Postgraduate Diploma in

Advancement
and Resource
Mobilisation

Advancement focuses on how an organisation or institution engages with its external environment to attract the resources it needs
to advance its objectives. This is done through a strategic process bringing together its leadership, communications, marketing,
fundraising and alumni relations that creates alignment to strengthen the entity’s case for support.
There exists a critical need to professionalise the work of practitioners in these areas in the NGO and higher education sectors
so that they are adequately equipped with the knowledge, expertise and skills to undertake effective advancement roles, whilst
holding a recognised qualification from a business school. The diploma will be especially suited for fundraisers, communication and
marketing personnel, university development officers as well as organisational CEOs and Directors.

Rhodes Business School website: www.ru.ac.za/businessschool

Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource
Mobilisation
(NQF 8: 120 credits)
Advancement refers to the integration of the strategic thinking within an organisation or institution,
that is reliant on multiple sources of financial and non-financial resources to ensure its longevity. Often
associated with philanthropy, grant, donor, alumni and corporate social investment relationships
and partnerships, it does this by mobilising resources through an effective orchestration of
communications, marketing, public liaison, external relations, fundraising with the requisite legal
and financial associated activities to make the case for support. There exists a critical need to
particularly professionalise the work of Advancement and Resource Mobilisation within the non-
profit, NGO and education sectors, so that practitioners are equipped with the knowledge and skills
to enable their organisations to stand out.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource

Mobilisation strives to grow and build the number and quality of
working Advancement professionals in Africa who are able to engage
systematically and purposefully with their internal and external
stakeholders to attract resources and, thus, contribute to the long-
term sustainability of these non-commercially minded entities.
The programme will seek to equip participants with core
Advancement skills and tools such as those relating to strategy
and planning, leadership, good governance, communication
and marketing, project development, cases for support, legal
requirements, financial management imperatives, and the structuring
of an Advancement operation. The programme will also seek to
give credence to Advancement principles that can be used to
inform integrated and holistic practice by promoting research, as
well as the creation and dissemination of knowledge in this area.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource
Mobilisation is a programme which is aimed at creating
knowledgeable, competent, and innovative Advancement
professionals who are able to be responsive to the constant
turbulence of their internal and external environments. Furthermore,
the Rhodes Business School’s essence of “Leadership for
Sustainability” underlies all subjects in the curriculum by encouraging
thinking around economic, social and environmental sustainability.
 Programme Details
The Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource Mobilisation is a two-year part-time
coursework programme, targeting working professionals, comprising five compulsory modules.
Three of these modules will be run over the course of the first year, with the remaining two occurring
in the second year. Modules are assessed by a combination of tests, assignments, and/or exams,
as well as a research (capstone) project related to work-based or real-world scenarios in the field of
Advancement and resource mobilisation.

Introduction to Advancement Research for Advancement (Credits 15)

(Credits 10) This module aims to develop an appreciation of the
This module introduces the development of role of research in thinking dynamically and reflecting
advancement practices over the decades, critically on advancement practices and principles.
to illustrate the contextual considerations It also provides the foundation for students to start
in managing advancement practices in developing their own case studies, research reports
the 21st Century. Particular emphasis and articles that can contribute to the creation
will be on reflecting on advancement and and dissemination of knowledge in the area of
resource mobilisation in the African context Advancement and Resource mobilisation in the local
and on the essence of advancement context.
as a profession in this context. The
relationship of different schools of ethics Advancement Leadership and Stakeholder
to Advancement will also be explored. Relations (Credits 10)
The aim of this module is to develop within learners
Advancement Practice (Credits 30) a valid conceptual understanding of effective and
responsible leadership and stakeholder management
This module provides the key knowledge
in relation to the field of Advancement. Theories and
and understanding needed for non-
models pertaining to leadership will be explored
commercial organisations to effectively
with particular reference to their applicability to
manage their fundraising process
Advancement and resource mobilisation on the
and opportunities. Working within an
African continent. The module will also aim to develop
Advancement framework, the module aims
a framework for external stakeholder engagement
to create a fundamental shift in thinking
and mapping.
around organisational and institutional
mission, objectives and delivery – and how Responsibility and Accountability
to attract the donor resources in support of in Advancement (Credits 20)
this. This module is designed to strengthen
This module aims to develop an appreciation of the
the capacity of participants to increase
role of governance and benchmarking in advancement
their organisation/institution’s potential for
practices and principles. It also provides the
long-term financial sustainability. There
foundation for students to understand proper legal
is a strong focus on the relationship
requirements, financial management, monitoring and
management aspect of fundraising,
evaluation practices, maintenance of stakeholder
instead of the transaction. This module
relations and sustainability considerations for
also explores issues around strategy and
improved advancement practices.
leadership as well as the relationship
building blocks of identification, cultivation,
solicitation and stewardship.

Mode of delivery: Teaching will be a combination of face to face and virtual mode.
Year 1: Teaching Block 1: In attendance at Rhodes University - February / March (Starts on Friday 2pm and ends following
Saturday 6pm). Virtual Classes for the year until November - 25 hours a Month.

Year 2:
Teaching Block 2: In attendance at Rhodes University - February / March (Starts on Friday 2pm and ends following Saturday 6pm).
Virtual Classes for the years until July; Capstone project submission end of October - 25 hours a Month.
Eligibility
Applicants should:
• Have at least an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s degree (at NQF Exit level 7)
• Be proficient in English.
• Be computer literate. The distribution of learning material, instructions for activities and tasks,
submission of tests and/or assignments and various other activities related to the Programme
take place on the University’s on-line Learning Management System. Therefore, it is advisable
that prospective students have access to a computer and internet connectivity and be proficient
in the use of both.
• This qualification demands a high level of intellectual independence and sufficient theoretical
engagement, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in order to undertake
professional or high-skilled work. A sustained research project is not required, but the qualification
includes conducting and reporting a capstone project under supervision.
Under exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not meet the above criteria may be considered
for acceptance on the basis of their “prior learning” by taking into consideration their work experience,
age, seniority, number of tertiary level courses attended, etc. Each candidate will be considered
on their own merits. In cases where applicants do not have a NQF7 qualification, application for
admission under RPL (10% of class may be permitted), where a detailed Portfolio of Evidence (POE)
documenting inter alia relevant experience in the field, prior learning and seniority will be required.
Application Procedure
Applications are submitted online at https://ross.ru.ac.za/. Please visit our website at www.ru.ac.za/
businessschool to access the relevant application forms as outlined below.
To process your application, we need:
• A completed application form
• CV
• Certified copy of ID / Passport
• A certified copy of all degree certificates.
• Certified copy of your transcript of results in English (this should include your conduct record
as “Satisfactory” – if it does not you will need to get a formal letter from your undergraduate
university that states your conduct rating).
• Please refer to the Rhodes Business School website for guidance with regard to application and
programme fees relevant to the year you are applying for, and the payment process thereof.
Candidates who, on the basis of their application, appear to meet the eligibility criteria and have
provided all the necessary documentation as stated above, will be informed of the status of their
application via email.
Fee:
ZAR 25, 000 in Year 1, ZAR 26, 500 in Year 2 (Total = ZAR 51,500). International
students are required to pay the yearly fee in full prior to registration.

For more information contact: Rhodes Business School

Ms Aviwe Petsha
@RhodesBusiness
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 7363
Fax: +27 (0) 46 603 8613 RhodesBusinessSchool
Email: [email protected]