the professional and intellectual skills required of futurists. You will, among others, acquire consultation and facilitation capabilities, and learn how to manage projects and do stakeholder analysis, environmental scanning, scenario planning and strategic planning.
This programme runs over two years, covering five modules and a research assignment.
Year 1: Do five core modules delivered via on-campus or online classes: The course content is presented through a series of lectures and workshops. This is presented in blended learning format. This is where you can choose between on-campus classes and online classes (subject to Covid-19 regulations). The weekly on-campus classes (4 hours per session) are presented at the Business School’s campus. The online classes, delivered synchronously with the on-campus classes, can be followed via an internet-linked laptop from anywhere in the world. The modules are Scanning the Environment; Demography; Technology Futures; Applied Futures Studies; and Quantitative and Qualitative Futures Studies Methods. (Find more information about Blended Learning’s combination of technology with a strong human touch here.)
Year 2: Research assignment: You need to complete a research assignment during the second year of enrolment which counts for 80 of your total course credits. This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to a field of your choice.
This programme consists of 5 modules:
- Scanning the Environment
- Demography
- Technology Futures
- Applied Futures Studies
- Quantitative and Qualitative Futures Studies Methods
You need to complete a research assignment during the second year of enrolment which counts for 80 of your total course credits. This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to a field of your choice.
Programme Head
Prof
André
Roux
Need more information?
Download brochure to discover more about our programmes
As the only programme of its kind presented in Africa, and one of only a few in the world, it will equip you with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment while taking Africa and South Africa’s unique developmental challenges into account.
Programme Fees
Application fee for 2023
Tuition fees for 2023
Important:
- Payment of full programme fees for South African students: South African students can pay the full programme fees upon registration, or they can pay 75% of the annual fees by the end of May and the balance of 25% by the end of September. Students can also spread their payment over two years. Fees include tuition, assessment and e-textbooks.
- Payment of full programme fees for international students: International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due two weeks before commencement of the programme. Fees include tuition, assessment and e-textbooks.
- Deposit: All students pay a deposit on acceptance of admission. South African students must pay a set deposit on admittance. International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The deposit payable is non-refundable.
- Application fee: The application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Additional fees for international students: International students pay an International Registration Fee (IRF) per academic year. Students from countries other than those in the Southern African Development Community also pay an International Tuition Fee (ITF) (i.e. students from SADC countries are exempt from the ITF).
- Assessment of international students’ applications: International students require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate their degrees according to South African standards. The Business School’s International Affairs Office will first handle the credential evaluations of international students free of charge. Students need to complete the online application and upload all certificates with their application. The International Affairs Office will conduct an in-house credential evaluation after you have submitted your application. Should the International Affairs Office be unsure about the status, recognition or accreditation of your qualification, we reserve the right to refer you to SAQA. The Business School will only assess your application once we have received your application fee and SHL fee.
- Fees for 2024: The fees for the second year of enrolment will be adjusted to make provision for annual price increases.
- Study materials: Some core textbooks and other study material will be provided to students and the cost thereof is included in the tuition fees. These books become the property of the student.
- Travel and accommodation: Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply
- Academic qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma Futures Studies, with an average of at least 65%.
- Additional requirements: All modules must be passed for the degree to be conferred.
International students
International students require a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate to evaluate their degrees according to South African standards. The Business School’s International Affairs Office will first handle the credential evaluations of international students free of charge. Students need to complete the online application and upload all certificates with their application. The International Affairs Office will, as part of the application process, conduct an in-house credential evaluation after you have submitted your application. However, should the International Affairs Office be uncertain about the status, recognition or accreditation of your qualification, we reserve the right to refer you to SAQA before we consider your application further
Vetting process
All degrees undergo a formal vetting process to eliminate fraudulent applications.
Recognition of Prior Learning: The Business School provides wider access to its programmes through its RPL process. This means that, even if you do not have the required qualifications, you can still apply based on the management experience you have gained. You still need to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students, plus additional requirements.
