In a world yearning for connection and impactful change, the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Community Engagement (PGDip HECE) at Rhodes University to be offered in 2026 is more than a qualification - it's a pathway to becoming a catalyst for individual and social transformation.

This pioneering, interdisciplinary professional development programme empowers you to bridge the gap between higher education and communities, fostering collaborative knowledge creation and meaningful, sustainable change.

Whether you're a passionate graduate, a seasoned professional, or someone committed to social justice and collaborative learning, the PGDip HECE will prepare you to make a tangible and profound contribution to community and societal development.

This PGDip HECE is for you if you are ready to:

• Shape the Future of Higher Education: social responsiveness, democratise knowledge, and tackle pressing societal challenges within academic or community-based settings.
• Master Transformative Learning: Lead quality learning processes that empower individuals and communities towards personal and collective transformation.
• Cultivate lmpactful Engagement: Harness a rich tapestry of critical pedagogies, diverse learning approaches, and ethical frameworks to facilitate authentic and profound community engagement initiatives.
• Champion Social and Epistemic Justice: Actively promote human welfare and well­ being, the public good, and social and epistemic justice through collaborative and ethical action.
• Promote the Cultivation of Humanity: contribute to creating an ethos of educating for life and a living through the cultivation of humanity as a key purpose of higher

Qualification Information

The PGDip HECE comprises four theoretical modules:

• Higher Education and Community Engagement;
• Volunteerism and Active Citizenry;
• Critical Service Learning;
• Engaged Research and two practice based modules: a Community Engagement Praxis project, and a Community Based Participatory Research

All six components of the diploma are compulsory. There are no electives, however, you can choose between Engaged citizenry (volunteerism) or community-based service-learning project as your praxis exercise.

Duration: This Level 8 professional development postgraduate diploma comprising 120 credits is offered over a duration of 2 years.

Unlock Your Potential: What You Will Gain

Our dynamic curriculum is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge on community engagement and its various forms, and sharpen your praxis and research skills. You will gain:

• Foundational Knowledge: Delve into core concepts such as community, engagement, higher education, development, knowledge democracy, Ubuntu, equality, agency, solidarity, cultivation of humanity and the dynamics of social change and transformation that underpin the main forms of community
• Pedagogical Power: Master critical constructivist pedagogy – the "roots and routes" for facilitating impactful higher education community engagement, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring authentic
• Diverse Learning Approaches: Gain expertise in various learning theories, including multiple intelligences, to design inclusive and effective community engagement programmes that resonate with all
• Collaborative Curriculum Design: Develop the skills to co-design curricula using the capabilities approach and engaged critical constructivist pedagogy, creating integrated programmes that connect local needs with national and international
• Engaged Participation & Deep Reflection: Learn powerful strategies to cultivate active participation and profound self-reflection through practices such as reflective journal writing and portfolios of praxis, linking personal growth with community
• Innovative Activity Design: Craft inclusive, joyful, active, meaningful, social, and iterative activities and assignments, incorporating innovative methods like play pedagogy and transformative questioning techniques to achieve social justice
• Authentic Facilitation: Develop your identity as an authentic, reflexive, and empathetic facilitator, mastering group dynamics, managing power effectively, and embracing the strength of collective

Admission Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma or equivalent NQF level 7
• Your academic record and POE of work experience will be key
• Open to individuals from all disciplinary backgrounds, provided you are eager to engage with a variety of methods and resources.

Ready to Lead Change?

Apply online now!

Applications close: 9 January 2026

Fees for 2026:  Fees: R24,000 per year. Staff can apply for a Fee Rebate.

Please note: Students based outside Makhanda will need to budget for travel and accommodation for four teaching blocks in year 1 and two teaching blocks in year 2.

Discover More: Connect directly with us: Email: Gamuchirai Chakona gamuchirai.chakona@ru.ac.za  Phone: 046 603 7229 / 8584

Download the Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education electronic brochure here. 

Last Modified: Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:28:25 SAST