Applications now open for UCT online Postgraduate Diplomas [SPONSORED]

The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with online education company GetSmarter, has launched the continent’s first two postgraduate diplomas to be delivered online, in blended learning format. The official launch will exponentially increase access to these prestigious qualifications presented by South Africa’s most respected university.

“It is a privilege to partner with such a forward-thinking university to deliver these esteemed postgraduate diploma programmes to learners across Africa,” reports Sam Paddock, CEO of GetSmarter, “We look forward to opening the doors of opportunity for those seeking to advance their learning through part-time, distance education.”

These programmes are the first to be presented in blending learning format as part of the partnership’s Across Africa Initiative, adopting the use of an interactive online education platform, combined with an element of traditional learning. This unique format allows learners the flexibility to retain full-time employment, while advancing a career through specialised study.

Convened and administered by dedicated specialists, both postgraduate diploma programmes extensively draw on relevant case studies, video lectures from industry thought leaders, practically focused projects, and interactive learning methods. The learning material includes module notes, video lectures, discussion forums, practice quizzes, assignments, tests, recommended reading and references. Learners will also have full access to UCT’s Career Development Programme, Library and other support services.

The programmes require between 10 to 20 hours of study per week, and it is recommended that learners set aside one to two hours per weekday, and five to ten hours per weekend. Exams will be written at specified exam writing centres in major cities across South Africa.

UCT Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Marketing

Traditionally offered only to learners based at the UCT Cape Town campus, this programme was originally developed to offer non-business degree graduates the opportunity to learn about both specific and general business functions, with a marketing focus. Designed to equip learners with a management outlook within the field of marketing, and establish a network of ambitious future industry leaders, this diploma will enable learners to successfully compete for mainstream marketing management roles in organisations both locally and internationally.

This programme is delivered part-time over 2 years, and commences in February 2015.

Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management

This diploma is the first of its kind to provide an in-depth and holistic working knowledge of the project management discipline, and how it applies in the context of the modern business. This programme is offered in a blended learning format.

The Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management is designed to address the shortage of skilled project managers currently impacting various business sectors across South Africa.

Owing to the drive towards projectisation in almost every kind of organisation, there are increasingly vast career opportunities available for professionals skilled in these advanced project management techniques. Graduates of this programme will gain the skills and expertise needed to compete for high-level project management roles locally and internationally.

The 1-year part-time programme commences in February 2015.

Professor Don Ross, Dean of Commerce and Professor of Economics at UCT, acknowledges the significance of the UCT and GetSmarter partnership, an exciting merger of traditional learning and online learning: “A best-practice modern education platform is a marriage of two components: authoritative content and a delivery platform that makes learning work for a diversity of learners who expect strong interactivity and fast feedback. UCT’s Commerce Faculty provides the former. In Africa, GetSmarter are the champion builders of the latter.”

For further details regarding programme details and application process, contact Timothy Dimech at timothy.dimech@uct.ac.za or 021 447 7565. Alternatively for more information click here.