Free Online Courses for Public Servants!

Kholofelo Modise22 July , 2025

If you’re a South African public servant, intern, or aspiring government employee, you know how vital continuous learning is—especially in a competitive and evolving work environment. But training can be expensive, time-consuming, or difficult to access. That’s where the National School of Government (NSG) steps in. Their NSG Open e-Learning platform offers over a dozen free, online, government-accredited courses that you can complete at your own pace.

This guide will help you discover what’s available, how to register, and how to use these courses to boost your career in the public sector.

What Is the National School of Government (NSG)?

The NSG is a South African government institution under the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). Its purpose is to build a professional, capable, and ethical public service through high-quality training and skills development.

The NSG’s Open e-Learning platform was launched to make skills development more accessible, especially in the wake of limited in-person training options. These courses are aligned with South Africa’s public service standards, Batho Pele principles, and the Constitution.

Who Are These Free Courses For?

These courses are available to:

Permanent public servants at national, provincial, or municipal levels
Interns, graduates, and contract workers in the public sector
Aspiring government employees looking to improve their CVs
Community development workers, admin clerks, policy officers, and supervisors

No formal qualification is needed to enrol in most courses.

Benefits of NSG Open Learning Courses

Free and accredited – No tuition fees; earn credible certificates
Online and self-paced – Learn on your own schedule
Career-enhancing – Gain skills that align with promotion criteria
HRD-approved – Courses count towards performance development plans
Relevant to SA context – Based on local legislation and service principles

Step-by-Step: How to Register for NSG Courses

1: Visit the NSG Open Learning Portal

Go to: https://study.mynsg.thensg.gov.za

2: Create Your Account

Click “Register” and complete your personal details
Use your official email address if you work for government

3: Browse the Course Catalogue

Navigate to “Courses”
Explore by theme: Ethics, HR, Finance, etc.

4: Enrol in a Course

Select a course and click “Enrol Me”
Start learning immediately or download material for offline use

Tip: Use a laptop or tablet for a better learning experience.

Full List of NSG Free Online Courses (2024–2025)

Here’s the complete list of open, self-paced e-learning courses offered by the NSG:

Writing and Communication

PD102 – Writing for Government: Basic Writing Skills
IP344 – Writing for Government: Advanced Writing Skills

Ethics and Governance

Ethics in the Public Service (Compulsory)
Ethics for Internal Auditors
PM228 – Know and Live Our Constitution
LM4107 – Rights and Justice in Africa: Exploring the African Charter

Human Resource Management and Leadership

PM227 – Introduction to Strategic Human Resources Management
HR251 – Managing Performance in the Public Service
HR252 – Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and Ill-health Retirement (PILIR)
Introduction to Leading Change
Personal Mastery and Self-Leadership

Finance and Operations

FI363 – Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA)
GRAP – Generally Recognised Accounting Practice
Introduction to Financial Management and Budgeting
WO480 – Operations Management Framework

Strategy and Planning

LM325 – Introduction to Strategic Planning and Management
Compulsory Induction Programme (CIP)
Breaking Barriers to Entry (BB2E)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are these certificates officially recognised?
A: Yes. All NSG certificates are issued by a government institution and are useful for promotions, PDPs, and job applications.

Q: Can I take more than one course?
A: Absolutely. There’s no limit to how many you can enrol in.

Q: Is there a deadline to register?
A: No. Courses are self-paced and available year-round unless stated otherwise.

Q: Do I need prior experience?
A: No. Most courses are beginner-friendly and explain key public service concepts clearly.

Real Success Story: “From Intern to Permanent Post”

Sipho M., a 26-year-old intern in a Gauteng government department, used his downtime to complete four NSG courses including Writing for Government and Managing Performance. Within six months, he used these certificates to strengthen his CV and successfully applied for a permanent admin position.

“These courses showed I was serious about my future,” he said. “Plus, I felt more confident going into interviews.”

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With the NSG’s Open e-Learning courses, you don’t need to wait for a workshop or expensive training. Whether you’re new to government or aiming for the next promotion, these free, credible, and accessible courses can help you grow your public service career—right from your phone or laptop.