University of Cape Town
Digital Marketing online short course
- Curriculum: Build critical skills in web design, SEO, social media, copywriting, and more. Learn how to grow faster.
- Fully Online: Includes interactive videos, module notes, assignments, quizzes, and more.
- Faculty: Learn from industry experts. Get 1:1 support. Receive a dedicated Success Advisor and access to discussion forums.
Start date
01 June 2026
96%
Cohort-based learning
Group learning, expert guidance
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
English
Access resources from start date
4–6 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
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Course overview
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
A strong digital marketing plan is crucial to stay competitive and visible in the modern market. The UCT Digital Marketing online short course explores how digital marketing shapes organisations’ ability to connect and resonate with their audiences in the digital realm, ultimately driving business objectives. Framed within the distinctive social context of South Africa, this course navigates the essential components of an efficient digital marketing strategy, recognising the necessity for a nuanced approach. Over six weeks, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical tools to implement industry best practices across various digital marketing facets. Among other topics, you’ll explore website development, content creation, and social media promotions.
You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of web analytics and search engine optimization (SEO), the core elements of a successful content marketing strategy, and the evolution of online advertising. Additionally, you’ll dive into the strategic role of influencer marketing within the broader digital marketing strategy. Through exposure to research, case studies, and insights from Dr Nqobile Bundwini, the Course Convener, you’ll be able to craft and launch a digital marketing strategy that meets business objectives.
Is the UCT Digital Marketing online short course for you?
If you’re interested in digital marketing, UCT offers a learning opportunity best suited to marketing professionals – whether they’re already working in the field or looking to break into it – and business owners seeking to improve their brand's online visibility and harness the potential of their online audiences. The UCT Digital Marketing online short course offers a solid introduction to digital marketing, making it a valuable learning opportunity for newcomers to the field. The online learning experience is tailored to the individual needs of each student, with a dedicated student support team available 24/7 to provide assistance as needed. No prior qualifications are necessary to enrol in this course.
If you’re looking to develop a holistic marketing skill set, we recommend you investigate the UCT Marketing Analytics: Strategy and Decision-Making online short course. This course takes a strategic, end-to-end approach to marketing analytics and equips you to use data to inform important marketing decisions. If you want to learn more about the course, request a call to speak to an enrolment specialist.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
A strong digital marketing plan is crucial to stay competitive and visible in the modern market. The UCT Digital Marketing online short course explores how digital marketing shapes organisations’ ability to connect and resonate with their audiences in the digital realm, ultimately driving business objectives. Framed within the distinctive social context of South Africa, this course navigates the essential components of an efficient digital marketing strategy, recognising the necessity for a nuanced approach. Over six weeks, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical tools to implement industry best practices across various digital marketing facets. Among other topics, you’ll explore website development, content creation, and social media promotions.
You’ll also gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of web analytics and search engine optimization (SEO), the core elements of a successful content marketing strategy, and the evolution of online advertising. Additionally, you’ll dive into the strategic role of influencer marketing within the broader digital marketing strategy. Through exposure to research, case studies, and insights from Dr Nqobile Bundwini, the Course Convener, you’ll be able to craft and launch a digital marketing strategy that meets business objectives.
Is the UCT Digital Marketing online short course for you?
If you’re interested in digital marketing, UCT offers a learning opportunity best suited to marketing professionals – whether they’re already working in the field or looking to break into it – and business owners seeking to improve their brand's online visibility and harness the potential of their online audiences. The UCT Digital Marketing online short course offers a solid introduction to digital marketing, making it a valuable learning opportunity for newcomers to the field. The online learning experience is tailored to the individual needs of each student, with a dedicated student support team available 24/7 to provide assistance as needed. No prior qualifications are necessary to enrol in this course.
If you’re looking to develop a holistic marketing skill set, we recommend you investigate the UCT Marketing Analytics: Strategy and Decision-Making online short course. This course takes a strategic, end-to-end approach to marketing analytics and equips you to use data to inform important marketing decisions. If you want to learn more about the course, request a call to speak to an enrolment specialist.
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.
What will set you apart
An understanding of the various elements and channels that make up a holistic digital marketing strategy.
Practical skills in web design, analytics, SEO, online copywriting, social media marketing, and email marketing.
Knowledge that is transferable to a broad range of contexts and industries, across different career levels.
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
An overview of digital marketing
Module 2
Website design and analytics
Module 3
Search engine optimisation
Module 4
Online copywriting
Module 5
Online advertising and email marketing
Module 6
Social media marketing
What past students
think
Anrich Schrade
Student
The course content was very informative and well put together. The online learning experience was very intuitive, and the online platform was easy to use. I now feel confident in applying the skills I have learned in my own projects. The group discussion forum was very informative, and everyone in the group posted useful content. The online support was excellent and quick to respond.
Course Convenor
Dr Nqobile Bundwini
Senior Lecturer in Marketing, School of Management Studies, UCT
About the certificate
Learn to develop a digital marketing plan that will help you reach your organization’s goals 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 specialist, 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 enrollment specialist 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 enrollment specialists 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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