University of Cape Town

Social Media Marketing

Discover how to use social platforms to drive brand awareness and expand a company’s customer base.

Start date

23 January 2025

Price

$1,046 USD

Installment Plan

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Course duration

8 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

7–10 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

23 million

The total number of active social media users in South Africa.

We are Social and Hootsuite (Jan, 2019).

57%

The percentage of marketers who say social media marketing has been “very effective” or “somewhat effective” for their business.

Buffer (2019).

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

Social media has revolutionised the way businesses communicate with their customers. Platforms that were once mainly used for personal networking have become essential marketing tools. Today, most companies must have a well-thought-out strategy to effectively reach customers via social media.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Social Media Marketing online short course is designed to teach students how to develop these marketing strategies. It introduces the local social media landscape and delves into key principles and practical tools to improve a company’s social presence.

Additionally, the course explores how to manage a social media community and use the appropriate channels to generate leads and drive sales. Upon completion of the course, students will have a comprehensive social media marketing strategy that aligns with their company’s business objectives.

Is this course for you?

Any professional interested in enhancing their social media marketing skills will benefit from this online short course. Marketing managers, community managers, digital marketing strategists, and content marketers will all find the curriculum and course content invaluable. Additionally, business owners and brand leaders seeking to promote their companies more effectively online can gain skills and confidence by participating in this course.

Course overview

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

The knowledge to create social media content that aims to drive engagement and increase brand exposure.

The ability to draw up and allocate a social media advertising budget.

The tools to effectively measure and optimise the performance of social media campaigns.

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

Discover effective social media marketing strategies as you progress through the weekly modules.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Navigating the social media landscape

Module 2

Applying a social media content strategy

Module 3

Creating content that drives engagement

Module 4

Managing a social media community

Module 5

Advertising on social media

Module 6

Measuring and optimising a social media marketing strategy

Module 7

Social media marketing management

Module 8

Consolidating a social media marketing strategy

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Course Convenor

The design of this online short course is guided by UCT faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Dr James Lappeman

Head of Projects, UCT Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing

About the certificate

Learn how to create a social media strategy 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.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

UCT Social Media Marketing online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

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Answer a few questions and get more information about the course.

FAQ

Want to know more?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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