Foundation for Professional Development (Pty) Ltd

University profile

About Foundation for Professional Development (Pty) Ltd

The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) is a private higher education institution and non-profit organisation with its head office at FPD Knowledge Park, 173 Mary Road, The Willows, Pretoria. It was established in 1997 by the South African Medical Association, initially to build the skills of health professionals, and later widened its work to education, management and health systems strengthening. Its stated vision is to build a better society through education and capacity development.

FPD teaches through blended, contact, distance and fully online delivery rather than a traditional residential campus. Its academic offering is organised through a Business School, School of Health Sciences, School of Education, School of Nursing, an Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness School and a School of Information Technology. Graduate programmes include Higher Certificates in Management, Practice Management and Early Childhood Care and Education, Advanced Certificates in Management, Monitoring and Evaluation and Health Management, and Postgraduate Diplomas in Distance Higher Education, General Practice, Health Professions Education and Leadership, and Monitoring and Evaluation, alongside a large catalogue of short learning programmes with CPD points for health and other professionals.

Online programmes are 100% remote, run in eight-week modules (seven weeks of study and a one-week break) with six start dates a year, and fees are paid per module. FPD also hosts conferences and webinars such as the African Nursing Conference, the SA Mental Health Conference and the SA AIDS Conference, and delivers education development, monitoring, learning and evaluation services, and health systems strengthening projects with governments and donors.

FPD reports more than 600,000 alumni from over 110 countries, with 589,263 enrolled students recorded since 1998. International applicants are admitted on certified passport copies and SAQA verification of foreign qualifications. FPD's Alumni Network offers newsletters, free or sponsored courses and discounts.

FPD is registered as a private higher education institution under Section 54(1)(c) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Registration Certificate No. 2002/HE07/013). Its qualifications are accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education and registered on the NQF by SAQA, and it is accredited by the QCTO as a Skills Development Provider (07-QCTO/SDP180825105627).

University information

FPD Scholarship Fund for school leavers

FPD runs an alumni and donor-supported scholarship programme that funds school leavers to study the Higher Certificate in Management (NQF 5), delivered through e-learning at a stated cost of R15 000 per student. The fund targeted R1 500 000 to provide 100 scholarships. Details are on the Alumni Network page.

Entry requirements by level

Higher Certificate: a National Senior Certificate with at least 30% in English (the language of learning and teaching), or an NCV Level 4, with subjects appropriate to the programme. For online Higher Certificates a Grade 12 NSC or relevant NQF Level 4 qualification is required.
Advanced Certificate: a Higher Certificate in a related field of study.
Advanced Diploma: a relevant three-year diploma (NQF 6) or an appropriate bachelor's degree.
Postgraduate Diploma: an appropriate bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice requires a medical qualification (MBChB or equivalent).
Master's degree: a relevant Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma, and for the Master of Public Health a relevant NQF 8 bachelor's, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma. Public health work experience is considered with a three-year bachelor's degree, and the Academic Executive may admit candidates through RPL.

Recognition of Prior Learning and credit transfer

Applicants may apply for RPL for access or for credit, and for Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT). RPL evidence includes reference letters from employers, a portfolio of evidence, a full CV and, where relevant, research project evidence. CAT needs certified transcripts and a study guide at the same NQF level.

International applicants

Certified copy of the passport and SAQA and Universities South Africa (USAf) verification of foreign qualifications are required. Health professionals provide proof of HPCSA or equivalent registration where applicable.

How to apply

Submit the completed application form, certified ID or passport, certified Matric/Senior Certificate and post-matric qualifications as proof of entry, and proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee. Online programmes are applied for at the online application portal, with documents uploaded. Once accepted, the fee for the first module is paid before the learning platform opens. The Higher Certificate in Management costs R27,912 (2026 fees, 120 credits). Students need a laptop or PC, a stable internet connection and basic computer skills. Applications close on set dates before each intake, and applications for the intake starting 26 October 2026 close on 21 October 2026.

Head office, FPD Knowledge Park, 173 Mary Road, The Willows, Pretoria: administration and academic management.
Research Unit, East London (Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape): research offices and FPD-managed research infrastructure in healthcare facilities across the district.
Ndevana Clinical Research Site, Ndevana community, about 45 km from East London: opened in 2021 with a laboratory, pharmacy, clinical consulting and counselling rooms, reception and waiting area, data storage, boardroom and offices, two back-up generators, water tanks, an alarm system and 24-hour security.
Online and blended delivery: programmes are taught through classroom, distance and e-learning formats, and online programmes are delivered fully remotely.

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Foundation for Professional Development (Pty) Ltd