University of Cape Town
Professional Communication and Office Management
Acquire the skills to efficiently manage correspondence and supervise administrative tasks in an office environment.
Start date
30 January 2025
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Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Strong communication skills are one of 10 vital competencies needed for success in the future workplace.
Forbes (Apr, 2019).
“In teamwork, silence isn’t golden, it’s deadly.” – Mark Sanborn, President of Sanborn & Associates, Inc.
Entrepreneur (Jun, 2019).
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Office management and administration professionals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of an organisation. As key contributors to an organisation's success, they require a unique set of skills.
The Professional Communication and Office Management online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this vital administrative and operational role. You'll gain expertise in document management, meeting coordination, diary management, and petty cash handling. Additionally, you'll learn the art of modern professional communication.
Enhance your skills in drafting professional correspondence, planning business travel, supervising daily office operations, and taking on new responsibilities to optimise organisational performance.
Is this course for you?
This online course is well-suited to professionals seeking to broaden their employment opportunities and progress into office management or corporate communication-related positions. Office administrators and assistants can also enrol in this course to refresh their skill sets, formalise their knowledge, and receive recognition of their expertise with a digital certificate from UCT, Africa's leading university.1
1 QS Top Universities (2024).Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
Office management and administration professionals play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of an organisation. As key contributors to an organisation's success, they require a unique set of skills.
The Professional Communication and Office Management online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this vital administrative and operational role. You'll gain expertise in document management, meeting coordination, diary management, and petty cash handling. Additionally, you'll learn the art of modern professional communication.
Enhance your skills in drafting professional correspondence, planning business travel, supervising daily office operations, and taking on new responsibilities to optimise organisational performance.
Is this course for you?
This online course is well-suited to professionals seeking to broaden their employment opportunities and progress into office management or corporate communication-related positions. Office administrators and assistants can also enrol in this course to refresh their skill sets, formalise their knowledge, and receive recognition of their expertise with a digital certificate from UCT, Africa's leading university.1
1 QS Top Universities (2024).What will set you apart
The ability to perform a wide variety of secretarial, administrative, and correspondence-related tasks to support efficiency and productivity in a business.
The expertise to work effectively with a team, handle workplace conflict, and address customer complaints.
The skills to communicate successfully in multicultural contexts by making sensitive language choices.
An understanding of how to use new technology to improve business documentation and record keeping.
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
Business documentation
Module 2
Communication in a multicultural society
Module 3
Word processing and new media communication
Module 4
Internet, email and telephone communication
Module 5
Office administration
Module 6
Information management
Module 7
Meeting management and presentation skills and tools
Module 8
Organisation and personal effectiveness
Module 9
Event organisation
Module 10
Basics of project administration
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What past students
think
Donna Liedemann
Past student
The UCT Professional Communication and Office Management course highlighted the elements I needed to fully equip myself to do my job to the best of my ability. I saw it as an opportunity to sharpen my skills and also enhance productivity in the workplace.
Course Convenors
Gao Nodoba
Lecturer in Corporate Communication, Intercultural Communication, Diversity and Reputation Management, UCT
About the certificate
Cultivate your professional communication and office management skills 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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Want to know more?
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
