Meet Derek Jansen (MBA)
Derek is the founder of Grad Coach.
Passionate about democratising access to research skills (and the academic world more broadly), Derek focuses on growing Grad Coach’s reach and impact across the globe. Under his leadership, Grad Coach has supported over 10,000 students one-on-one and reached more than 15 million learners through free content.
More practically, Derek is also involved in the Grad Coach “content machine”, regularly contributing to the popular YouTube channel podcast and blog. He frequently hosts free workshops, covering practical research challenges such as breaking through writer’s block, mastering the literature review, and optimising the research process.
Background & Experience
Derek’s academic journey began with a Diploma in Digital Marketing (Distinction) from the Digital Marketing Institute in Ireland. He then went on to complete his MBA with distinction at Henley Business School, University of Reading, earning both the Henley UK Prize and the Henley SA Prize.
While studying for his MBA, Derek discovered his passion for teaching and student development. By helping classmates at different levels — from those at risk of failing to those performing strongly — he saw first-hand how accessible guidance could transform students’ confidence and outcomes. This experience planted the seed that later grew into Grad Coach.
Professionally, Derek has built and managed businesses across a range of industries, including entertainment, marketing, and financial services. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the Vega School of Branding and the University of Johannesburg. Since founding Grad Coach, Derek has steered the business from a small, one-man coaching practice into a global platform, blending personalised coaching with accessible learning resources. He plays an active role in shaping Grad Coach’s ethos of human-centred, ethical support – avoiding shortcuts and instead focusing on plain-language, hands-on guidance that empowers students to succeed independently.
