Optentia short courses and learning programmes
Practical learning for people who develop people.
Build mentoring, career-development, facilitation and research capability through focused programmes designed for higher education, professional practice and community impact.
Start with your development goal
Find the learning route that fits your role
01
Academic mentoring
Prepare to participate in academic mentoring as a mentee or mentor.
02
Support services
Develop as a professional staff mentee or mentor in higher education.
03
Career development
Strengthen employability, graduate mentoring or programme facilitation.
04
Research design
Build rigorous research, analysis, writing and publication capability.
Before registering: confirm the next intake, delivery dates, fees, admission requirements and available places with Optentia.
Language and recognition: All eight listed offerings are delivered in English and lead to an NWU Certificate of Successful Completion.
Programme catalogue
Choose a programme, then open its brochure
Each panel summarises the intended audience, delivery model and core learning purpose.
Academic mentoring
Build effective academic mentoring relationships
Academic life can be demanding, particularly early in a career. This course prepares academics to enter mentoring relationships with clarity, confidence and purpose.
Four modules address the academic work environment, a capabilities model of functioning, effective mentee practice and intentional change. Participants complete knowledge quizzes and build an evaluated mentorship portfolio.
Who should attend: Early-career and establishing academics entering or already participating in mentoring, including those new to higher education or moving into more senior roles. At least an Honours degree is recommended.
Mentoring is a developed skill. This course helps experienced academics guide, encourage and listen to mentees while preserving the mentee's responsibility for their own development.
Four modules cover academic work, capability, mentoring conversations and change. Practical contexts include doctoral study, NRF ratings, publication, grants, networking and work-life balance.
Who should attend: Academics engaged in or preparing for formal mentoring. A PhD is preferred; applicants with a master's degree may also be considered.
Professional and support services
Develop capability across university support roles
Short course 03
Building Your Path to Professional Development
Hybrid8 weeks40 hoursPass: 50%
This course supports professional and administrative staff before, during and after a mentoring relationship, particularly when entering higher education or moving into more advanced responsibilities.
Participants explore the higher education environment, their capabilities and contributions, effective mentee roles and intentional change. Four modules include interactive quizzes and a structured mentorship portfolio.
Who should attend: Early-career professional and support staff or those transitioning into new roles. Minimum qualification: National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4. No prior experience is required.
Short course 04
Mentoring for University Support Services
Hybrid40 hoursPass: 50%NWU certificate
This course develops professional and support staff as confident mentors who listen, support growth, encourage reflection and help mentees navigate university systems.
Five modules address the higher education environment, capability, mentoring conversations, emotional intelligence, constructive feedback, planning and change.
Who should attend: Experienced professional and support staff committed to development, including those who have completed foundational mentor training. Minimum qualification: National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4 and four years of relevant experience.
Career and employability development
Turn capability into practical movement
Short learning programme 05
Career Enhancement
Contact / blended1 month6 sessionsNWU certificate
This programme helps participants identify and develop their strengths, values and capabilities as foundations for meaningful work and greater self-sufficiency.
Six interactive sessions use discussion, activity and role-play to develop self-awareness, career or entrepreneurial direction, networking, CVs, cover letters, interviews, problem-solving and access to community resources.
Who should attend: Unemployed people seeking stronger employment prospects or entrepreneurial direction. Minimum qualification: National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
This course helps NWU alumni translate professional experience into skilled mentoring that supports graduates moving from higher education into working life.
Four study units use the Carkhuff Model of Helping and Facilitation and Boyatzis's Intentional Change Theory to develop listening, mentoring conversations, needs assessment, goal-setting, reflection and a personal mentoring plan.
Who should attend: NWU alumni volunteering to mentor graduates. Minimum qualification: Diploma or Certificate at NQF Level 5 or 6, with at least four years of professional experience.
Short course 07
Qhubekela Phambili Trainer Development
HybridUp to 5 weeks40 hoursPass: 50%
Qhubekela Phambili means “Move Forward” or “Keep Going”. This course prepares facilitators to deliver the research-based career enhancement programme for young people.
Eight modules develop adaptive facilitation using active learning, social support, guiding behaviour, referent power and preparation for setbacks. Participants build psychologically safe learning environments and conclude by facilitating a live session.
Who should attend: Career development counsellors, Life Orientation teachers and employability, youth-development or career-guidance facilitators. Minimum qualification: Diploma or Certificate at NQF Level 5 or 6 and a relevant current role.
Short learning programme 08
Research Design
Contact / blended19 weeks160 hoursNWU certificate
This programme develops the ability to design rigorous research, conduct appropriate analysis and communicate processes and findings clearly and transparently.
Ten study units cover research and the philosophy of science, phenomenon-based inquiry, psychological readiness, proposals, literature reviews, academic writing, qualitative and quantitative designs, mixed methods, design science research, scientific publishing and research impact.
Hands-on work introduces JASP, Mplus, jamovi and RStudio, together with research-support tools including Zotero, ASReview, NotebookLM and Elicit.
Who should attend: Current or prospective postgraduate students and research staff in government or business. Minimum qualification: an Honours degree, or equivalent four-year degree, in the social sciences or a related field.
Enquiries and registration
Ask about the next available intake
Optentia Research Unit, Vanderbijlpark Campus, North-West University