Executive Education (Short Learning Programmes)
Applications and registrations for Unisa's Short Learning Programmes for the 2026 academic year are open.
The business climate can change in the blink of an eye and leaders who respond swiftly and with agility have the most to gain. Keeping your knowledge and skills up to speed when time is of the essence is the purpose of the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership’s executive education and professional development programmes.
Supported by evidence-led research, these short learning programmes are designed for specific contexts and relate to real-world challenges. Developed to cater for the various stages of your career, the programmes are relevant and responsive to your professional and career development.
Semester 2: Applications for the listed programmes below are open until 31 July 2026. Secure your spot in one of our dynamic offerings below.
| Programme | NQF Alignment | Duration | Delivery Mode | *Price | Study School Dates |
|
Management Development Programme (MDP) |
NQF level 7 aligned | 6 months | Hybrid | R40 000 | 11 – 14 August 2026 |
|
Broad-Based Black Empowerment Programme MDP (B-BBEE MDP) Normal Track |
NQF level 7 aligned | 6 months | Hybrid | R34 700 | 17 – 21 August 2026 |
|
Broad-Based Black Empowerment Programme MDP (B-BBEE MDP) Fast Track |
NQF level 7 aligned | 3 months | Hybrid | R24 550 | 17 – 21 August 2026 |
|
Practical Project Management (PPM) |
NQF level 6 aligned | 12 months | Hybrid | R30 000 | 20 – 24 April 2026 |
|
Advanced Project Management Programme (APM) |
NQF level 7 aligned | 12 months | Hybrid | R50 000 | 13 – 17 July 2026 |
*Note: A R600 administration levy is applicable for all the above programmes.
Click here to apply for any one of our executive education programmes.
For more information about your programme of choice, contact our Business Development Specialist:
Dumisani Kewuti: kewutk@unisa.ac.za - 011 652 0263
Please contact our Programme Administrators for Applications & Registration:
Dineo Makgareetsa: makgadh@unisa.ac.za - 011 652 0239
MDP B-BBEE (fast track)
About the Programme
The B-BBEE MDP is an initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to provide a standardised national curriculum for the B-BBEE verification industry. Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership is one of only two institutions selected to partner with the DTIC to deliver this programme. The target group is existing or prospective B-BBEE verifiers, B-BBEE consultants, private and public practitioners. This programme equips candidates with the tools and knowledge to work within the provisions of the B-BBEE Act 53 of 2003 and its various legislative updates, as well as other relevant policies. Qualified candidates would be suited to various positions in the B-BBEE space or to practise as Verification Professionals.
| Duration | Pricing |
| 3 months | R24 550 |
MDP B-BBEE (Normal Track)
About the Programme
The B-BBEE MDP is an initiative of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to provide a standardised national curriculum for the B-BBEE verification industry. Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership is one of only two institutions selected to partner with the DTIC to deliver this programme. The target group is existing or prospective B-BBEE verifiers, B-BBEE consultants, private and public practitioners. This programme equips candidates with the tools and knowledge to work within the provisions of the B-BBEE Act 53 of 2003 and its various legislative updates, as well as other relevant policies. Qualified candidates would be suited to various positions in the B-BBEE space or to practise as Verification Professionals.
