University of Cape Town
Compliance Management
- Curriculum: Learn to create and operate a successful compliance program, covering policies, adoption, and more.
- 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
98%
Cohort-based learning
Group learning, expert guidance
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
English
Access resources from start date
10–12 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The percentage of leaders from private organisations that feel that cyber and privacy regulations effectively reduce risk in their organisation’s ecosystems.
World Economic Forum (2025).
The potential penalty for companies that are found non-compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA) in South Africa.
Bowmans (2026).
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
Introduction
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.
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
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
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
Carissa Govender
Final year LLB Student, UNISA
The Compliance Management course was informative, thought-provoking and engaging. I have been doing distance learning for more than five years now, and I can confidently say that this course presented me with the best learning experience overall.
Course Convenors
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.
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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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