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 allow you to confidently manage projects in a competitive business environment.
Project management is universally accepted as a scarce skill. Proficient project managers are in high demand. 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 provide access to an MBA.
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
Modular
- 27 February – 3 March (Orientation on the Monday)
- 22 – 26 May
- 14 – 18 August
- 30 October – 3 November
Documents needed for application
- Application and SHL assessment fee
- Certified copies of your academic records
- Certified copies of your degree certificates
- Copy of you ID/Passport
- Copy of your CV
- Verification consent form
- Motivational essays
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.
How to apply
Click here to see the 8 steps of the application process.
Course Structure and Content
This internationally accredited Postgraduate Diploma 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 that will help you to understand and manage the complex challenges faced by top-level project managers. A natural progression after completing the PGDip PM will be to consider our MBA with the Project Management focal area. This qualification capacitates managers to deal with project strategy on portfolio and sponsorship level.
This postgraduate programme requires high-level engagement with theoretical frameworks and international literature, and reflection on national and international project management practices. Among others, students will be asked to formulate recommendations that indicate critical 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.
Students will also benefit from the Business School’s collaboration with leading project management bodies locally and globally. The Business School has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Project Management Institute South Africa Chapter. The Project Management Institute is the world’s leading not-for-profit professional membership organisation for the project management profession. The Business School is also associated with Project Management South Africa (PMSA), which recognises this qualification towards the designation of either Professional Project Manager or Senior Project Manager.
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 4 of the following 5 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
You also need to do the 4 specialisation phase modules:
- Term 1: Project Communication Management
- Term 2: Project Procurement Contracting
- Term 3: Project Scheduling
- Term 4: Project Integration Management
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). Classes are presented on Tuesday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (with a short break from 18:00 to 18:15), and for some foundation modules on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons from 16:00 till 20:15 (with a short 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
MC
Botha
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Project management is universally accepted as a scarce skill. Proficient project managers are in high demand. It is therefore completely understandable that Fortune Magazine identified project management as the number one career choice.
Programme Fees
Application fee and SHL tests for 2023
Tuition fees for 2023
Important:
- Payment of full programme fees for South African students: 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-yer PGDip pay 50% of the annual fee as deposit. The remainder is due 2 weeks before commencement of the programme.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- SHL selection test fees: See Admission requirements for details about this selection test.
- 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.
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply
- Academic qualifications: At least a relevant BTech, Bachelor’s or Honours degree
- Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in a project management position in an organisation
- 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.
- Highly recommended: Mathematical skills equal to NQF Level 4
- Recognition of prior learning: Find more details lower down in this section.
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.
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 Project Management 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 us 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. Stellenbosch 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 the Business School during the past 18 months, you do not have to rewrite the test.
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), the 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 need to adhere to the following:
- Have at least an NQF 4 qualification. (School leaving certificate, Matric)
- 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 Stellenbosch Business School with at least two references (typically current or former line heads) who can testify about the candidate’s managerial or related professional The references will be asked to give a detailed personal reference of the candidate on forms that can be downloaded from the application form.
- Submit the SHL selection test results (if these were not sent directly to the Business School)
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.
- The 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
Henry Booysen
Telephone : +27 (0) 21 918 4243
Email: [email protected]
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
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 Magazineidentified 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.
For this PGDip, the blended learning classes are presented as late-afternoon classes (from 16:00 till 20:15) 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 flexibility of digital class attendance means minimum time away from work. This also lowers the opportunity cost to obtain this PGDip as you can attend all classes online.
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.
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