Meet The Oxford MBA Student Crowdfunding His Tuition
Sarel is crowdfunding to pay for his Oxford MBA tuition fees
Sarel van Baalen is living his dream studying his MBA at Oxford Saïd Business School. To fund his studies, he’s getting creative
By Jasmine Lee-Zogbessou
Mon Sep 16 2019
Sarel van Baalen’s pursuit of an MBA at Oxford Saïd Business School has been a long time coming.
He’s been a keen entrepreneur from a young age. As a student at an all-boys boarding school in South Africa, he quickly found a way to make money.
His growing, teenage peers would always get hungry in the evenings. So, Sarel decided to use the small, unused storage room near his accommodation to open a tuck shop—with the headmaster’s permission, of course.
Grown up, Sarel moved into civil engineering, with a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s in engineering management. He’s spent the last five years working his way up to a development manager’s position at a construction company in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He now wants develop his skills, knowledge, and network at Oxford. But he is currently facing one big hurdle—the £57,200 ($70,000) tuition fees.
Why crowdfund?
Landing on Sarel’s MBA fund webpage, you’re met with an offer. ‘Venture with me to Oxford’, it says—tempting.
Those who do donate are given something in return (see below), part of Sarel’s charm offensive to encourage the masses—incentives are key, he adds.
His £7,200 ($8,800) in savings and a £15,000 ($18,000) scholarship from the Saïd Business School Foundation started his funding journey. But he realized that he needed a lot of help if he was going to fund the remaining £35,000 ($43,000).
Crowdfunding wasn’t his first option. He considered a loan but soon ruled it out. Too pricey; too much interest.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, around 40% of MBA graduates from top-ranking business schools endure at least $100,000 in debt through borrowing money.
While return on investment is high for an MBA, this return isn’t guaranteed until the end of the one or two-year program.
After some extensive research, Sarel came across several successful crowdfunding campaigns and reached out to the creators on LinkedIn for advice.
“If it was possible for them to do it, surely I should give it a chance?” he thought to himself.
Nearly a year later, he is now just over £22,000 ($27,000) away from his desired target. He’s starting at Oxford this month.
“I’m not asking other people to give me money,” says Sarel.
“I’m putting my case out to the world and inviting people to look at the case, look at something that they can connect or associate with, and feel that they would like to invest in this venture of mine. That’s really my approach.”
Using an MBA to make an impact
Africa needs an infrastructure revolution, says Sarel. With an Oxford MBA, he wants to provide that, helping to resolve the continent’s problems in water, energy, transport, and real estate.
In order to bridge its infrastructure gap, Sarel states that Africa must spend $130-to-$170 billion yearly. The continent is currently short by 60%, he adds.
Sarel aims to bridge this gap by using foreign investment, new technology, and local human capital across infrastructure projects within the continent.
‘Each donation is an investment in the venture’, Sarel states on his website, putting him one step closer to his ambitious goals.
The investment theme is an idea that he picked up from Peter Cohen, one of the individuals he had reached out to on LinkedIn.
Peter, a Cass Business School alum, created a crowdfunding page that allowed visitors to donate funds and expect a return within three years.
The idea came about as a solution to the 2011 global financial crisis, which affected the MBA loan scheme and investors alike.
Sarel was also inspired by an Oxford MBA alum, Jayanth Kashyap, who advised him on the look and feel of his website.
“I’ve actually implemented a lot of the changes he suggested,” Sarel says.
Jayanth told him the website’s message was too formal and too much like a business pitch.
“He said that you have to bring in a personal element and show who you are, and what you’re all about, [rather than] what the MBA is about or what Oxford is about.”
Sarel’s cause has been shaped by this advice, and he now sees crowdfunding as a viable option for future MBA candidates to strongly consider.
“There are so few of us that actually aspire to go to Oxford. You eliminate that option, especially with the exchange rate for international candidates, because it’s so difficult to pay for tuition.
“Crowdfunding will open up the possibility of doing an MBA for a lot of people,” he says.
When I first stepped onto the campus of City, University of London, I knew I was in for a ride - and not just on the Tube! With its vibrant energy and an impressive repertoire of programs, City U became my home away from home.
The Journalism program was kind of a big deal. Rumour was that we were the best in Europe!
The lecturers were not just experts in their field; they’re practically journalistic royalty. They were invested, passionate, and had a knack for turning the most flat press release into a riveting news story. With their guidance, I’ve learned to navigate the chaotic world of media like a pro.
The campus was a melting pot of every culture, being that we had such a diverse international crowd.
Being in the heart of London, I had the world at my fingertips - there was always a new corner to explore, a hidden gem of a cafe to discover, or a street performer!
City, University of London wasn't just a university; it was a chapter in my life story that I’ll never forget.
Lydia
Verified
23/02/2023
On Campus
Learning environment
The teacher-learner ration is manageable, giving each learner a chance to gain personal attention. It is also easier following up on the progress of a student, as the numbers per class is not large. the conducive environment for learning includes clean classes, standard desks, world class instructional facilities and the opportunity to engage lecturers even after their sessions. The team spirit at City is above board, with learners getting chance to learn both from instructors and colleagues. This is the university of choice; the place to be.
Nathaniel
Verified
24/01/2023
On Campus
Classes
I liked that each class had a manageable number of learners, making the professor-learner ratio favor knowledge acquisition. I also liked that study schedules were manageable, and not overwhelming. The focus on talents and gifts even within the learning environment makes it possible for learners to achieve the best of their potential, and this has worked to the advantage of those that have schooled at City, University of London
Muhammad
Verified
24/01/2023
On Campus
Classes
The diversity at City University facilitates interactions and is a direction toward the unity of the world. The classes are well built to match the number and needs of all students regardless of the elements of diversity that set people apart. The use of technology in delivery makes learning even more interesting and achievable. At City University there is no distinction pegged on the issues that make people unique.
Dorah
Verified
23/01/2023
On Campus
professors
The team of lecturers at the Uiversity are well experienced. Their level of insight and the methodologies of delivery works for the interes of the leaeners. My learning experience was largely boosted by the level of knowledge of the professors at the institution, and their passion to transfer the same to learners. I appreciate every class I attended because of the level of insight I was able to gather
Nora
Verified
17/12/2022
On Campus
The best university I’ve been to
The campus and the people I've met have made it a wonderful experience. I was reared in a small town with a graduating class of only 88 individuals, so moving to City University was a huge adjustment for me. My dorm has more residents than my whole high school combined! I enjoy the atmosphere here, and everyone is so friendly. Outstanding academic options and a stunning campus. Really great from beginning to end. The educators genuinely love what they do, and the students are ready to learn. On or around college, there is always something to do with friends, and the social scene is particularly warm.
Antonia
Verified
21/11/2022
On Campus
Bayes Business School
As a student at City university attending Bayes Business School I would totally recommend choosing this university as the experience is exceptional with great social networking opportunities . Professors are significantly helpful, delivering with excellence and professionalism. Everyone is happy to help and make you feel welcomed in such an esteem university as City, offering exceptional development and guidance through out the course.
Muhammad
Verified
15/11/2022
On Campus
Economics and Politics
Incredibly amazing university, the way they polish students and help them boost their morale and think intellectually is worthwhile. Many universities have international partnerships to allow exchanges between their students. The most obvious subjects for these opportunities would be those that involve languages, and the study of people and places.
Navya
Verified
11/11/2022
On Campus
Clinical biology
I really like it it’s perfect for me with not too many people and not too few either. All the modules are amazing. I love the toy bar. I love all the societies that I’ma part of. Especially the colour Bollywood society
