Advanced Diploma in Business Studies

Purpose

The qualification aims to provide learners with a focused, systematic and specialised understanding of current theory and practice in selected subfields of Business Administration, Management and Operations. The qualification also aims to prepare learners both academically and professionally in the selected fields to manage business establishments successfully through appropriate planning, organising, directing and controlling the functions and processes of such establishments taking full cognisance of corporate social responsibility including ethical considerations.

As a secondary purpose the qualification will also prepare learners for postgraduate study and provide an articulation route to a relevant Postgraduate Diploma or, in exceptional cases, a Bachelor of Honours degree at NQF Exit Level 8.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma in Business Studies will replace a range of Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Degrees in the field of Business Administration and Management. The phasing out of the BTech Degrees and their replacement by Advanced Diplomas were initiated by the restructuring of the HEQSF. The new Advanced Diploma in Business Studies builds on a number of individual diplomas offered by the Faculty, and will provide learners with a generic core of business studies-related modules, together with specialisation streams in Business Management, Marketing Management, Logistics Management, Tourism Management, Human Resource Management and Financial Planning and Services. It is a one-year NQF Exit Level 7 qualification, with the primary purpose of providing diplomates and certain categories of graduates with a focused, systematic and specialised understanding of current theory and practice in the main and selected fields of Business, Economics and Management Studies.

In line with the vision and mission of the Institution and the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, the Advanced Diploma in Business Studies with specialisation streams in Business Management, Marketing Management, Logistics Management, Tourism Management, Human Resource Management and Financial Planning and Services will further diversify the range of quality educational opportunities that prospective learners will be able to choose from at our institution. Business managers and entrepreneurs with these competences and skills will be in great demand not only in our region, but also nationally as they will make a critical contribution to sustainable business activity and job creation, as entrepreneurs.

Additionally this qualification will prepare learners for postgraduate study and provide an articulation route to a cognate Postgraduate Diploma or, in exceptional cases, a Bachelor Honours Degree at NQF Exit Level 8.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL. The Faculty policy, derived from the institutional policy, requires that each applicant be assessed on an individual basis. The applicant will approach the Head of Department of the relevant specialisation regarding the Faculty RPL policy and process. The Head of Department (HOD) will advise the candidate whether or not the RLP process is an option. Applicants who qualify to pursue this option will complete the standard application form upon which the HOD will nominate an assessor to be approved by the FMC. The appointed assessor will meet with the applicant to explain the RPL assessment process, the specific assessment criteria and the type and format of evidence(s) required. The HOD will verify that quality assurance requirements have been met.

The outcome of the RPL process, including written reports by the assessor and a recommendation regarding status recognition and admission to the respective specialisation stream will be documented by the HOD concerned and the final decision regarding the RPL status of the applicant will be presented to the FMC. The FMC secretary will communicate the FMC decision to the Faculty Officer, who in turn will communicate the outcome to the applicant. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised on alternative options available to them.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who wish to enrol for the qualification must be in possession of either

• A relevant 360 Credits Diploma.

Or

• Bachelor qualification with a mark of at least 60% obtained in the relevant majors of the previous qualification.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules and elective modules, each worth 15 Credits at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Strategic Management.
• Financial Management.
• Principles of Corporate Citizenship.
• Business Research Principles.

Elective modules (Select four modules)

• Quantitative Management Practice.
• Employment Relations.
• Quantitative Merchandising Practice.
• Management Project.
• Strategic Marketing.
• Services Marketing.
• Employment Relations.
• Marketing Management Project.
• Logistics Management.
• Maritime Logistics.
• Project Management for Logisticians.
• Logistics Management Project.
• Sustainable Tourism.
• Business Tourism.
• Rural Tourism.
• Tourism Management Project.
• Human Resource Management.
• Employment Relations.
• Organisational Change and Renewal.
• HR Management Project.
• Principles of Financial Planning and Services.
• Financial Planning for Individuals.
• Corporate Financial Planning.
• Financial Planning and Services Project.