| Duration of the programme | Pricing |
| 6 months | R34 700 |
Fundamental Management Programme (FMP)
About the Programme
This programme aims to equip entry-level managers with the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to handle fundamental management tasks and be team leaders in rapidly changing organisations. First-level managers such as supervisors and superintendents, as well as small business managers, enrol in the FMP to gain the management background necessary for self-development and promotion. Some students also use the FMP as a bridging course before embarking on more advanced management development programmes. The FMP has streams for participants from both the business and public sectors.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
4 months |
R30 000 |
Leading for Innovation (LFI)
Leading for Innovation (LFI)
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Few words in business and other organisations are used as often and as incorrectly as ‘innovation’. Yet, despite this lack of understanding on what innovation is and how to develop innovative organisations, it remains one of the most important functions of any organisation. In this course we focus on how to lead for innovation, exploring the processes and practices that leaders can use to boost innovation in their organisations.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
3 Months |
R20 000 |
Business Incubation Management and Enterprise Development Leadership
Business Incubation Management and Enterprise Development Leadership (BIM-EDL)
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Enterprise development and business incubation professionals are sought after given the continent-wide drive to boost innovation and enhance the success rates of small, medium and micro enterprises as the drivers of growth. This dynamic course focuses on providing the insight, knowledge and skills to understand, lead and manage enterprise development and business incubation in South Africa and the developing world. It will equip current and aspiring enterprise development leaders and managers to effectively create sustainable development programmes, advance the development value chain and enhance the leadership pipeline.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
3 Months |
R20 000 |
Management Development Programme (MDP)
About the Programme
This programme is aimed at middle managers with the intention to become effective team players pursuing the goals of excellence within their own organizations. It is designed to facilitate an understanding of and the ability to integrate and apply the key competencies required for each of the functional areas of business.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
4 months |
R40 000 |
Advanced Project Management (APM)
About the Programme
Cost and time overruns are common in projects across industries but can, with the appropriate knowledge and skills, be eliminated. The APM equips managers with the principles and know-how to complete projects on time, within budget and according to expectations and specifications. The six modules offer a practical, step-by-step approach to managing a project over its entire lifecycle – from inception to close-out. The APM is designed for current and prospective middle managers, as well as investors and developers, in all industries.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
12 Months |
R50 000 |
Practical Project Management (PPM)
About the Programme
This programme is highly sought-after in the marketplace as it equips entry-level managers with the skills to transform ideas into successful projects or ventures. Since its introduction in 1993, the programme has increasingly been updated to meet market needs. Its aim is to provide practical experience and knowledge in project management and it is designed to ensure that theoretical knowledge complements practice.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
12 Months |
R30 000 |
Programme in Advanced Strategic Management (PASM)
Programme in Advanced Strategic Management (PASM)
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
There are few training courses on advanced strategic management, especially those with a focus on corporate-level strategy in the multi-business corporation. The PASM was developed to assist senior and middle managers to understand and integrate advanced strategic management requirements for organisational value, sustainability and success. The programme aims to equip students with advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes in strategic management, including strategic intelligence and analysis, strategic decision-making, managing change and strategic risk management.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
4 Months |
R25 000 |
Short Course for Emerging Managers (SCEM)
Short Course for Emerging Managers (SCEM)
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Anyone who wants to pursue a career in management, needs to learn basic management skills before they develop themselves further. This programme provides the foundational skills that all other management development can be based on. The programme is intended for students who wish to develop basic management capacity. The programme will allow students to acquire the necessary competencies to apply appropriate problem-solving and decision-making skills in a frontline management capacity.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
3 months |
R20 000 |
Advanced Short Course in Global Business Intra-Africa & BRICS Trade & Investment
Advanced Short Course in Global Business: Inter-Africa & BRICS Trade & Investment - R20 840
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Despite the apparent opportunities for global business, South African business people are generally ignorant of or wary about the opportunities for investing in BRICS countries or in Africa.
Participants will get an overall view of the increasingly complex challenges of global business. They will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to assess investment opportunities in specific BRICS and African countries or regions.
Advanced Short Course in Big Data Analytics
Advanced Short Course in Big Data Analytics
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
According to a study conducted by the World Economic Forum in 2020 each day there are 500 million tweets; 294 billion emails sent; 4 Peta bytes created on Facebook; 65 billion messages sent on WhatsApp. We are in the era of big data.
In a world where every business is a technology business, practitioners and business leaders are required to bring into organisations fresh ideas and perspectives, and early warnings of coming change. Big data has disrupted decision making and enterprises management, prompting practitioners and business leaders to make decisions more rapidly and to shape their capabilities to address environmental changes.
This course will enable practitioners and business leaders to process and analyse large data sets by using machine learning software.
|
Duration of the programme |
Pricing |
|
3 Months |
R20 000 |