Our internationally accredited PGDip Futures Studies will help you understand the forces and trends that shape the future, and the nature of global change. This will enable you to manage long-term organisational strategies aimed at designing the ideal future. The programme will also equip you with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment while taking Africa and South Africa’s developmental challenges into account. This will allow you to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities.
A transformative learning experience awaits you – particularly if you see your future self as a strategist, long-range decision maker, manager or leader. It is the only programme of its kind presented in Africa, and one of only a few in the world.
What is Futures Studies? Futures Studies is not about predicting the future, but rather about understanding how various futures will unfold. It 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 equips decision makers with ways to deal with change and to make the right decisions to survive but preferably thrive in a changing world. Futures Studies is about acquiring strategic foresight to make long-range decisions in order to leverage competitive risk mitigation and opportunity sensing.
Blended
Programme dates (blended):
- 16 January (Orientation) Remote. Classes commence 17 January @ 16:00 until 6 December Hyflex
- Blended groups run multiple evenings in one weekFoundation modules – Tuesday (Blended 1), Wednesdays (Blended 2), Thursdays (Blended 3).
- Specialisation modules – Wednesdays
Modular
Programme dates (On campus):
- 27 February – 3 March (Orientation on the Monday) –
- 22 – 26 May
- 14 – 18 August
- 30 October – 3 November
What you need to apply
- Academic qualifications: An appropriate Bachelor’s degree
- Work experience: A minimum of two years of experience in strategic management or strategic planning
- Selection test: SHL selection test (see below). This test is done online.
- Essay: You need to write an essay (see below).
- Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
Duration
1 year or 2 years
Choose between 2 formats – both allowing you to study while you work
Blended Learning (combination of online and on campus classes) and Modular (blocks of on-campus classes spread over time). Find more information about Blended Learning’s combination of technology with a strong human touch here.
Choose from 2 streams
General, and Managing New Technology
How to apply
Click here to see the 8 steps of the application process.
Course Structure and Content
The modules of the PGDip Future Studies are split into a foundation phase (covering skills, frameworks, and tools you can apply in any field of work) and a specialisation phase (programme-specific modules).
The PGDip Futures Studies is designed to expose you to:
- The nature of global change, its rapid pace, and its ever-increasing complexity
- An understanding of the forces and trends that shape the future, allowing you to leverage opportunities and mitigate risk in good time
- The management of organisational strategies so as to create a desired future.
In addition to learning about the tools required to measure the future, you will encounter ways and means of designing a more desired future. Indeed, this is the spirit that drives Futures Studies – we can, if we so wish, conspire to co-create the future we want. This qualification is therefore aimed at those people who wish to enhance their understanding of possible changes in their long-term future and their ability to respond accordingly. This is particularly important for the development of a growing number of open-minded citizens and institutions capable of displaying a holistic understanding of the social, ethical, political, technical and economic forces shaping the future.
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 into account the unique developmental challenges of Africa and South Africa. These challenges typically include health deficits, education deficits, global participation and human security.
If you are a strategist, managing director, CEO or involved in strategic planning, this Postgraduate Diploma in Futures Studies will give you a unique advantage in the industry.
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. This, in turn, requires the development of individuals and institutions with a holistic understanding of the social, ethical, political, technical and economic forces shaping the future.
Therefore, the programme is aimed at, among others, strategic planners, managing directors, CEOs and anybody involved in strategic planning over five to 20 years and longer. The programme is also aimed at anyone who wants to play a role in creating a better future for South Africa and for Africa.
This programme will therefore prepare you for senior-level positions in public and private corporations, in government, financial institutions and global institutions.
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You need to do 4 of the following 5 foundation phase modules:
- Term 1: Understanding the World (compulsory)
- Term 2: Responsible Leadership (compulsory)
- Term 3: Thinking Frameworks (compulsory)
- Term 4: Organisational Behaviour OR Managing Risk and Uncertainty
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Next, you need to do the four specialisation phase modules:
- Term 1: Principles of Futures Studies
- Term 2: Applied Philosophy
- Term 3: Measuring and Making the Future
- Term 4: Futures Studies in Practice
Blended Learning classes:
Late-afternoon classes once every week for those doing their PGDip over 1 year, or once every fortnight for those doing their PGDip over 2 years. The blended learning classes are presented online (and also on campus depending on Covid restrictions).
The specialisation modules and core modules alternate weekly. This means one week of specialisation modules is followed by one week of core modules. The specialisation modules are presented on Wednesday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (with 15-minute break from 18:00 to 18:15), while the core modules are presented on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (with 15-minute break from 18:00 to 18:15).
The online classes are presented synchronously with the on-campus classes.
Advantages:
Flexibility: Study while you work with the flexibility of digital class attendance, which means minimum time away from work. Attending regular weekly or fortnightly classes can be likened to running a marathon.
Less travel: The blended learning delivery option opens up access to students from elsewhere in South Africa, from other African countries and even further afield. This can also lower the opportunity cost to obtain this qualification as you can attend all classes online.
Modular classes:
Four full blocks of classes spread over the year if you are doing the one-year PGDip (i.e. morning and afternoon classes from Monday to Friday), or four blocks of either morning or afternoon classes per year if you are doing the two-year PGDip (i.e. morning or afternoon classes from Monday to Friday).
Advantages:
Flexibility: Study while you work, with in-class experience and focused studies. Think of the modular blocks as sprints.
