University of Cape Town

Compliance Management

Study compliance risk analysis and management to improve operations and create an ethical culture within your organisation.

Start date

02 June 2025

Price

$1,195 USD

Installment Plan

Course duration

8 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

10–12 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

73%

The percentage of organisation leaders who agreed that cyber and privacy regulations were effective in reducing their cyber risks in 2023.

World Economic Forum (2023).

ZAR10 million

The potential penalty for companies that are found non-compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA) in South Africa.

Tripwire (2023).

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

As technology continues to advance, businesses face increasing levels of regulatory risk. To address this, organisations must comply with stringent standards and regulations that govern their operations. The compliance function has never been more critical, as it proactively manages everything from internal policies to employee behaviour.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Compliance Management online short course equips you with the skills to create an ethical compliance culture within your organisation. This eight-module program provides an in-depth understanding of compliance risk analysis and management that can be applied to your specific context. By adhering to regulations, implementing policies, and developing a strategic approach to managing compliance risk, you can ensure the long-term sustainability of your business.

You will receive a one-year student membership to the Compliance Institute Southern Africa (CISA) after completing this course. Completing both UCT compliance online short courses offered by GetSmarter within one year will grant you a two-year CISA membership.

Is the UCT Compliance Management online short course for you?

If you are interested in becoming an expert in compliance management, UCT offers a complete study of risk assessment and management. This course is tailored to professionals who are involved in corporate governance, compliance management, or related fields and looking to apply compliance principles to their organisations. It is also beneficial for individuals who want to enhance their current knowledge and skills to take on a more strategic role in their compliance team.

This program provides an opportunity for existing compliance professionals to refine, validate, and develop their skill set. Additionally, it is ideal for business leaders seeking to augment their legal, risk management, and compliance knowledge with advanced skills. This will enable them to better assist their compliance team and improve overall company performance. By completing this course, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex world of compliance and enhance your effectiveness as a professional in this field.

GetSmarter is endorsed by the Compliance Institute Southern Africa (CISA). CISA sets, maintains, and promotes best-practice standards for the compliance profession and has developed a Generally Accepted Compliance Practice (GACP) framework to govern business standards. By completing this course, students will gain compliance-management skills aligned with CISA GACP benchmark standards, which are nationally recognised. CISA also administers professional accreditation for compliance professionals. By completing the Compliance Management course, you’ll be eligible for 15 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours.

Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for membership registration and other benefits with CISA. The onus, therefore, falls on you to do so.

Course overview

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for membership registration and other benefits with CISA. The onus, therefore, falls on you to do so.

Get this course for your team

Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.

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What will set you apart

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

Enhanced compliance management knowledge developed through academic theory, practical case studies, and self-reflection.

The ability to design a compliance risk management plan consisting of controls that consider the regulatory risk universe and rating scales.

The tools to structure a compliant organisation in a dynamic risk universe and ensure that a culture of compliance thrives.

The confidence to communicate effectively as a compliance practitioner using your personal strengths and influence.

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

Investigate the impact of emerging disruptive technologies on compliance risk management while progressing through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Effective corporate governance

Module 2

Structuring a compliant organisation

Module 3

Creating the right culture for compliance

Module 4

Compliance risk as an element of the risk universe

Module 5

Compliance risk management planning

Module 6

Control design

Module 7

Monitoring and reporting

Module 8

The future of compliance

What past students
think

Fiona Fiebig

Manager, D Logan Lesotho

I would highly recommend this course. It gives an in-depth look into the world of compliance and the key factors that make an excellent compliance officer. The online platform is very user-friendly and easy to navigate, and there is good online support, should you incur any problems. The course content is very well thought out and provides invaluable knowledge to the students. It opened my eyes to numerous aspects of the compliance universe that I was not aware of.

Course Convenors

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.

Tebello Thabane

Senior Lecturer, Commercial Law Department, Faculty of Law, UCT

About the certificate

Strengthen your compliance expertise 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 Compliance Management 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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