University of Cape Town

Facilities Management

Acquire the expertise to design an efficient helpdesk process and propose effective strategies for achieving optimal facilities management.

Start date

21 July 2025

Price

$1,138 USD

Installment Plan

Course duration

8 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

7–10 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

26% to 50%

Over a third of businesses outsource up to half of their facilities services.

Servest (2019).

$1.9 trillion

The global market prediction for in-house and outsourced facilities management by 2024.

McKinsey (Nov, 2019).

Facilities management has undergone a significant shift from a disconnected service industry to a well-established profession catering to the entire value chain. Nowadays, it has become a critical and integrated element of an organisation's structure, strategy, and operations.

By registering for the University of Cape Town Facilities Management online short course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of this critical management component and its relevance to strategic and operational business matters. The course explores the relationship between budgeting, processes, policies, and the environment and the importance of maintenance and project management. You’ll also learn about the facilities management life cycle and develop a helpdesk procedure to handle unforeseen maintenance issues. The course also covers essential topics such as contract and tender management and the use of technology in facilities management, providing you with the skills you need to holistically fulfil a crucial and in-demand business role.

Is this course for you?

This online course is perfect for those currently working in the industry or wanting to start a facilities management career. With a lack of formal training available in the industry, this online course allows professionals to validate their skills and distinguish themselves in the market. The course enables existing facilities management employees to enhance their current skill set and aspiring professionals to acquire vital skills. Upon completion, you’ll be awarded a digital certificate from Africa's leading university, which is proof of their expertise in the field.¹

¹ QS Top Universities (2024).

Course overview

¹ QS Top Universities (2024).

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:

The knowledge and insight to communicate facilities management risks and opportunities to senior management.

The ability to recommend strategies for balancing maintenance, operations, and upgrades to the working environment.

The skills to design a comprehensive facilities management helpdesk process for an organisation.

An overview of the legislation and regulation related to facilities management, and an understanding of the ways in which technology can be leveraged for added value.

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

Learn about the strategic role and impact of facilities management as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Facilities management in context

Module 2

Leadership and strategy

Module 3

Policies and processes: communication and implementation

Module 4

Maintenance, life cycles and budgeting

Module 5

Managing projects and stakeholders

Module 6

Tendering and contract management

Module 7

Compliance and occupational health and safety

Module 8

Technology, systems and processes for business continuity

Convenor

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.

Jacques Rousseau

Chair, Commerce Faculty Ethics in Research Committee and Lecturer, Section for Applied Management, School of Management Studies, UCT

About the certificate

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the role and context of facilities 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.

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 Facilities 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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