It’s about gaining strategic foresight
The two-year MPhil Futures Studies equips you with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment while taking into account the unique developmental challenges facing Africa and South Africa. These challenges typically include health deficits, education deficits, global participation, and human security.
You will develop long-range decision-making competencies allowing you to design to future you want for your organisation. This will include the ability to mitigate risks and make the most of opportunities based on your ability to see in which way the world is growing.
This is the only programme of its kind presented on Master’s level in Africa, and one of only a few in the world. If you are a strategist, managing director, CEO or a manager or specialist involved in strategic planning, the MPhil Futures Studies will give you a unique advantage in your industry. It will also benefit you if you want to play a role in creating a better future for South Africa and for Africa.
A transformative learning experience awaits you – particularly if you see your future self as a strategist, long-range decision maker, consultant or corporate leader.
Futures Studies serves the needs of individuals, groups, organisations and governments that wish to gain an understanding of possible changes in their long-term future and to respond accordingly. This is particularly important in the light of Africa’s and South Africa’s imperative to raise the quality of life. The programme is therefore aimed at:
- Strategic planners, managing directors, CEOs and anybody involved in strategic planning over five to 20 years and longer
- Anyone who wants to play a role in creating a better future for South Africa and for Africa.
- This programme will prepare you for senior-level positions in public and private corporations, in government, financial institutions and global institutions.
Contact Us
If you need more information on programmes or need support with the application process, contact us here:
Programme enquiries and support with the applications process
Charmaine Garcia
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 918 4246
Email: [email protected]
Admission and registration enquiries
Joanne Sleigh
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 918 4239
Email: [email protected]
What our students and alumni say
What our students and alumni say
Frequently Asked Questions
Futures Studies is about acquiring strategic foresight to make long-range decisions in order to mitigate risk and identify opportunities. You will gain an understanding how various futures will unfold so that you can make better decisions. Futures Studies analyses the interaction between a wide range of variables or forces, and distils from these forces those issues that will affect the future of a country, government, entity or individual. It studies the world of economics, politics, technology, demography, social values and other subject fields, both locally and globally. It therefore equips decision makers with ways to deal with change and to make the right decisions to survive but preferably thrive in a changing world.
If you play a role in the direction of a business, the decisions you make must be aligned with where the business world is going. Futures Studies will enhance your understanding of possible changes in the long-term future and equip you with the correct methods to respond accordingly. This will enable you to make better use of opportunities and also to contain risks more effectively.
The programme is therefore aimed at strategic planners, managing directors, CEOs and anybody involved in strategic long-term planning, and also to anyone who wants to play a role in creating a better future for South Africa and for Africa. The content of the programme is aligned with the professional and intellectual skills required of futurists. You will, among others, acquire consultation and facilitation capabilities, and learn how to manage projects and do stakeholder analysis, environmental scanning, scenario planning and strategic planning. This prepares you for senior-level positions in public and private corporations, in government, financial institutions and global institutions.
This programme runs over two years.
No, one would need to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Futures Studies first.
The closing dates for each programme appear on the web page for that programme. In general, the closing dates for international applicants from non-SADC African countries and rest of world close approximately three months prior to the closing date for applicants from South Africa and (visa-exempt) SADC countries. Obtaining a study permit (study visa) from the South African authorities takes up to 12 weeks from the date of being offered a place on a programme at Stellenbosch Business School – hence the early application deadline for international students. RPL candidates (all programmes) need to apply by 31 October each year. Late applications after the closing dates will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
The course content is presented through a series of lectures and workshops, delivered in blended learning format. With blended learning you can choose between on-campus classes and online classes. This makes the programme convenient and accessible for busy businesspeople and executives. It also means you can study while you work. Students need to be thoroughly prepared for blended learning lectures so as to extract optimal benefit from contact sessions.
For the course-based part of the programme, you can choose between attending weekly classes (4-hour classes) on campus or, alternatively, downstreaming the classes by logging in and participating online using your own computer or device.
Find more information about Blended Learning’s combination of technology with a strong human touch here.
Related Programmes
Related Articles
