University of Cape Town
Commercial and Contract Law
Learn how to read, interpret, and draft commercial contracts.
Start date
15 September 2025
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Course duration
9 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
10–12 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The amount Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa was fined for contravening the Consumer Protection Act.
South African Government (Nov, 2019).
"Contracts, either written or oral, not only govern the relationship between parties at various stages of the relationship, but they also provide a degree of protection should things not go according to plan.”
SME South Africa (Feb, 2019).
Duration: 9 weeks (excluding orientation)
A solid understanding of commercial and contract law is essential for conducting business in South Africa. Commercial law deals with purchasing and selling goods and services, including intangible assets such as intellectual property rights. Conversely, contract law provides the legal framework for private enterprises, facilitating transactions and the exchange of resources between people and legal entities.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online course that provides a comprehensive overview of the South African legal system, an introduction to contract law, and an in-depth understanding of the Consumer Protection Act. By taking this course, you will gain knowledge of contractual validity requirements and the obligations and terms of a contract. Additionally, you will develop the skills to recognise and address problematic areas in contracts, avoiding costly mistakes and achieving better outcomes for your company, personal life, or clients through negotiation.
Is this course for you?
This online short course provides valuable knowledge that can be applied across various sectors and professions, making it an excellent choice for business professionals working with contracts. Individuals such as bankers, insurance brokers, asset managers, publishers, employment agents, and business owners will benefit from understanding the legal frameworks that govern organisational operations in South Africa.
The course can also help paralegals expand their legal knowledge, business leaders and managers understand contractual decision-making, and other professionals add further value to their existing roles by keeping up to date with the commercial legal landscape.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 9 weeks (excluding orientation)
A solid understanding of commercial and contract law is essential for conducting business in South Africa. Commercial law deals with purchasing and selling goods and services, including intangible assets such as intellectual property rights. Conversely, contract law provides the legal framework for private enterprises, facilitating transactions and the exchange of resources between people and legal entities.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online course that provides a comprehensive overview of the South African legal system, an introduction to contract law, and an in-depth understanding of the Consumer Protection Act. By taking this course, you will gain knowledge of contractual validity requirements and the obligations and terms of a contract. Additionally, you will develop the skills to recognise and address problematic areas in contracts, avoiding costly mistakes and achieving better outcomes for your company, personal life, or clients through negotiation.
Is this course for you?
This online short course provides valuable knowledge that can be applied across various sectors and professions, making it an excellent choice for business professionals working with contracts. Individuals such as bankers, insurance brokers, asset managers, publishers, employment agents, and business owners will benefit from understanding the legal frameworks that govern organisational operations in South Africa.
The course can also help paralegals expand their legal knowledge, business leaders and managers understand contractual decision-making, and other professionals add further value to their existing roles by keeping up to date with the commercial legal landscape.
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
The ability to read, interpret, and draft contracts within the South African business landscape.
The skills needed to oversee all contractual business decisions and confirm their legitimacy.
A comprehensive understanding of the Consumer Protection Act in order to ensure your organisation adheres to its rules and regulations.
A digital certificate of completion as proof of your legal competencies.
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 introduction to contract law and the South African legal system
Module 2
Requirements for the formation of a valid contract
Module 3
Terms of a contract and contractual obligations
Module 4
The Consumer Protection Act
Module 5
Contracts of sale and contracts of lease
Module 6
Contracts of insurance and agency contracts
Module 7
Contracting with businesses
Module 8
Civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution procedures
Module 9
Basic contract drafting skills
Course Convenor
Helena Stoop
Attorney of the High Court; Senior Lecturer, Department of Commercial Law, UCT
About the certificate
Enhance your understanding of commercial and contract law, 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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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
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