Project management – a scarce skill that makes business sense
This internationally accredited PGDip Project Management incorporates advanced management skills and strategic project management skills, allowing you to fill senior-level positions in any organisation. This will enable you to confidently manage projects in a competitive business environment.
Proficient project managers are in high demand as project management is universally accepted as a scarce skill. It is therefore completely understandable that Fortune Magazine identified project management as the number one career choice.
This PGDip is the only qualification of its kind delivered by a business school in South Africa. Passed at a certain level, it can give you access to an MBA, including Stellenbosch Business School’s MBA with Project Portfolio Management as focal area.
Study while you work: The flexible design of the programme allows you to choose the format (blended learning or modular) and duration (1 year or 2 years), making it easier for you to learn while you earn.
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Diploma Project Management
Modular
Dates for 2024: (on campus)*
- Block 1: 26 February – 2 March (Orientation on the Monday)
- Block 2: 20 – 24 May
- Block 3: 12 - 16 August
- Block 4: 28 October – 1 November
Fees: R101 520 (2023)
Duration: 1 or 2 years
*The Business School reserves the right to change programme dates and times.
Blended
Dates for 2024: (blended)*
- 15 January (Orientation) Remote
- Classes commence 16 January @ 16:00 until 4 December
- Classes can run multiple evenings in one week
Foundation modules – Tuesday (Blended 1), Wednesdays (Blended 2), Thursdays (Blended 3)
Specialisation modules – Wednesdays
Fees: R101 520 (2023)
Duration: 1 or 2 years
*The Business School reserves the right to change programme dates and times.
Why enrol for this programme?
- Manage projects with confidence in a competitive business environment
- Stay in demand by acquiring a scarce skill set
- Take on managerial positions in any industry
- Contribute to the empowerment of the workforce
- Gain access to an MBA
Duration
1 year or 2 years
Study while you work
The flexible design of this PGDip allows you to choose:
The format – blended learning or modular
Duration – 1 year or 2 years
Career path options
Gateway to general MBA or MBA in Project Portfolio Management
2023 application deadlines
South Africans: 30 November
SADC + rest of world: 15 November
Recognition of Prior Learning applicants: 31 October
Course Structure and Content
Become skilled in the business management of projects
The PGDip Project Management focuses on the business management of projects. This will allow you to confidently manage and contextualise projects in a competitive business. It is the only qualification of its kind delivered by a business school in South Africa.
The programme content is covered from a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective, enabling you to understand and manage the complex challenges faced by top-level project managers.
The programme requires high-level engagement with theoretical frameworks and international literature, and reflection on national and international project management practices. You will be required to research and analyse the areas covered in the programme, and to formulate recommendations that indicate critical intellectual engagement and independent thinking.
This PGDip reflects on both the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide, 6th edition) as well as Prince 2® Methodology.
An added advantage of the programme is the Business School’s association with the USA-based Project Management Institute’s South Africa Chapter. This allows you to use the PMI SA Chapter’s professional development activities to your advantage. For you this means access to workshops, conferences, speaker events, research and collaboration, and also outreach activities.
- Format: Modular (blocks of classes spread over time) and Blended Learning (weekly or fortnightly late-afternoon classes)
- 2 duration options: 1 year or 2 years
- Project managers from the whole spectrum of middle, senior and executive management levels in all economic sectors and in all types of private and public enterprises
- Managers who have the potential to be promoted to higher management positions
- Those who need an NQF level 8 qualification to apply for an MBA
Foundation phase modules and specialisation phase modules
The modules of the PGDip Project Management 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).
You need to do four of the following five foundation phase modules:
- Term 1: Understanding the World
- Term 2: Responsible Leadership
- Term 3: Managing of Projects
- Term 4: Organisational Behaviour OR Managing Risk and Uncertainty
Next, you need to do the four specialisation phase modules:
- Term 1: Project Communication Management
- Term 2: Project Procurement Contracting
- Term 3: Project Scheduling
- Term 4: Project Integration Management
Passed at a certain level, this PGDip can give you access to these programmes:
- MBA, which has 4 streams – generalist, Project Portfolio Management, Health Care Leadership, and the Management of International Organisations
- MPhil Leadership Coaching
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. Classes are presented on Tuesday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (short break included), and for some foundation modules on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (short break included). 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. It also lowers the opportunity cost to do this programme with us as it reduces travel and accommodation costs.
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.
You can choose to do the PGDip Project Management over 1 year or 2 years.
1-year PGDip
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
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
Also note the following:
- 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.
Stellenbosch Business School provides additional access to its programmes through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, as recommended by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The purpose of the Council on Higher Education’s policy on Recognition of Prior Learning is to develop and facilitate the implementation of RPL across the higher education sector and to base this on the principles of equity, access, inclusivity and redress of past unfair discrimination with regard to educational opportunities.
