Beyond undergraduate studies

Learning doesn’t stop at graduation. Students from diverse academic backgrounds, including arts, engineering, health sciences, and law, can pursue the Postgraduate Diploma in Management specialising in Marketing. This programme opens new career paths, enhancing both specialist knowledge and leadership potential. Marketing is not just a job; it’s a gateway to a dynamic and influential career where you can make a real impact on business and society. Are you ready to shape the future?

Why this postgraduate diploma?

Almost every company has a marketing department, so this postgraduate diploma teaches skills that are in high demand and applicable across diverse industries. We teach creative problem-solving and strategic awareness, equipping students with the tools they need to compete in the marketing sector. The courses focus on application, instilling practical skills and understanding of the marketing world.

Disruptive technology and data intelligence have changed the world of marketing. Today, marketing qualifications prepare you for the creative, fast-paced business of promoting, developing and serving unique customer markets. Real-world business challenges and developments, academic research and social impact drive the dynamic world of the marketing discipline. Marketing today is about delivering customer value and managing profitable long-term relationships. Continuous business challenges require marketers to provide superior customer value and leverage innovative capabilities using effective marketing strategies to build and sustain a competitive edge.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Marketing provides specialised studies in the marketing of goods, services, and ideas across the industrial, commercial, and public sectors of the South African and global economy. The programme is extremely popular, so early application and a solid academic record are an advantage.

“Of all my years at UCT, this year was by far the best. It really was the best experience I ever had, from the department being supportive, to lecturers being on the ball and always ready to help. The postgraduate diploma allowed us to change paths without having to deal with going back to ground zero and starting a new undergrad despite the previous knowledge learned. This gave it an almost MBA-style, which I think was highly valued by many.” 
– Former Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Marketing Student

“I’ve been working in marketing for about three years now. Taking this postgrad diploma, which strengthens the management side of my experience, is invaluable - not just for the business environment but for oneself. It has given me the confidence to tackle different upper management problems, supported by practical experience.” 
– Former Postgraduate Diploma in Management in Marketing Student

Where do our graduates go?

Our graduates have found employment in a wide variety of marketing-related roles, including product manager, brand manager, social media marketing manager, market researcher, marketing representative, sales representative, business analyst, customer relationship manager, advertising and public relations manager. 

Find out more about why you should apply, the entrance criteria and duration.

Prescribe curriculum structure

The diploma comprises eight courses totalling 144 NQF credits.

All students complete:

• A core management course BUS4000W – Introduction to Applied Marketing, Finance, and Communication for Business (18 NQF credits). This course provides a solid managerial base, common to all the Postgraduate Diplomas in Management.
• Plus, five Marketing courses and two electives

The figure below gives a taste of your year with us:

Who can apply and how

Any individual with an undergraduate degree is eligible to apply. Whether the degree is in linguistics, engineering or biochemistry, anyone with a valid undergraduate degree can put themselves forward to try and get a spot in this diploma. Applicants must complete the online application form, paying special attention to including work experience and/or any extracurricular involvement if applicable, as well as a full academic transcript for those who did not receive their undergraduate degree from UCT.

Apply online. Applications close on 30 November.

For more information, please refer to the Commerce Postgraduate Handbook.