Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analysis

The Rhodes Business School is committed to making a significant contribution to the development of sustainable business practices. Business Analysis is a critical skill set required to assist organisations to achieve sustainable business performance.

The purpose of the Diploma is to provide a qualification for Business Analysis professionals that will enable them to strategically, operationally and critically address relevant methods, processes, systems and techniques that should be applied to achieve sustainable business performance.

In so doing, the number and quality of working Business Analysts in Africa who are able to effectively communicate and apply their understanding of the theory, principles, purpose, role, methods and techniques of business analysis, business modelling and business process improvement to achieve sustainable business performance will be achieved.

The Programme

The PGDip(Business Analysis) is a one year, full-time or one and a half year, part-time modular programme, comprising four modules, where students are required to attend four teaching blocks in Grahamstown. Between teaching blocks, students are required to complete work-based assignments. A practical 24-hour examination is undertaken at the commencement of the 4th teaching block, covering all four modules. A Problem-Solving Project (PSP), with a supporting portfolio of evidence (POE) is to be submitted by the end of the second semester for full-time students or at the end of the first semester of the second year for part-time students.

The Learning Approach

The programme is based on the action learning philosophy, which is embodied in four distinct elements:

• Preparation prior to blocks
• Lectures, seminars, discussions and case studies
• Practical assignments and self-learning between blocks
• The problem-solving project with supporting a portfolio of evidence

Eligibility

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma in a related discipline (Information Systems, Business Analysis, Project Management).

For candidates who do not have a degree or Advanced Diploma, the status of bachelor would be determined on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), taking into consideration having at least three years as a Business Analyst, but would also consider age, seniority and number of tertiary level courses attended. Each candidate will be considered on their own merits. As a rule of thumb, only 10% of the class may be admitted under RPL.

How is the course delivered?

There are four teaching blocks, which you have to attend in Grahamstown on the dates shown below. Teaching Block commences on a Sunday and finishes on Saturday. Teaching is 8am to 6pm each day. In between blocks, you are required to do readings, work on your assignments and prepare for tests, which are written at the commencement of blocks 2 and 3. Prior to block 4 there will be a practical 24 hour examination, which covers Modules 1 to 3.