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Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
Ambitious graduates looking to accelerate their management careers can now apply to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) fully online. This allows you to balance work and study but still allows you to benefit from the same level of content and support as the contact programme.
The PDBA is aimed at giving you, the student, a broad understanding of the world of business, providing you with information that you can leverage for rapid career and personal growth. Whether you are in a specialist field or are interested in pursuing a change in career, the PDBA will enable you to enhance your business management and leadership skills.
If you enrol on a part-time online study basis, the PDBA is a 22-month programme. If you wish to enrol for a full-time online study, completing two modules at a time, this programme can be completed sooner.
Admission Requirements
- A three-year degree OR a Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7).
AND - A minimum of two years’ mid-professional work experience (internships and student experience are not considered).
Students who have completed the Fundamentals of Business Administration (FBA) suite of courses are eligible to apply for entrance into the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA) programme and may receive credits, if all other criteria are met. Interested students will have to complete a new application for the PDBA as a completed FBA suite of courses does NOT guarantee entrance into the PDBA programme.
Module & credits
* Module pricing is subject to change in January of each year.
Module Fees: R22,285
Credits : 15
Candidates will learn the principles of strategy in which they gain an understanding of thinking approaches and actions that allow for the creation and execution of strategic change in an organisation. It will assist the candidate to identify the variables that lead to organisations gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Candidates will explore the vital importance of integration among the activities of an organisation, to ensure both sustainability and long-term success. They will also utilise the basics tools of strategic analysis of the external and internal environment of an organisation. It also applies analytical thinking and decision frameworks to generate sustainable performance in competitive local and global environments.
Module Fees: R8,600
Credits : 10
This module introduces candidates to major technology trends facing organisations, notably fourth industrial revolution trends. It is designed to establish the effects of such trends on operational and strategic decision processes in organisations. Topics include:
1. Introduction to digital business
2. Major technological trends in organisations
3. Effects of technological trends on organisational operations and workplaces
4. Effects of technological trends on organisational strategy
5. Digital transformation and change
Module Fees: R4,325
Credits : 5
Candidates will study the foundational concepts of finance. It is largely a survey course in the finance field. It covers major topics in finance and connects these topics to other areas such as accounting. Topics include sources of capital, how capital markets function, time value of money techniques (i.e. discounted cash flow techniques), the role of finance in value creation in the firm, cost of capital techniques, methods of company valuation and capital investment decisions.
Module Fees: R22,300
Credits : 15
This module provides candidates with the foundation for understanding the role of accounting functions external (Financial Accounting) and internal (Management Accounting) to organisations. It is designed to show candidates how the two areas dovetail and are used effectively to achieve the objective of the firm which is to maximise shareholders wealth and communicate with stakeholders. It also equips candidates to handle an institution’s financial reports and data.
Topics include:
1. Financial Statements – Understanding Statements of Comprehensive Income, Financial
Position and Cash Flows
2. Analysis of Financial Statements
3. Cost Classifications and Allocations
4. Cost Behaviour, Variable Costing and Break-Even Analysis
5. Budgeting
Module Fees: R8,600
Credits : 10
Here we focus on creating and disseminating theoretical and practical knowledge and skills which translate into the steps in the development of a marketing plan, an understanding of the environment in which the marketing function operates and the role of marketing management. In addition, business models are taught in order to provide an in-depth understanding of the strategic portion of the marketing plan, including a customer-driven marketing strategy (STP) and the ability to construct an integrated marketing programme that delivers superior value. The main outcome of this course is to manage profitable customer relationships using Relationship Marketing and CRM thinking in an emerging market/African context.
Module Fees: R5,180
Credits : 6
This module develops skills that are pivotal to further business studies and business practice, namely business communication and quantitative analysis skills. Skills development areas of expertise include critical communication skills; quantitative skills; integrating statistics into business analysis skills.
Module Fees: R7,755
Credits : 9
This module is designed to develop the skills needed to make an effective contribution and to have an immediate impact on the accomplishment of a project. It equips candidates to either manage a project or work in a project team. It focusses on project management techniques and the business need for a project. It also explores multiple conflicting stakeholder demands and knowing how to deal with rapid change; myriad communication issues; working with global and virtual project teams, and many other issues that are more challenging than in projects of previous times. Topics include project scope; work breakdown structures and network diagrams; resource scheduling under constrained conditions; project risk and stakeholders; project communication and project closure.
Module Fees: R8,600
Credits : 10
We introduce candidates to the general legal principles regulating business transactions in South Africa. The first part places the regulatory framework for business transactions in context and highlights the importance of a knowledge of the legal system to business transactions. The regulatory instruments of significance to investments and business transactions are discussed. The second part considers important legal concepts and principles, including legal personality, the sources of South African law, and the hierarchy of the court system, with an emphasis on the impact of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 on law. The third part focusses on the legal requirements for binding contracts, including the enforcement of contracts and the remedies that are available in case of a breach of contractual provisions. Specific types of contracts under the law of sale, the law of lease, and the law of agency are discussed and the legal principles affecting the formation, governance, maintenance and dissolution of common types of business entities in South Africa, with particular emphasis on companies, are introduced. Topics in this course include an introduction to the SA legal system; principles of contract; overview of recent developments in consumer protection law; and company law.
Module Fees: R8,605
Credits : 10
This module provides a rigorous introduction to the theoretical and practical issues associated with entrepreneurship. A research evidence-based critical learning approach is used to dispel myths surrounding entrepreneurship to ensure sustainable enterprises. The course relies on case material to critically evaluate best practices underpinning entrepreneurship theories. The course provides a critical appreciation of entrepreneurship in the SA and African contexts and is focused on conducting a business model thought canvas for a start-up.
Module Fees: R12,905
Credits : 15
We examine people management within the South African context and takes into account the complexity of a changing business environment in an emerging market economy. Emphasis is placed on critical engagement of the socio-psychological elements of human performance in organisations. Candidates are also made aware of the ethical and responsible elements of good people management. Topics include Introduction to people management and global talent management; recruitment and selection; employee on-boarding, training and development, talent management and succession management; performance management and reward and remuneration; employee relations and health and safety; the Human Resource practitioner as a business partner and Project Management leadership; employee relations; and labour law.
Module Fees: R12,905
Credits : 15
We study the mechanics and theory of international business and trade. The focus of the course is on international business, however, macro-economic factors that affect trade are discussed. Topics include an introduction to international business, international trade, international business environments, doing business in emerging markets, culture and international business, types of international business forms, international business strategies, business functions and international business, and macro-economics.
FEES FOR 2023
UJ Online programmes are designed to be affordable, saving time and money compared to other formats. Tuition fees are calculated per seven-week module. You can enrol in and pay for each consecutive session as your studies progress. Payment is accepted through the online student portal and must meet the payment deadline.
* Fees quoted are 2023. Fees are subject to an annual increase.
Number of modules: 11
Programme credits: 120
Fees per programme credit: 111477