University of Cape Town
Construction Management online short course
Understand the principles and practices that impact the day-to-day management of construction in the South African context. Learn how to organise, oversee, and minimise risk on building projects.
Start date
25 August 2025
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The value of infrastructure projects that were underway in the Southern African region in 2024.
ABiQ (2024).
South Africa’s expected construction output by 2028.
Research and Markets (2024).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The construction industry in sub-Saharan Africa has great potential thanks to the widespread infrastructure development and transformation taking place. However, success in this field requires strong planning, coordination, and management skills. To address this need, the University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in construction management. The course is designed to equip students with the practical skills to manage large and small construction projects. It explores client relationships, stakeholder needs, health and safety risks, environmental considerations, and time and cost constraints. Additionally, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the South African construction industry and its related economic factors. Experts from Africa's leading university teach this course – and it's the only online construction management short course accredited by a South African university.
Is the UCT Construction Management online short course for you?
This UCT Construction Management online short course offers students a comprehensive understanding of construction management principles and best practices, making it ideal for established industry professionals seeking to formalise their knowledge, as well as newcomers to the field. It’s also suitable for site managers, contractors, safety officers, quantity surveyors, and junior architects who wish to enhance their skills. Individuals seeking a more pragmatic overview of construction management principles will find that this course emphasises problem-based learning and uses real-world case studies and practical exercises to prepare students for careers in the South African building industry. By the end of the course, students will have gained practical insights and skills you can immediately apply in the workplace. For example, individuals will create health and safety plans and learn to work out the cash flow of a construction project.
This course is approved by the University of Cape Town and is validated by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for CPD credits. The course has an estimated 80 hours of learning and South African engineering professionals can earn up to eight CPD credits.*
International students need to consult their national professional engineering bodies to check whether this course is recognised for points towards maintaining professional status.
*Should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon you. The University of Cape Town and GetSmarter accept no responsibility. If you would like to claim validation or points, use the ECSA validation number UCTGSCON25.
GetSmarter is approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) as an Authorized Training Partner (ATP), a partnership that enables you to join the world’s largest project management network. This Construction Management online short course will count for 63.00 PDUs in total, and the division of hours is as follows: Technical - 31.75, Leadership - 0.00, Strategic - 31.25.
PMI is responsible for setting project management standards and providing certification. By taking this course, you’ll gain PMI-endorsed skills that are globally recognised. You can also use these learning hours towards furthering your professional project management development. See PMI.org for more information.
Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for the reporting of these PDUs and/or hours to the PMI. The onus, therefore, falls on you to do so.
The PMI® Authorized Training Partner seal is a mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
The construction industry in sub-Saharan Africa has great potential thanks to the widespread infrastructure development and transformation taking place. However, success in this field requires strong planning, coordination, and management skills. To address this need, the University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in construction management. The course is designed to equip students with the practical skills to manage large and small construction projects. It explores client relationships, stakeholder needs, health and safety risks, environmental considerations, and time and cost constraints. Additionally, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the South African construction industry and its related economic factors. Experts from Africa's leading university teach this course – and it's the only online construction management short course accredited by a South African university.
Is the UCT Construction Management online short course for you?
This UCT Construction Management online short course offers students a comprehensive understanding of construction management principles and best practices, making it ideal for established industry professionals seeking to formalise their knowledge, as well as newcomers to the field. It’s also suitable for site managers, contractors, safety officers, quantity surveyors, and junior architects who wish to enhance their skills. Individuals seeking a more pragmatic overview of construction management principles will find that this course emphasises problem-based learning and uses real-world case studies and practical exercises to prepare students for careers in the South African building industry. By the end of the course, students will have gained practical insights and skills you can immediately apply in the workplace. For example, individuals will create health and safety plans and learn to work out the cash flow of a construction project.
This course is approved by the University of Cape Town and is validated by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for CPD credits. The course has an estimated 80 hours of learning and South African engineering professionals can earn up to eight CPD credits.*
International students need to consult their national professional engineering bodies to check whether this course is recognised for points towards maintaining professional status.
*Should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon you. The University of Cape Town and GetSmarter accept no responsibility. If you would like to claim validation or points, use the ECSA validation number UCTGSCON25.
GetSmarter is approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) as an Authorized Training Partner (ATP), a partnership that enables you to join the world’s largest project management network. This Construction Management online short course will count for 63.00 PDUs in total, and the division of hours is as follows: Technical - 31.75, Leadership - 0.00, Strategic - 31.25.
PMI is responsible for setting project management standards and providing certification. By taking this course, you’ll gain PMI-endorsed skills that are globally recognised. You can also use these learning hours towards furthering your professional project management development. See PMI.org for more information.
Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for the reporting of these PDUs and/or hours to the PMI. The onus, therefore, falls on you to do so.
The PMI® Authorized Training Partner seal is a mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
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 South African construction industry and the factors affecting the market.
The skills to manage cash flow, the tendering process, and other practical aspects of construction work.
The ability to evaluate health and safety risks, and reflect on environmental management practices for a project.
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
Introduction to the South African construction industry
Module 2
Compliance, contracts, and regulation
Module 3
Implementing health and safety, and environmental management
Module 4
Tendering for construction work
Module 5
Pricing the project
Module 6
Planning the project
Module 7
Protecting the cash flow
Module 8
Quality management
What past students
think
John Nicholas
Director, Jesjo Construction
Although I have been in the construction industry for many years, I learnt a lot on this course, and it definitely added to my knowledge and abilities. I found the online experience easy to navigate, with very good support.
Course Convenors
Dr Amanda Filtane
Lecturer, Department of Construction Economics and Management, UCT
Karen Le Jeune
Senior Lecturer, Department of Construction Economics and Management, UCT
About the certificate
Increase your knowledge of construction management 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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