List of Short Courses in South Africa for 2026 Admissions: Skills, Fees & Providers

Key Takeaways: The “Quick Win” Strategy

• Why Short Courses? They are the fastest way to add a keyword to your LinkedIn profile (e.g., “Python,” “Project Management,” “OHS”).
• The Golden Rule: Always check if it is a Certificate of Competence (You passed an exam) or Attendance (You just sat in the class). Employers value “Competence.”
• Top Fields 2026: Data Analytics, Project Management, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), and Solar Installation.
• Providers:
  • Premium: UCT GetSmarter, Wits Plus, GIBS.
  • Affordable: UNISA, TVET Colleges, Udemy (Non-accredited).
• Cost: Ranges from R4,000 (UNISA) to R25,000 (UCT).

In 2026, the job market has shifted. Employers are less impressed by a generic BA degree and more interested in specific, tangible skills. Can you manage a project? Can you code in Python? Do you know the OHS Act?

Short courses are the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. They range from 4 weeks to 6 months, allowing you to work full-time while you study.

However, not all short courses are equal. A R300 course on Udemy might teach you the same content as a R15,000 course at Wits, but the Wits certificate will likely get you the interview.

Here is the definitive list of the best short courses opening for 2026 Admissions, categorized by career goal.

1. Project Management (The Most In-Demand Skill)

Every industry, from Construction to IT, needs Project Managers.

Option A: UCT Project Management Foundations (Online)

• Provider: UCT (via GetSmarter/2U).
• Dates: Intakes usually start every 4-6 weeks (Next: Jan/Feb 2026).
• Duration: 10 Weeks.
• Cost: Approx. R16,000 – R19,000.
• Why: It’s the “Gold Standard” for corporate CVs. It covers Agile and Waterfall methodologies.

Option B: Wits Plus – Project Management

• Provider: Wits University (Wits Plus).
• Dates: Semester-based (Feb & July 2026).
• Duration: 10–12 Weeks (Contact/Online).
• Cost: Approx. R12,000 – R15,000.
• Focus: Very academic and rigorous. Great for people in Engineering or Mining.

Option C: UNISA – Basics of Project Management

• Provider: UNISA Centre for Business Management.
• Code: 7215X.
• Duration: 6 Months.
• Cost: Approx. R5,000 – R6,000.
• Why: The budget-friendly option. It is respected because it is from a university, but the administration can be slow.

2. Digital & IT Skills (Coding, Data, Marketing)

If you want to pivot into Tech without doing a 3-year BSc.

1. Data Analytics (UCT / Stellenbosch)

• Provider: University of Cape Town or Stellenbosch (via GetSmarter).
• Focus: SQL, Tableau, and basic Python for business decisions.
• Duration: 8–10 Weeks.
• Who is it for? Accountants, Marketers, or Managers who are tired of Excel crashing.

2. Digital Marketing (Red & Yellow / UJ)

• Provider: Red & Yellow Creative School of Business (or UJ Online).
• Focus: SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Strategy.
• Cost: R14,000 – R18,000.
• Why: Red & Yellow is industry-famous. Their certificate holds weight in ad agencies.

3. Coding Bootcamps (HyperionDev / Zaio)

• Note: These are not “University Short Courses” but private bootcamps.
• Duration: 3 – 6 Months (Intensive).
• Cost: R25,000 – R45,000.
• Focus: Full Stack Web Development.
• Outcome: You graduate with a portfolio of code, which is often more valuable to tech companies than a certificate.

3. Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

Strict laws in SA mean every company with more than 20 employees needs a Safety Rep. This is a quick way to become “essential” at work.

1. SAMTRAC (NOSA)

• Provider: NOSA (Now SafetyCloud).
• Course: Introduction to SAMTRAC and SAMTRAC.
• Status: This is the industry benchmark for Safety Officers in Mining and Construction.
• Cost: R8,000 – R18,000.
• Warning: Ensure you book the official NOSA course; many fly-by-nights pretend to offer “Samtrac-like” training.

2. OHS Representative (Public Colleges)

• Provider: Various TVET Colleges (e.g., Northlink, False Bay).
• Focus: First Aid, Fire Fighting, OHS Act.
• Duration: 1 – 3 Weeks.
• Cost: Affordable (R2,000 – R4,000).

4. Admin & Office Management

For those looking to break into corporate admin roles.

1. Office Administration (Boston City Campus)

• Provider: Boston City Campus.
• Focus: Computing, Reception, Basic Bookkeeping.
• Why: Boston has many campuses, so you can go in person.
• Accreditation: Check if the specific course is credit-bearing (NQF Level 5).

2. Bookkeeping (ICB)

• Provider: Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (via colleges like Damelin or Distance Learning).
• Focus: Practical accounting.
• Value: Highly employable. Small businesses always need bookkeepers.

5. Technical & Trade Skills (Blue Collar)

With the electricity crisis, these are gold mines.

1. Solar PV Installation

• Provider: PQRS or ACDC Dynamics Training Centres.
• Focus: How to install inverters and solar panels legally.
• Requirement: usually requires you to be a qualified Electrician (“Wireman’s License”) to sign off, but anyone can do the assistant course to learn the physical installation.

2. Welding / Bricklaying (TVETs)

• Provider: Public TVET Colleges (e.g., Majuba, Ekurhuleni East).
• Program: “Skills Programmes” (Not NATED).
• Duration: 3 – 6 Months.
• Cost: Often funded by NSF (National Skills Fund) if you are unemployed. Visit your nearest TVET campus to ask about “Occupational Skills Programmes.”

6. How to Choose: Attendance vs. Competence

This is the most important section of this article.

Certificate of Attendance:

• Requirement: You showed up to 80% of the Zoom classes. You didn’t write an exam.
• Value: Low. It shows interest, but doesn’t prove skill.
• Common In: 1-day seminars, webinars.

Certificate of Competence:

• Requirement: You handed in assignments and passed a final assessment/exam.
• Value: High. It proves you learned the material.
• Common In: University short courses (Wits/UCT), Accredited TVET courses.

Advice: Always ask the admissions officer: “Is this a Certificate of Competence or Attendance?” If you are paying R10,000+, demand Competence.

7. UNISA Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) 2026

UNISA is unique because it offers hundreds of specific, niche courses.

• How to Apply: UNISA SLPs have a different portal from the main degree portal.
• Dates: Registration usually opens December – February for Semester 1.
• Popular Options:
  • Course in Court Interpreting.
  • Course in Introduction to Java Programming.
  • Course in Payroll Administration.
  • Programme in procurement and Supply Management.
• Website: Search for “UNISA Short Learning Programmes” specifically.

Summary: Upgrade Your CV

A short course will not replace a 3-year degree, but it can be the “tie-breaker” that gets you the job. If you have a BCom and a Project Management certificate, you beat the guy who just has a BCom.

Action Plan:

1. Identify the Gap: Look at job ads for the job you want. What skill do they list that you lack? (e.g., “SQL” or “Health and Safety”).
2. Pick the Provider: If you have budget, go for UCT/Wits (Brand power). If you are on a budget, go for UNISA or TVETs.
3. Apply Now: January/February is the main intake for 2026.

Disclaimer: Prices listed are estimates based on 2025/2026 pricing structures. Short courses do not usually lead to a degree qualification (NQF 7) but are credit-bearing towards one in some cases.