In line with the requirements of the Council on Higher Education, the Business School may admit up to 10% of its student body per programme under RPL.
Applicants who wish to be admitted under the RPL policy need to submit all the documentation as required for all prospective students. In addition, prospective RPL candidates applying for a PGDip with us need to adhere to the following:
- Have at least an NQF 4 qualification.
- 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, indicating detailed areas of responsibility as well as information of activities outside the work environment.
- Provide the Business School with the names and contact details of at least two persons who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional abilities (typically current or former line heads). These persons will be required to give a detailed personal reference about the candidate on forms provided by Stellenbosch Business School.
The RPL selection process entails the following:
- The Business School’s Admissions Committee (programme head and another academic) will conduct an in-depth interview with the candidate and make a recommendation about admission.
- The 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 at Stellenbosch University.
- RPL candidates need to apply by 31 October of each year to allow sufficient time for the assessment process.
- Note that the learning acknowledged in terms of RPL cannot also be used to grant exemption of credits within the same programme.
Programme Head
MC
Botha
Download brochure here
Download brochure to discover more about our programmes
This PGDip incorporates advanced management skills and strategic project management skills, enabling you to fill senior-level positions in organisations.
Programme Fees
Application fee for 2023
Tuition fees for 2023 (These are the fees for 2023. The fees for 2024 will be published here once they become available.)
Important:
- Payment of full programme fees for South African students: Students can pay the full programme fees upon registration, or they can pay 80% of the annual fees by the end of May and the balance of 20% by the end of September.
Payment schedule (calculated on outstanding fee after deposit payment):
28 February - 31 May - 20% x 4 months (80%)
30 June - 20 September - 5% x 4 months (20%) - Payment of full programme fees for international students: International admitted students pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due one month before commencement of the programme. The South African exchange rate favours international students.
- 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 and will be deducted from the total programme fees.
- Application fee: The application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Additional fees for international students: International students pay an International Registration Fee (IRF) per academic year. Students from countries other than those in the Southern African Development Community also pay an International Tuition Fee (ITF) (i.e. students from SADC countries are exempt from the ITF).
- Study materials: Study fees include tuition, assessment and e-textbooks.
- Travel and accommodation: Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and costs.
- Fee changes: Stellenbosch Business School reserves the right to change the fees at any time.
Please use your Student Number as Reference | Email proof of payment to [email protected] | Quote your student number in all correspondence.
Admission Requirements
Academic qualifications and other admission criteria
- Academic qualifications: A relevant Bachelor's or Honours degree
- Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in a project management position in an organisation
- Essay: See details of essay you need to write elsewhere on page.
- Comprehensive CV: Also indicate your work experience.
- Highly recommended: Mathematical skills equal to NQF Level 4
Write an essay
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?
What if you don’t have the academic qualifications to apply?
You can still apply based on your management experience. You need to submit all the documentation and assessments as required for all prospective students, plus additional requirements as explained under Recognition of Prior Learning elsewhere on this page.
Before you start
- The online application form consists of various sections. In order to progress to the next section, all the information in the current section must be completed and accepted by the information management system.
- You will be able to complete the form in steps without losing information (i.e. you do not have to complete the application form in one sitting).
- The application process is the same for South African and 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 unsure about the status, recognition or accreditation of your qualification, we reserve the right to refer you to SAQA before we consider your application further.
- Applicants can go back to their applications and check the status of their applications.
- All degrees undergo a formal vetting process to eliminate fraudulent applications.
- It is best to use Google Chrome as web browser when completing your application.
- See Apply for your PGDip Project Management in 7 steps
The application process
Click on the APPLY NOW button and complete the online application form by completing each of the required sections. You also need to upload the following supporting documentation:
- Proof of school-leaving mathematics results
- Certified copies of academic records (which must include a transcript of the subjects)
- Detailed CV
- Consent form to verify your qualifications (please download, complete and upload the form in order for Managed Integrity Evaluation (Pty) Ltd to verify your qualification documents)
- Motivational essay (see above)
- Copy of ID (or passport for non-South African students)
- Marriage certificate (where the applicant’s new surname does not match that on the degree certificates)
- Signed declaration form
Payment of your application fee can be done online:
Bank details: Bank: Standard Bank; Type of account: cheque account; Account name: US Business School; Account number: 073003069; Branch name: Stellenbosch; Branch code: 050610; Beneficiary name: Stellenbosch University; SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ.
Enquiries about payments: Please send an e-mail to [email protected].
What happens next?
Your application can only be assessed by the selection panel if it is accompanied by your completed online application form and all the supporting documents, and if you have paid the application fee. The outcome of the selection process will be made known within 30 days or as soon as possible thereafter. If you are uncertain whether your application is complete and is being processed, contact [email protected]
for assistance.
