Local Government Courses
Do you want to work for your local municipality? Then consider studying a local government course.
Local government courses focus on public administration at the local (or municipal) level of government. Therefore, when you study a local government course, you will be introduced to various topics surrounding municipal administration.
What is local government?
Local governments, or municipalities, obtain their powers through decentralisation from the central government, and are often made responsible for administration in relation to town planning, local health care, refuse collection, provision of recreational facilities, supply of water and electricity, and regulation of traffic. In South Africa, local governments may pass by-laws relating to the matters over which they have jurisdiction, provided that these by-laws do not conflict with the national or provincial laws and regulations.
Where can I study local government courses?
You can study local government courses at various academic institutions around the country. At Oxbridge Academy, an accredited private college, you can study the following government and public administration courses from home via distance learning:
Short Learning Programmes
These non-credit-bearing skills development courses introduce you to the public sector, and equip you with some of the fundamental knowledge and skills you need to work in this sector.
- Oxbridge Academy Short Course: Governance
- Oxbridge Academy Skills Certificate: Municipal Management
- Oxbridge Academy Skills Certificate: Municipal Management (Public Administration)
- Oxbridge Academy Skills Certificate: Principles of Public Management
- Oxbridge Academy Skills Certificate: Public Management
National Qualifications (N4 – N6)
These N4 – N6 courses lead to formal qualifications that are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). By studying an N4 – N6 course, you can acquire the knowledge and develop the skills you need to work in various departments within the public sector.
- National Certificate: N4 Public Management (SAQA ID 66875)
- National Certificate: N5 Public Management (SAQA ID 66955)
- National Certificate: N6 Public Management (SAQA ID 67000)
Public Management – Accounting
- National Certificate: N4 Public Management (Accounting) (SAQA ID 66875)
- National Certificate: N5 Public Management (Accounting) (SAQA ID 66955)
- National Certificate: N6 Public Management (Accounting) (SAQA ID 67000)
Management Assistant – Public Administration
- National Certificate: N4 Management Assistant (Public Administration) (SAQA ID 66876)
- National Certificate: N5 Management Assistant (Public Administration) (SAQA ID 66956)
- National Certificate: N6 Management Assistant (Public Administration) (SAQA ID 67001)
To find out more about studying one of these courses:
Fill in the form on this page, and a Student Advisor will be in touch with you.
What will I learn when I study a local government course?
When you study a local government course, you will learn about a wide range of topics relating to public administration and management at the municipal level, including:
- Important concepts relating to local government.
- Different modes of local government.
- Public finance administration in the sphere of local government
- The history and evolution of local government.
- The composition and structure of local government.
- The duties, powers and functions of local government.
- The Constitution and local government.
What will I be able to do once I’ve studied a local government course?
Once you’ve studied a local government course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills that you need to work in the field of municipal administration. The type of work that you will be able to do will depend on various factors, including the nature of the course that you completed, your skills and personal characteristics, and your level of experience.
Here are some examples of the jobs that are available in the local government sector:
- Administrative Officer
- Committee Secretary
- District Manager
- Environmental Officer
- Field Technician – Health
- Housing Officer
- Manager – Finance
- Operations Officer
- Research Officer