POSTGRADUATE STUDIES Postgraduate studies in regional and local economic development

THE Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is the academic home of the Regional and Local Economic Development Capacity Building Initiative (RLEDI), which is funded and supported by the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea).

Through this partnership, the GSB&L offers postgraduate programmes aimed at promoting regional and local economic development (RLED) research and learning, building critical thinking in relation to RLED, continuing professional development, creating a professional network of RLED graduates and strengthening the implementation practice of RLED institutions.

Postgraduate programmes offered

• Master of Commerce, LED specialisation ( coursework)

• Postgraduate Diploma ( LED specialisation)

• Master of Commerce by research (RLED focus) About the programmes These programmes are aimed at building capacity for RLED through coursework and a research component. The coursework programme covers a variety of modules including Economics for Management, Systems Thinking, Partnerships, Leadership, Development Economics and Business Strategy.

The Master of Commerce by supervised research includes a research methods module and ad hoc seminars, while remaining fully focused on the production of a research project of significance to improve understanding and practise of RLED.

The academic programmes include a guest lecture series, informative field excursions and intensive research support during the process of undertaking the course. Who may apply? Existing LED practitioners based within key LED institutions in provincial government, districts and municipalities should apply.

Members of civil society organisations addressing economic development, and those working on economic development from within the private sector would also find the programme useful. Duration • The Masters programme by supervised research may be completed in one year of full-time study or in two years of part-time study.

• The Masters programme by coursework may be completed in two years of part-time study.

• The Postgraduate Diploma programme can be completed in two years of part-time study. Admission requirements • Masters programme: an appropriate four-year degree at Honours level or equivalent.

• Postgraduate Diploma programme: any recognised undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Technology or three-year tertiary qualification from a recognised institution.

Applications are open to study in 2017.

The closing date for applications is November 30, 2016. Apply online at gsbl.ukzn.ac.za