Overview

Most questions about Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education have shifted from how to use technologies to understanding how to teach and learn with technologies. While there is an increasing recognition of the role of ICT in transforming both the teaching and learning practices, the lack of pedagogical knowledge among educators and practitioners is the foremost reason why emerging technologies remain unexplored in education or under- utilised. The other challenge is the inadequate theorisation of the phenomenon of teaching with ICT as opposed to teaching ICT. This is particularly pronounced in the education systems in developing nations where much focus of ICT in education has tended to emphasise technologies that institutions provide (e.g. computers) which students do not often personally own. This postgraduate programme is jointly offered by the School of Education and the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT).

Objectives

The primary objective of the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Technology is to provide potential and practising educators, corporate trainers, and anyone responsible to e-Learning with an opportunity to understand the effects that any use of emerging technologies have on the practice of learning, and how pedagogies need to be aligned to ensure positive learning outcomes. Thus, the programme responds to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century education in developing nations through the lens of global trends. 

Programme Structure

The programme comprises three compulsory 30-credit modules, and three 10-credit electives. 

Compulsory:

• EDN4500W: Emerging Technologies in Education
• EDN4503W: Learning Teaching & Emerging Technologies
• EDN4502W: Research & Evaluation of Emerging Technologies

Elective courses:

Select any THREE 10-credit modules from PGDip in Blended and Online Learning (PGBOLD) clusters below.
               
Cluster 1:
EDN4601 Introduction to Learning Design    
EDN4603 Learning Design Models           
EDN4602 Design Thinking for Learning Designers    
EDN4613 Project Management in Learning Design    

Cluster 2:
EDN4604 Introduction to Designing for Social Justice
EDN4606 Becoming a Learning Design Professional
EDN4605 Co-creation in Learning Design       
EDN4607 Learning Analytics for Learning Designers         

Cluster 3: [Not Offered in 2026]
EDN4608 Platforms and Tools            
EDN4609 Designing for Assessment        
EDN4610 Producing Blended & Online Content    
EDN4611 Facilitating Online            

Cluster 4: [Not Offered in 2026]
EDN4612 Learning Design Intervention: Design and Development
EDN4613 Learning Design Intervention: Evaluation       
EDN4615 Learning Design Intervention: Showcasing Critical Reflexivity

2026 Dates

Online classes usually take place on Zoom on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 16.00-18.00.

Elective courses:

2026 PGDIP EdTech cohort have to take EDN4616V Learning Design in Practice (10 credits) - see above.

EDN4616V Learning Design in Practice: 
29th of June - 27th of July 2026 (TUE/THU) with an in-person block week from 6th - 10 July 2026 
They must further select any TWO 10-credit modules from the PGDip in Blended and Online Learning (PGBOLD) courses below:

For more information on course contents, visit the  BOLD short course website.

Application Procedure

To make a formal application you need to complete the UCT application for postgraduate admission on or before 30th September. Please follow the links below and complete the forms with the greatest care to detail.
 
Please find online application information and links below:

Apply Online

For any queries with your online application, please contact the Admissions Office on (021) 650 2128 or Admissions-pg@uct.ac.za one of the staff members will be able to talk you through the process.
Queries

Please consult Dick Ng'ambi and Shanali Govender for any queries relating to the programme.

Admission queries
hum-postgrad@uct.ac.za