University of Cape Town
Strategic Business Management
Achieve business excellence through a dynamic and competitive strategy that drives success.
Start date
27 January 2025
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
South Africa's dynamic economic landscape is marked by a state of flux and intense rivalry, making it essential for managers to possess theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in business management. To stay ahead of the competition, companies must be flexible, adaptable, and robust, relying on accurate planning, execution, and foresight-driven strategies.
The Strategic Business Management online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides a vital foundation for mastering these crucial business skills. This course will empower you to thrive in today's fiercely competitive business environment, harnessing innovative and analytical thinking to conduct various market analyses, including SWOT analysis, STEEPLE analysis, Porter's five-force model, and the SELECT framework. By applying strategic management principles to a hypothetical business environment, you'll develop a business strategy that aligns with your organisation's long-term objectives, ready for immediate implementation.
Is this course for you?
The online short course is specifically tailored for individuals seeking to establish a career in business management. Aspiring managers will gain valuable theoretical and practical skills to propel them toward a higher tier of management. Additionally, existing managers can leverage the course to upgrade their skill sets and stay ahead in the dynamic business environment of South Africa. The course is also beneficial to stakeholders of an organisation who require strategic expertise to guide their business in the right direction.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
South Africa's dynamic economic landscape is marked by a state of flux and intense rivalry, making it essential for managers to possess theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in business management. To stay ahead of the competition, companies must be flexible, adaptable, and robust, relying on accurate planning, execution, and foresight-driven strategies.
The Strategic Business Management online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides a vital foundation for mastering these crucial business skills. This course will empower you to thrive in today's fiercely competitive business environment, harnessing innovative and analytical thinking to conduct various market analyses, including SWOT analysis, STEEPLE analysis, Porter's five-force model, and the SELECT framework. By applying strategic management principles to a hypothetical business environment, you'll develop a business strategy that aligns with your organisation's long-term objectives, ready for immediate implementation.
Is this course for you?
The online short course is specifically tailored for individuals seeking to establish a career in business management. Aspiring managers will gain valuable theoretical and practical skills to propel them toward a higher tier of management. Additionally, existing managers can leverage the course to upgrade their skill sets and stay ahead in the dynamic business environment of South Africa. The course is also beneficial to stakeholders of an organisation who require strategic expertise to guide their business in the right direction.
What will set you apart
The tools to develop both a business strategy plan and an implementation plan.
The skills to conduct various analyses and understand the external macro-environmental factors.
The ability to define the micro-economic factors that will affect your business management success.
Knowledge of your competitive business advantages that you can continue to develop and maximise.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Introduction to strategic management
Module 2
Theory and evolution of strategic business management
Module 3
Organisational goals and values
Module 4
Environmental analysis
Module 5
Internal and SWOT analyses
Module 6
Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA)
Module 7
The formulation of forward-thinking strategy
Module 8
Strategy implementation
Module 9
Evaluation and control
Module 10
Strategic alignment and ensuring sustainability
What past students
think
Tracy van Turha
Past Student
I have already been able to apply the concepts and skills I learned from the very first week. I understand my work much better now. Because of this, I can truly say that the course is making a difference to me.
Course Convenor
Dr David Priilaid
Associate Professor, School of Management Studies, UCT
About the certificate
Acquire essential industry skills for effective strategic business management and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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