www.wbs.ac.za

Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing

Marketing today is the company function charged with managing profitable customer relationships. Equally it defines targeted customer groups and aims to satisfy their needs and demands competitively and profitably by offering superior value in terms of products, services and experiences.

Strategic Marketing Management takes place in a strategic context and aligns the goals and objectives of the marketing function with those of other functional areas and the organisation as a whole. The role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) now extends beyond a market-driven orientation to the organisation; the CMO has become a strategic partner in developing meaningful growth opportunities where return on marketing investment can be measured, whilst driving up shareholder value.

The overall objective of the Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing is to give the student the opportunity to understand and apply theories, principles, models and techniques as they apply to the different areas of marketing, but most specifically within a strategic context.

The programme is two-part. It includes in-depth course work through a number of modules taught by academics and industry experts, followed by a dissertation that interrogates a research topic of the student’s choice.

I look forward to welcoming you onto the programme!

MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Laurence BederProgramme Director

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The course starts with a day of Orientation to introduce you to WBS and the programme, and to facilitate the smooth functioning of syndicates. The rest of the programme consists of ten core courses and a research report. Course work is typically conducted in a block-release format with lectures scheduled over a number of days.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

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WHAT DOES THE CURRICULUM LOOK LIKE?

CORE COURSES:

Quarter 1:

• Strategic Marketing Management• Research Methodology for

Marketing Management• Customer Equity Management• Applied Consumer Behaviour

Quarter 2:• Advanced Strategic Marketing• Accounting and Finance for

Marketing Management

Quarter 3:

• Strategic Brand Management • Integrated Marketing

Communication & Digital Marketing

Quarter 4: • Research Theory and Design• Applied Services Marketing

RESEARCH REPORT

The research report comprises almost 50% of the total mark allocation of the Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing programme. It is the culmination of the course work and builds on the fundamentals of all the courses attended.

Students are required to choose a suitable marketing topic, and then develop it into a research proposal. This proposal is evaluated by a panel, after which the student works with their supervisor to collect and analyse data, and present the results according to the guidelines given in the Research Methodology course.

The final research report is evaluated both internally and externally in terms of its contribution to scholarly knowledge, practical application and research rigour.

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The Wits Business School is the Graduate School of Business Administration at Wits University, part of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (CLM). As one of the highest rated research universities in the world, Wits has a rich history in human rights advocacy and maintains a robust presence in South Africa’s civil society. The university is in the vanguard of a burgeoning and globally-engaged Africa, one that seeks solutions to challenges that impact no only Africa, but the world.

WHY WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL?

QUALITY OF FACULTY

WBS boasts the highest number of PhDs of any business school in South Africa. Our lecturers are known for their outstanding teaching abilities, as well as their business and research experience. Our faculty prides itself on its diversity, as well as its local and international management expertise.

CASE CENTRE

WBS was the first business school in South Africa to establish its own Case Centre, which has developed well over 200 case studies, most of which focus on South African organisations. The case method enriches the learning experience by bringing real-life scenarios into the classroom.

ACCREDITATIONS

WBS is accredited by the London based Association of MBAs (AMBA), is a founding member of the South African Business School Association (SABSA) and a member of the Association of African Business Schools (AABS). We are also proud to be the only African business school to be a member of the Programme in International Management (PIM), a network of 60 leading business schools around the world.

ALUMNI NETWORK

WBS is proud of its extensive network of alumni around the world, many of our graduates hold senior management positions in organisations both locally and abroad. Our active Alumni Office arranges several networking events for alumni, with guest speakers, throughout the year.

PUBLIC DISCOURSE

Hosting a number of topical events every year, WBS is continually building on its reputation as a centre for discourse, debate and discussion. Our public lectures attract this country’s foremost thought leaders, academics, businesspeople and experts in their field, who lead panel discussions on business-relevant issues facing South Africa and the rest of the continent.

LOCATION

WBS is situated on its own beautiful campus in Parktown, Johannesburg with easy access to highways.

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FACILITIES, RESOURCES AND SERVICES

ICT FACILITIES

WBS has a well-equipped computer laboratory and Wi-Fi is available throughout the campus. Students have access to our e-learning platform, Sakai and there are numerous printers available for students’ use.