Deadlines for PGDip Project Management applications:
- 30 November for applicants from South Africa
- 15 November for applicants from visa-exempt SADC countries, and the rest of the world
- 31 October for Recognition of Prior Learning applicants.
Also note the following:
- Deadlines for RPL applicants: Note that application deadlines for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are earlier than those for South African students.
- Study permits for international students: Obtaining a study permit (study visa) from the South African authorities can take up to 12 weeks from the date of being offered a place on a programme at the Business School. An early start with the application process is therefore recommended.
- Multiple-entry visas: Students from non-SADC African countries and other countries with visa requirements who need to apply for study visas can obtain a letter from Stellenbosch Business School confirming the duration of registration at the Business School. This will help students to obtain multiple-entry study visas in case of modular studies.
Study visa requirements for international students
All residential students who are non-South African citizens and are studying at Stellenbosch Business School require a study visa. Prospective students should contact their nearest South African Mission (South African Embassy, Consulate or High Commission), normally in their country of origin, to enquire about the requirements for study visas for South Africa. Applicants are required to present themselves in person so that biometric data may be captured. All international students can contact the Business School’s International Affairs Office at [email protected] for assistance. All international students must hold a valid visa for their intended activity prior to entering South Africa.
Notes on obtaining a study visa
- Obtaining a study visa from the South African authorities takes approximately 12 to 16 weeks from the date of application. However, some missions may process applications sooner. Sufficient time should be allowed for study visa applications to be processed.
- Your study visa application should include a copy of the letter offering a place on the Business School’s study programme. This letter will be provided by our Academic Administration once the application has been approved. A place on the programme must be confirmed before a study visa application can be considered by the South African Department of Home Affairs. Students should not proceed to Stellenbosch University or its Business School without a valid study visa.
- Although applicants are expected to determine exactly what they require to apply for a study visa, they can be expected to provide the following, among others: a police clearance certificate, proof of medical insurance recognised in South Africa, a radiology report, proof of sufficient funds, and an admission letter from Stellenbosch Business School. Your nearest South African Mission will be able to advise in this regard. The onus falls on the student to make sure that he/she submits a complete application pack.
- All documents should be certified and translated into English before submission (in order not to delay the outcome of the application).
You can still apply based on your management experience. You need to submit all the documentation and assessments as required for all prospective students, plus additional requirements as explained under Recognition of Prior Learning elsewhere on this page.
You need to write an essay of between 400 and 500 words on the topic outlined below, and submit this as PDF with your application pack:
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?
Contact Us
Please contact us if you need more information on this programme or the application process:
Programme enquiries and support with the applications process
Henry Booysen
Telephone : +27 (0) 21 918 4243
Email: projectmanagement@stellenboschbusiness.ac.za
Admission and registration enquiries
Marissa Groenewald
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 918 4114
Email: [email protected]
What our students and alumni say
What our students and alumni say
What our students and alumni say
Frequently Asked Questions
There are various reasons why skilled project managers are in high demand and why this internationally accredited PGDip Project Management will stand you in good stead:
- Project management is universally accepted as a scarce skill. In fact, Fortune Magazine identified Project Management as the number one career choice.
- Companies are looking for professionals who are skilled in both project management fundamentals and key business disciplines such as strategy, finance, operations management and marketing. These professionals offer a unique value proposition as they are able to bridge the understanding between project management and the business management of projects. That is why Stellenbosch Business School’s Postgraduate Diploma Project Management incorporates advanced management skills and strategic project management skills, allowing you to fill senior-level positions in any organisation.
- You will be able to work in a wider range of industries. Traditionally, project managers worked in the construction, engineering and energy sectors. Now, newer industries such as IT management, health care management, financial services and research also employ qualified project managers.
- You can gain access to an MBA if you pass at a certain level.
- This project management qualification is internationally accredited and offered at a business school.
Yes, subject to normal application processes.
This PGDip has been redesigned to give you flexibility. Among others, you can choose the format (blended learning or modular) and duration (1 year or 2 years), making it easier for you to study while you work. Find more information about Blended Learning’s combination of technology with a strong human touch here.
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. Classes are presented on Tuesday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (short break included), and for some foundation modules on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (short break included). The online classes are presented synchronously with the on-campus classes
Modular classes: The modular classes are presented as four full blocks of classes spread over the year if you are doing the 1-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). The modular classes are presented on campus, which translates into in-class experience and focused studies without work interruptions.
This programme is aligned at NQF level 8 and comprises of 120 credits. This is equivalent to an Honours degree. Passed at a certain level, it can give you access to an MBA. An ideal choice would be Stellenbosch Business School’s MBA stream in Project Portfolio Management.
Related Programmes
Related Articles
