Wits Short Courses 2027: Wits Plus Courses and Requirements
If you want to learn new skills, improve your professional knowledge or explore a different career path, Wits Plus offers a wide range of short courses through the University of the Witwatersrand’s lifelong-learning programmes.
The Wits Plus catalogue currently features 81 short courses covering subjects such as artificial intelligence, business management, construction, geosciences, languages, law, mining, health sciences, governance and leadership.
Courses have different start dates, formats, entry requirements and fees, so prospective students should check the details of their chosen course before applying.
What Is Wits Plus?
Wits Plus is the lifelong-learning platform of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). It offers open-enrolment short courses for individuals, as well as customised learning and development programmes for organisations and groups.
The courses are designed for people who want to gain practical knowledge, strengthen existing skills or develop expertise in a particular field.
What Short Courses Are Available at Wits Plus?
The Wits Plus short-course catalogue covers a variety of academic and professional fields.
Current categories include:
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence
- Arts
- Business Management
- Construction
- General Management Development
- Geosciences
- Governance
- Languages
- Law
- Leadership and Coaching
- Mining
- Science and Health Sciences
- Specialisation
- Wits Business School Executive Education
- Wits School of Governance
With such a broad selection, learners can choose courses based on their professional interests, career goals or existing qualifications.
Wits Plus Artificial Intelligence Courses
Artificial intelligence is one of the areas currently covered by Wits Plus.
Examples of courses listed in the catalogue include:
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Large Language Models
- Your Personal AI System: A Hands-on Generative AI Course for Everyone
Other AI-related programmes and specialisations
AI courses may be useful for professionals and learners who want to understand emerging technologies and how generative AI can be applied in different settings.
However, course dates, delivery methods, requirements and fees differ between programmes.
Business and Management Short Courses
Wits Plus also offers several courses focused on business, management and professional development.
Examples include:
- B-BBEE: Management Development Programme
- Predictive Reasoning for Business, Government, and Creative Industries
- Principles and Fundamentals of Fundraising
- Corporate Social Responsibility & Business in Society
- Operations Management Practice
- Business Communication Skills
- Social Media Marketing
- Data Literacy
- Financial Management of a Business Operation
These programmes cover areas ranging from business communication and financial management to operations, data and social media.
Languages and Communication Courses
There are also several language and communication-related options in the Wits Plus catalogue.
These include different levels of General English, English for University Success, English-related assessments and South African Sign Language courses.
The availability, duration and requirements depend on the specific programme.
Law, Governance and Leadership Courses
For students and professionals interested in law, governance and leadership, Wits Plus provides courses in several specialised areas.
Examples include:
- Access to Information and Privacy Law
- Advanced Administrative Law
- Advanced Collective Labour Law
- Environmental Law and Sustainability
- International Nuclear Law
- Governance and Ethics
- Governance, Policy and Regulation for the Digital Era
- Risk, Compliance and Governance in the Financial Sector
These courses can be particularly relevant to people working in legal, regulatory, governance, compliance and management environments.
Mining, Engineering and Geosciences Courses
Wits Plus also has a selection of courses for people interested in mining, engineering and geosciences.
- Geological Orebody Modelling
- Sampling Theory and Methods
- Mining Methods
- Occupational Health and Safety Practice in Mining
Current listings include:
- Introduction to Geostatistical Methods in Mineral Evaluation
- Exploration Targeting Using Geophysics
- Critical Raw Materials
- Machine Learning for Geological Modelling
- Beneficiation Economics
The technical nature of these courses means that prospective students should carefully review the entry requirements before applying.
Education and Health Sciences Courses
Wits Plus also offers learning opportunities related to education and health sciences.
The catalogue includes Child Development: The First 1000 Days, an online course available through Wits DigitalCampus, as well as Early Intervention for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants.
Another programme listed is Teaching in Health Sciences: From Professional to Educator, which has an online option.
Are Wits Plus Short Courses Online?
Some Wits Plus courses are offered online, but not every course is necessarily online.
The catalogue identifies courses delivered through Wits DigitalCampus and includes online options for selected programmes in areas such as management, business and education.
Because the delivery format differs from one course to another, applicants should check the individual course page before applying.
When Do Wits Plus Courses Start?
Wits Plus does not have one single intake date for all short courses.
Courses listed in the catalogue have different starting dates throughout the year. Depending on the programme, courses may begin in:
- January 2027
- February 2027
- March 2027
- July 2027
- August 2027
- September 2027
- October 2027
- November 2027
Some programmes may show their start date as TBC, which means the date has not yet been confirmed.
What Are the Requirements for Wits Plus Courses?
There is no single admission requirement that applies to every Wits Plus short course.
Each programme has its own entry requirements. Some courses may have specific academic, professional or language requirements, while others may have different conditions for admission.
Applicants should therefore open the individual course listing and check the requirements before submitting an application.
How Much Do Wits Plus Short Courses Cost?
There is no single fee for all Wits Plus short courses.
The cost depends on the programme selected, and applicants should check the official course page for the latest fee information.
It is therefore important to avoid assuming that all Wits Plus courses have the same price.
Are Wits Plus Short Courses Free?
The Wits Plus catalogue should not be treated as a list of free courses.
Individual programmes have their own course information and fees. Some courses may have costs associated with registration or participation.
Applicants should check the official listing for their chosen programme to confirm the current fee before applying.
Do Wits Plus Courses Offer a Stipend?
Wits Plus does not generally advertise its short-course catalogue as a stipend programme.
These programmes are presented as short courses and lifelong-learning opportunities. Applicants should therefore not assume that they will receive a stipend or salary simply because they enrol in a Wits Plus course.
If a particular programme has financial support or another benefit, applicants should confirm this directly from the official course information.
What Certificate Do Students Receive?
Certification depends on the course.
Some programmes may offer a Certificate of Competence or another form of course completion certification.
Because certification differs between programmes, students should check the individual course page to find out exactly what certificate or recognition is provided.
A Wits Plus short course should not automatically be assumed to be equivalent to a full university qualification.
How to Find a Wits Plus Short Course
The official Wits Plus website provides a searchable short-course catalogue where prospective students can browse available programmes.
After choosing a course, check the individual listing for important information such as:
- Course description
- Start and end dates
- Application closing date
- Delivery format
- Course duration
- Entry requirements
- Certification
- Course fees
- Application instructions
Checking these details is important because Wits Plus courses have different schedules, requirements and formats.
How to Apply for a Wits Plus Short Course
If you find a course that matches your interests, open the individual course listing on the official Wits Plus website.
Review the requirements, course dates, fees and delivery method before proceeding with the application.
Follow the application instructions provided on the official course page and make sure that any required information or supporting documents are submitted correctly.
Final Thoughts
Wits Plus offers a broad selection of short courses for people who want to develop new skills or strengthen their professional knowledge.
The current catalogue includes opportunities in artificial intelligence, business, management, languages, law, mining, construction, geosciences, governance, education and health sciences, among other fields.
Since every programme can have different fees, dates, entry requirements, study formats and certification, it is important to check the individual course information before applying.
If you are planning to study a Wits short course in 2027, use the official Wits Plus catalogue to find a programme that matches your interests and career goals.
Official Source
Wits Plus – Official Short Courses Catalogue
The official Wits Plus catalogue provides the latest information about available programmes, including course dates, delivery formats, requirements, fees and application details.
