Remain relevant in a world of rapid technology changes:
The skills acquired through this PGDip will serve all managers, not only IT managers. It will help you to become digital and data literate in order to manage new technologies in your environment. It is also aimed at improving the leadership capabilities of all managers regarding the management of new technology. This translates into strengthening your organisation’s resilience amidst the increasing digitisation of services, products, devices and ways of working.
The Futures Studies underpinning of the PGDip will help you understand the forces and trends that shape the future in terms of new technologies. It will help you to make better long-term decisions.
You will learn how to use a framework to deal with current and future technological changes and to respond appropriately to the increasing digitisation of services, products, devices, and ways of working. This will strengthen your organisation’s resilience.
In addition, this PGDip includes a module on responsible leadership, which will help you take your stakeholders along on a journey of technological change.m This internationally accredited PGDip is the only programme of its kind presented in Africa, and one of only a few in the world. Passed at a certain level, it can give you access to the MPhil Futures Studies.
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Diploma Futures Studies Managing New Technologies
Programme dates (blended):
- 16 January (Orientation) Remote. Classes commence 17 January @ 16:00 until 6 December Hyflex
- Blended groups run multiple evenings in one week
- Foundation modules – Tuesday (Blended 1), Wednesdays (Blended 2), Thursdays (Blended 3).
- Specialisation modules – Wednesdays
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.
SHL selection test
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
1 year or 2 years
How to apply
Click here to see the 8 steps of the application process.
Course Structure and Content
It is about not being left behind
The PGDip Futures Studies stream in Managing New Technologies is aimed at improving the leadership capabilities of all managers regarding the management of new technology. It is also aimed at improving the organisation’s ability to become more resilient amidst the increasing digitisation of services, products, devices and ways of working.
The skills acquired through this PGDip will serve managers in all functional areas. It will help to break down the fear of change and the fear of being left behind while others are embracing technology. It will help managers on all levels to become digital and data literate in order to manage new technologies in their environments.
This PGDip will provide you with a framework within which you can deal with both current and future technological changes. It includes a module on responsible leadership, which will help you to take your stakeholders along on a journey of technological change.
Why the positioning of MNT within a Futures Studies environment?
Futures Studies will help you understand the forces and trends that shape the future – in this case the continuous development of new technologies. 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.
Acquire a unique skill set
This internationally accredited Postgraduate Diploma Futures Studies is the only programme of its kind presented in Africa, and one of only a few in the world. It will help you to strengthen your organisation’s resilience in the context of changing and disruptive new technologies.
This programme is aimed at leaders, managers, strategic planners and consultants involved in companies, divisions, start-ups, projects or networks of gig workers who need to take the management of new technologies into account in longer term planning.
The skill set acquired through this programme will add value to managers in any industry. This includes those working in IT, management and consulting, entertainment or the creative industries, education, and financial services.
If you are involved in long-term decisions regarding the adoption of new technologies for strategic gain, this PGDip will give you a unique advantage. It will also enable you to play a significant role in creating a time horizon of a better future for South Africa and for Africa.
The modules of the PGDip Futures Studies are split into a foundation phase (covering skills, frameworks and tools you can apply in any field of work) and a specialisation phase (stream-specific modules).
You need to do four of the following five 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
Next, you need to do the four stream-specific specialisation phase modules:
- Term 1: Management of Technology and Innovation (15 credits)
- Term 2: The Future of Technology (15 credits)
- Term 3: New Technologies Taxonomy (15 credits)
- Term 4: Managing New Technologies Capstone (15 credits)
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
2-year PGDip
- 8 Modules
- Delivery of foundation modules in Year 1:
- Blended learning format: 1 late afternoon session every second week
- Delivery of specialisation modules in Year 2:
- Blended learning format: 1 late afternoon session every second week
Notes:
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?
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 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
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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