An immersive experience: Being on campus for a week at a time allows you to focus on your studies without interruption from work. Working with your classmates in a face-to-face environment adds another dimension to collaborative (peer-to-peer) learning and network building.
1-year PGDip
- 8 Modules
- Delivery mode for all modules (foundation and specialisation):
- Blended learning format: 1 late afternoon session per week for 40 weeks + 4 weeks of assessments
- Modular format: 4 full modular blocks spread over the year (i.e. mornings and afternoons)
2-year PGDip
- 8 Modules
- Delivery of foundation modules in Year 1:
- Blended learning format: 1 late afternoon session every second week
- Modular format: 4 block weeks per year with classes either in the morning or the afternoon
- Delivery of specialisation modules in Year 2:
- Blended learning format: 1 late afternoon session every second week
- Modular format: 4 block weeks per year with classes either in the morning or the afternoon
Notes:
- Each modular block runs from Monday to Friday, except the first modular block which runs from Monday to Saturday.
- South African students who select the 2-year option will be able to pay their fees over 2 years.
Programme Head
Prof
André
Roux
Need more information?
Download brochure to discover more about our programmes
Understand the forces and trends that shape the future, and the nature of global change. This programme will enable you to manage long-term organisational strategies aimed at designing the ideal future. The programme will also equip you with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment while taking Africa and South Africa’s developmental challenges into account.
Programme Fees
Application fee and SHL tests 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fees for second and subsequent years of enrolment: These fees will be adjusted to make provision for annual price increases.
- Travel and accommodation: Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply
- Academic qualifications: An appropriate Bachelor’s degree
- Work experience: A minimum of two years of experience in strategic management or strategic planning
- Selection test: SHL selection test (see below). This test is done online.
- Essay: You need to write an essay (see below).
- Additional documentation: A comprehensive CV indicating your work experience.
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. See Recognition of prior learning lower down in this section.
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.
An essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below is to be submitted in pdf format:
Stellenbosch Business School aspires to be a source of value for a better world. How are your career goals aligned with being a source of value for a better world, and how would this postgraduate programme assist you in achieving your short-term (2 to 3 years) and long-term (10 years) career goals?
You need to complete the SHL abilities selection test as part of your application process. The test consists of verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, which are used for selection and for the identification of your development areas.
- Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
- Preparation: No preparation is required. However, you are encouraged to perform a practice test to familiarise yourself with the test format. See shl.com/shldirect/en-us/practice-tests/
- About the test: The SHL test is done online. (Random verification might be requested.) You will be provided with a link to the SHL test once you have paid your PGDip Futures Study application fee and SHL selection test fee, and after you have submitted your application form and have received your provisional student number. (You need to use this provisional student number when writing the SHL.)
- Cost: See bank details under How to apply and use your provisional student number as reference. The application fee and SHL selection test fee can be paid online, and both are non-refundable.
- Link to the SHL selection test: You do not have to arrange with the Business School to write the SHL test. You will receive a link to the test once the relevant payments have been received and you have submitted your application form. The Business School will receive your results directly from SHL and will upload it to your application form on your behalf.
- Additional information: shl.com/en/assessments/cognitive-ability/
- Important: The SHL selection test is valid for 18 months. If your SHL selection test results are older than this, you should ideally rewrite the test as people grow and develop and assessments need to take this into account. The Business School does not consider SHL tests from other institutions as you may have written a different type or level of test, or you may have been compared to a different comparison group. If you have completed the SHL with Stellenbosch Business School during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.
Stellenbosch Business School provides wider access to its programmes through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. In line with the requirements of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Stellenbosch Business School may admit up to 10% of its student body per programme under RPL. Candidates who wish to be admitted under the RPL policy will firstly have to submit all the documentation and tests as required for all prospective students. In addition, prospective PGDip students under the RPL policy have to adhere to the following:
- Have at least an NQF 4 qualification (all school and academic certificates are required).
- Have at least 10 years of working experience after obtaining a school leaving certificate, of which at least 5 years should have been in a management or related professional position.
- Submit a comprehensive CV. It must indicate detailed areas of responsibility as well as information on activities outside the work environment.
- Provide the Business School with at least two persons who can testify about the candidates managerial or related professional abilities (typically current or former line heads). The referents will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be download from the application form.
- Submit the SHL selection test results (if these were not sent directly to the Business School)
- Write and submit three motivational essays (specific topics are provided).
The RPL selection process entails the following:
- The programme head and another academic will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate and make a recommendation about admission.
- Stellenbosch Business School’s Admissions Committee will consider the full application including the interview recommendation and the inputs received from the references for admission.
- A notice of admission is sent via the Business School’s Academic Planning Committee to the Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences for notification.
- RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October each year to allow sufficient time for the assessment process.
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.
An appropriate Bachelor’s degree. A minimum period of two years of experience in strategic management or strategic planning.
Yes, but on a volunteer basis only. Alumni from Stellenbosch Business School offer to mentor students during their studies and to provide career or industry advice. This service is offered in association with the Business School’s Alumni Relations Office and Career Leadership Office.
Academic assistance is offered via a web-based learning environment, various software and database resources, small-team study groups, informal learning groups and tutorials for certain modules.
Yes, South African students can spread the payment of their fees:
Payment of full programme fees for South African students: Students pay a set deposit on admittance. Students on the 1-year PGDip 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 on the 2-year PGDip can spread their payment over 2 years.
Payment of full programme fees for international students: International admitted students on the 1-year PGDip pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due 2 weeks before commencement of the programme.
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.
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