FOOD AND COFFEE

Our on-site canteen serves a wide variety of delicious meals and snacks, including home-made cakes and cappuccinos to fuel the academic debate! Opposite the School is ‘Mike’s Kitchen’ restaurant, a historical landmark and popular meeting place for students and business people.

research and information needs of students, but also acts as a management research archival repository for Wits University, holding a reserve of over 45 years of MBA and other management discipline research theses.

LIBRARY

Our comfortable and well-stocked library, known as the WBS Management Library, holds over 15 000 volumes of books and collections and subscribes to over 200 database journals. The library not only services the day-to-day

Applications/Enquiries:+27 (0)861 000 927applications2017.wbs@wits.ac.za

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:

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• Only online applications are accepted. Please go to www.wbs.ac.za and click on online applications on the top right hand corner.

• Please ensure that all information is correct and that you have uploaded everything on the checklist (below).

Deadline for applications 2018: 30 September, 2017

APPLICATION PROCESS CHECKLIST

Online application form

Management Part III form (https://www.wits.ac.za/capture/form/PartIII.do)

Letter of motivation

Copy of degree certificates

Copies of your academic transcripts (for graduates of universities other than Wits)

Proof of English language proficiency(for students who have not studied tertiary level English)

Non-refundable application fee of R 1 500REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION:

First degree and postgraduate studies (preferably an Honours degree, but a first-class Bachelor’s degree with any recognised and accredited postgraduate degree or diploma from any discipline is recognised).

Two-four years’ work experience in an appropriate field.

Successful completion of the WBS Admissions Test.

Mathematics and English: a level of competence equivalent to the requirements of the South African matriculation is advisable.

Interview: Candidates may also be required to attend an interview with WBS faculty to determine their suitability for the programme.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students whose prior degrees were not awarded by a South African university must submit a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate. (Note: this process can take up to three months to finalise.)

On acceptance:Should your application be successful, an amount of R15 000 will be payable on acceptance. This amount is non-refundable and will be offset against the registration fee payable in your first year.

FEESRFees for the MMSM for 2017 are quoted as

R130 920.00**Please note: Fee is subject to review in January 2018.

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In 2012, I had read a lot on masters programmes from various business schools across the country. I came across the Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing (MMSM), which was offered at Wits Business School. I gave myself two years to work on getting the necessary experience required by the programme. I joined the programme as part of the 2015 cohort and graduated in July 2016. I went on to register for a PhD, which I intend to complete in 2018. As marketers, we operate in a very dynamic environment that is ever changing with consumer needs and competitors. So, I needed to be able to differentiate myself from other marketers with cutting edge knowledge from leading academics from WBS, which enabled me to think strategically and make more informed business decisions. MMSM has been phenomenal for the knowledge I have gained and the opportunity to align that with my career as a PhD student and a future chief marketing officer.

- Siphiwe Dlamini, Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing (2016)

I greatly enjoyed the WBS learning environment and the lectures in Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing were very thought provoking and interactive. Classes provided exposure to the latest academic thinking and often included guest speakers from the business world, which really brought the theory to life. I also had the opportunity to meet classmates from diverse fields and learn about different companies, and make extensive professional contacts for the future. The coursework assignments such as case studies, group projects and presentations challenged me to think in new ways to solve real-life business issues under tight time pressure. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone interested in pursuing a graduate degree, as it gives you a significant edge professionally and personally.

- Kambe Mwaba, Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing (2016)

After completing my MBA, I realized that not only should the learning not stop but also, I would require a more specialized degree to ensure my relevance, differentiation and continuity for my career going forward. I found a love for all things marketing during my MBA studies and after consultation with various program lecturers and directors, I was amazed and excited about the strategic and focussed approach WBS takes, to a field of study, assumed to be for the more creative inclined.

Their focus is on developing the students’ strategic thinking and critical analysis skills, all whilst ensuring we become the best marketers for a new developing economy. The learning process was further aided by the composition of a cohort consisting of some of the best marketing professionals and academics in Africa and abroad. I am proud to have been a part of this unique program and excited for the new era of marketing my colleagues and I will step into.

- Dewald Geldenhuys, Master of Management in the field of Strategic Marketing (2016)

TESTIMONIALS

Wits Business SchoolThe University of the Witwatersrand

2 St David’s Place | Parktown 2193 GPS coordinates: -26.1808 / 28.0369 PO Box 98 Wits 2050 Johannesburg

+27 (0) 11 717 3544

www.wbs.ac.za