Postgraduate Diploma

Structure,courses and assessment
Outcomes of the programme
Teaching modes
Admission requirements
Application information
Tuition fee

Structure, courses and assessment

The postgraduate diploma is an online teaching programme supplemented with interactive satellite broadcasts. It is presented on a part-time basis and students attend a compulsory summer school in January 2012.

Students are assessed on a continuous basis throughout the year. Training is presented in 6 courses of 20 credits each and students must complete 120 credits to qualify for being awarded the diploma. If the diploma is completed with an average of 65% or higher, students qualify to enter the masters programme.

1. The problem of HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS epidemic
The general macro-economic impact of HIV/AIDS

2. Socio-cultural aspects of HIV/AIDS
Socio-cultural aspects
Migration and poverty

3. HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy
Legal framework and organisational practices regarding employment of workers with HIV/AIDS
A labour relations perspective on HIV/AIDS
Principles of policy development
The process and content of an HIV/AIDS policy

4. Prevention and care for people living with HIV/AIDS
Strategies for prevention and care
Therapeutic management of HIV/AIDS
Care for people living with HIV/AIDS

5. Management in the era of HIV/AIDS
A business perspective on HIV/AIDS
An individual perspective on HIV/AIDS
Social responsibility and ethics

6. Research, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes
Research methodology
Community/organisation mobilisation
Impact prediction

Outcomes of the programme

By successfully completing the diploma, candidates will have acquired the knowledge, competencies and managerial skills to:

  • formulate an HIV/AIDS workplace policy that is cost-effective and evidence-based, taking due account of the legal, ethical, social, economic and health issues
  • influence and facilitate strategic and business planning, manage productivity and carry out performance assessment in the context of HIV/AIDS
  • develop a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and continuum of care programme
  • implement legislation and policies affecting HIV/AIDS at work
  • facilitate community support and community actions
  • conduct labour planning for a future in which HIV/AIDS is prevalent
  • monitor and assess HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes
  • assess the impact of HIV/AIDS in the workplace
  • carry out a research project on HIV/AIDS in the workplace

Teaching modes

In presenting the various modules of the programme the Africa Centre makes use of various modes of teaching, including:

  • online teaching using Moodle (a leading provider of integrated e-learning systems for higher education)
  • interactive satellite broadcasts
  • projects that enable students to apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes learned
  • analyses of case studies
  • face-to face teaching during the summer school
  • meeting role-players in the HIV/AIDS field
  • site visits to projects to gain first-hand experience

Admission requirements

The entry requirements for the diploma are:

  • any bachelor’s degree or national higher diploma or equivalent
  • work experience
  • computer, internet and e-mail skills

Application information

Prospective students have to apply in writing before 31 October of the year prior to their studies.

Please ensure that you complete the two application forms:
1. The Africa Centre application form
In Adobe Acrobat format [82 kb] OR in MSWord format [79 kb] . Please fax this form with your qaulifications to 0218083015. You can also email this form with your qaulifications to Ms. Bianca Farao at bianca@sun.ac.za or Mr Rialdo Alexander at ralex@sun.ac.za .

2.Complete the University form online
Please follow these steps

  • Click on the link.
  • Click on the “Continue with the application procedure” button at the bottom.
  • Select the ITE programme.
  • The Faculty is -Economic and Management Sciences.
  • Complete all the questions and proceed until the last page.
  • You can pay the application fee with a credit card, or pay the amount into the Universities bank account.
  • Please make sure that you follow all the instructions.
  • You can submit the signed Africa Centre form by fax or email.

Tuition fee

Tuition fee for 2012:  R18 805.00
Additional cost: Summer school ( R 1 950.00 for accomodation)
Students are responsible for the payment of their own transport and accommodation during the summer school.