The programme is structured to ensure that students, whom are all senior internal auditors, will be able to meet the requirements and expectations of the programme with minimal interruptions to their workplace responsibilities. During the first semester, students will attend two block sessions. The first contact session will be at the University of Pretoria, focussing on internal auditing and industry-specific knowledge, while the second will be at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), focussing on corporate governance and risk management. Various local and international guest speakers and lecturers from industry will address the students and the message is clear: Internal auditing needs to get involved in the strategic decisions and performance of the organisation.

Feedback from the students so far is that the programme sets high standards, but they enjoyed the sessions, interactions with peers, and the fact that critical thinking is stimulated in the process. One of the students made the following remarks:

“Based on the first seminar lectures, my view of the MPhil Internal Auditing degree is that it helps one to gain practical and theoretical knowledge in governance, strategy and risk management. The exposure so far has encouraged me to engage more deeply with my organisation, as I see myself beyond being just a Chief Audit Executive, but sitting at the boardroom table with other board members. The curriculum covers contemporary management topics and issues, providing one with a unique opportunity to develop research and critical thinking skills through disciplined self-reflection. One also gets a valuable opportunity to network with fellow audit executives from across the country and beyond.”

The practical and theoretical knowledge gained will, for the remaining of the semester, be tested by means of research and practical assignments. The rest of the programme will address topics such as IT auditing, financial management, strategic and project management, forensic and performance auditing, business communication, organisation behaviour and research methodology.

The next intake for studies commencing 2015 will take place in 2014, with the closing date being 31 July 2014.