Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Higher Education)

The broad aim of the Diploma is to provide academics with a relevant teaching qualification in line with international trends.

Overview

The PGDipE(HE) in the field of Higher Education is designed to foster a scholarly and professional approach to university teaching, assessment and curriculum design. The PGDipE(HE) will provide lecturers with the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification that is comparable to those offered at top universities globally. It will contribute to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the university.

The PGDipE(HE) is offered in contact mode, modelling eLearning practices, and with support provided by faculty/school mentors through a structured mentorship programme. It will be presented part-time over two years, with classes held during university terms. There will be some flexibility in completion time requirements.

Specific aims are to assist academics to:

  • Strengthen their roles in teaching, assessment and course design;
  • Update and extend their ‘working theories’ and practices as educators; and
  • Deepen engagement with the university as a rapidly changing site of research and scholarship

Do you want to:

  • Enhance your teaching?
  • Consider alternate ways of assessing student learning?
  • Change your curriculum or course design?
  • Engage in the scholarship of learning and teaching?
  • Use technologies to actively engage students?
  • Integrate e-learning into your teaching and assessment?
  • Learn from and with others in a supportive, collegial environment?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above, you should consider registering for the PGDipE(HE) in the field of Higher Education.

Curriculum

The PGDipE(HE) is a formal 120-credit qualification at HEQSF level 8 (the same level as an Honours degree), consisting of four courses:

  • Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (core course)
  • Curriculum Design and Development in Higher Education (core course)
  • Assessment in Higher Education (core course)
  • New Directions in Higher Education: Research-based project or choice of suitable elective (such as the accredited Postgraduate Supervision Course). This may be discussed with the PGDipE(HE) co-ordinators, Laura Dison or Reita Ganas.

Course assessment will be based on work-based portfolios, reflection and application tasks.

Entry Requirements

Who should apply

Wits staff members who are graduates in any field, who hold at least a three or four-year Bachelor’s degree, and who have concurrent or previous relevant teaching experience, are welcome to apply.

Wits staff who would like bursary support should apply online through Witd Human Resources. Applicants from other universities should seek information from their own HR departments.

Please apply online and include:

  • R200 application fee
  • Your CV
  • A letter of motivation
  • Certified copies of academic records and degree certificates (if you have studied at Wits you do not have to submit qualifications)
  • SAQA certificate for international qualifications

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.