1. Integrate and apply the latest advances in strategic, operational and financial management theory, principles, concepts, practices and techniques as embodied in any one of the following specialised, elective fields: Management Practice, Marketing Management, Logistics Management, Tourism Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Planning and Services.
2. Manage a business establishment through the application of appropriate strategic, operational and financial management and leadership principles and practices with full cognisance of corporate social responsibility, including ethical and environmental considerations.
3. Plan, manage and conclude research activities by applying relevant business research principles and analytical techniques, and presenting findings and conclusions coherently and reliably using appropriate academic and professional discourse conventions.
4. Use information technology and apply its methods, skills and tools in a professional and accountable manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Level-appropriate competence is demonstrated by identifying, contextualising, analysing and addressing typical challenges faced regularly by middle and senior level business managers in the identified fields, applying knowledge of relevant theories, principles, concepts, practices and techniques.
• Options and strategies are evaluated and well-motivated solutions are recommended.
• Critical awareness of various schools of thought that result in different perspectives and approaches to dealing with typical managerial issues, such as individual business decisions, applications, strategies and ethical considerations, is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The relationship that exists between the internal workings of a business and the surrounding environment, including key factors such as leadership and corporate agility, programme, performance and partner synergy, as well as the integration of ethical, social and environmental measures vital to the successful functioning of any business, will be described.
• The level of commitment required by a business manager in the pursuit of business goals and objectives is defined by relating it to the programmes and products, staff development, motivation, wellness and training, resources, information management, monitoring of progress and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Key business strategies are linked with key business processes and relevant resources are aligned with the purpose of improving overall performance with specific reference to financial, market and business indicators.
• The perceptions of stakeholders of particular business establishments are analysed with a view to identifying causes of stakeholder concerns and building positive customer/client relationships.
• Instances of visionary and inspirational leadership are identified and linked to the associated values, strategies, systems and methods of corporate social responsibility for achieving excellence and innovation.
• Functional management, operational and financial decisions, based on relevant data, are made both independently and as a member of a team and the impact of such decisions on other aspects or areas of the business are determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Pertinent business-related research problems, questions or issues are identified and succinctly formulated.
• Literature searches are conducted in order to contextualise and frame the research problem, question or issue and frame the area of investigation.
• A theoretical framework for the research design is developed and the most suitable method of investigation determined.
• The relevant data are collected, analysed, processed and interpreted, making use of appropriate data gathering techniques, appropriate software and analytical tools.
• A research report is prepared and presented with findings, conclusions and recommendations that meet the requirements of a scientific document and academic style.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Information technology and its methods, practices, tools commonly associated with Business Administration and Management are used to access, process, manage and store information to enhance own and team productivity.
• Relevant computer hardware and software packages are used for computation, communication and the manipulation of information, with due consideration of the application possibilities and limitations of such packages and tools and the need for verification of final results.
• Results and statistics obtained by technological and other means are accurately processed and interpreted.
• Information is effectively and timeously distributed to other team members involved in the business.
• Competence is maintained by staying abreast of the latest developments in business methods, practices, tools and information technology (the principle of life-long learning).
• The impact of single deterministic and multiple deterministic variables on dependant variables is determined.
• Diagnostic tests for business viability are conducted and the results coherently and accurately presented.

Integrated Assessment

The method of assessment may vary according to the module purpose, its subject matter and the teaching and learning approach adopted. Some modules are theoretically oriented; others require a more practical, hands-on approach. This will be reflected in the assessment procedures.

The assessment tasks will require learners to demonstrate the ability to

• Identify, collect and integrate information effectively.
• Identify and analyse complex, rapidly changing situations.
• Present information in a range of oral and written modes appropriate to audience and task.
• Reflect on and evaluate their own and others' performances.
• Apply what they have learned to analyse a specific professional business environment and recommend changes as required.
• Work together as part of a team to collect information and develop strategies and approaches to address specific problems.

Formative assessment will be based on a mixture of assignments during the semester, ranging from informal and formal presentations to informal tests and progress checks during contact sessions. The outcomes of these assessments will be used to provide feedback to learners and lecturers in order to facilitate improved learning.

The outcomes of the formal assignments and tests will contribute to a cumulative class mark as per pre-arrangement with the learners. In the formal assignments and tests, and in the respective semester examinations (summative assessment) learners will have to demonstrate the ability to communicate and integrate knowledge of the key issues, highlighted in the respective modules, and identify and resolve typical problems in the subfields as indicated. This will require critical and creative thinking as well as the ability to make practical applications of the learning outcomes as indicated in the module descriptors.

In order to gain much needed practical experience as business managers, learners will be required to spend time simulating typical day-to-day managerial tasks and duties required of business managers. In addition, level-appropriate research projects, which may include field work, in each specialisation will be purposefully assigned, organised and monitored by lecturers based on the module learning outcomes.

The assessment topics and tasks, their format and criteria, including the requirements of portfolios of evidence where relevant (as in the case of continuous assessment), will be set out in the learner module guides made available at the beginning of each semester.