GetSmarter

GetSmarter is an online short course provider that was founded in Cape Town and has its office in Salt River. It is part of the 2U group and works with partner universities and institutions, including the University of Cape Town and its Graduate School of Business, as well as several international universities. The university or institution that a course is presented with issues the credential, not GetSmarter.

The site states plainly that GetSmarter is not an accredited educational institution and has no campuses. Its courses are non-credit-bearing, so they do not count towards a degree or diploma, and they are not listed as NQF-registered qualifications. Some courses are endorsed by professional bodies or carry continuing professional development points, and this is shown on each course page. A learner should check the endorsement on the course page before relying on it for work or study.

Every course is taught online. Learners study in groups, called cohorts, on a platform called the Online Campus, where video lectures, notes, quizzes, assignments and discussion forums are released module by module each week. Each learner has a success adviser for support. A stable internet connection and a computer are needed, and there is a mobile app, although some activities open in a browser, so data use is worth asking about before enrolling.

The subjects are aimed at working adults and career changers: artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, business management and strategy, project management, leadership, marketing, finance and investment, law and compliance, health sciences and wellness, sustainability, real estate, design, and more. Courses run from a few weeks to several months, with a set number of study hours per week.

Intakes work through scheduled presentations. Each course has fixed start dates, and a new presentation is not guaranteed. To register, a learner sends a course query, speaks to an enrolment specialist, and secures a place by paying the minimum amount needed to complete registration. The site lists no entry requirements on its course pages.

Payment can be made by card, electronic transfer or direct deposit, or by e-wallet where the device allows. Prices can be viewed in several currencies, including rand. Longer courses may offer part-payment instalments, and a third-party partner, EdAid, offers interest-free instalments on selected courses and in selected regions. GetSmarter states that it offers no bursaries, scholarships or funding of its own, and it encourages learners to ask their employers to pay.