Bachelor of Business Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Business Administration qualification is to produce well-rounded learners with a broad knowledge base, with the principles, theory and methodology of the disciplines associated with the ever-changing business environment. The qualification will allow learners to embark on a journey to build foundational knowledge in business management and be exposed to the practical application or formalizing of their skill sets, which will enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic and professional context. This qualification targets learners in the private and public sectors - and allows them to manage people, resources, and processes in accordance with the strategic imperatives of the organization.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Operate responsibly and ethically in a business environment with consideration of cultural diversity and social challenges.
• Apply the tools and techniques needed to manage the functional areas of a business to ensure business success.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, decision-making and scenario-planning skills in solving business challenges.
• Apply new ways of thinking in arriving at new products, processes, and services to uncover sustainable opportunities for organisations.

Rationale

This qualification meets the needs of multiple sectors in several ways, it prepares learners with the appropriate skills to be employed in business and public management roles, including management and leadership positions. This qualification will provide industry and public entities with learners who have adaptable and relevant skills for operating in a volatile uncertain complex ambiguous (VUCA) world and are customer and service-oriented, learners will demonstrate the ability to use their skills and knowledge in the functional areas of any entity (private or public) towards enhancing the operability and success of organisations.

This qualification is aimed at individuals working in business or public management already, those who want to access the business world for the first time, and existing and aspirational entrepreneurs, the qualification will give learners an opportunity to pivot their business careers and contribute to South Africa's economy, in general. Learners will be able to pursue the following possible roles after completion of this qualification:

• General manager (in a private or public entity),
• Entrepreneur, owner-manager of a small business.
• Team leader.
• Senior administrator.
• Marketing manager.
• Human resource manager.
• Supply chain specialist.

The institution has evaluated its qualification offerings and has decided that a more current Bachelor of Business Administration qualification is needed, given the vast and rapid changes happening in business, government and society, in South Africa, and globally. This is therefore a replacement qualification.

Learners will have a positive influence on addressing the unemployment challenges in the country, as well. Lastly, with this new qualification which is offered in both the blended contact and online distance formats, the institution will widen access by replacing the previous traditional distance learning for working adults only qualification. Additionally, learners have the option of choosing from four majors. Over time more majors may be added that are relevant to the qualification outcomes.

This qualification offers numerous articulation pathways that facilitate learners in progressing through their academic pursuits, including the Higher Certificate in Management, Diploma in Management, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Honours, Masters in Management, and Doctorate in Management. Learners will have access to the qualification either through their National Senior Certificate or through a completed Higher Certificate, Advanced Certificate or Diploma.

The qualification will offer several advantages, primarily by enhancing access to middle management jobs in both the South African and global economies. Additionally, the qualification will assist in addressing the unemployment challenges in the country. Learners will be able to contribute ethically and towards making social change.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access

• The institution admits a maximum of 10% per cohort via RPL. The implementation of RPL is context-specific in terms of discipline, programme and level.
• The implementation of RPL is context-specific, in terms of discipline, programme and level. Procedures and forms are available from the School Administration.

RPL for exemption

In specified circumstances, qualifying applicants may also engage in the RPL for exemption process, where any form of informal, formal or non-formal learning will be assessed for relevance towards possible module exemption.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC), NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor degree studies

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor degree studies

Or

• Higher Certificate in a cognate field, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Advanced Certificate in cognate field, NQF Level 5.

Or

• Diploma in the field of commerce or management, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

General Stream

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 100 Credits.

• Induction to Higher Education, 10 Credits.
• Accounting I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 20 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Economics I for Managers, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 140 Credits

• Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits.
• Economics II for Managers, 20 Credits.
• Management II, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management I, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Leadership, 20 Credits.
• People and Change, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
• Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 20 Credits.
• Business Report, 25 Credits.
• Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits.

Specialisation (Supply Chain Management)

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 100 Credits

• Induction to Higher Education, 10 Credits.
• Accounting I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 20 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Economics I for Managers, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 60 Credits

• Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits.
• Economics II for Managers, 20 Credits.
• Logistics Management I 20 Credits.

Electives Modules, NQF Level 6, 20 Credits (choose one module)

• Marketing Management I, 20 Credits.
• Risk Management, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 6, 60 Credits

• Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Logistics Management II, 20 Credits.
• People and Change, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Logistics Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Logistics Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Business Report, 25 Credits.
• Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits.

Specialisation (Marketing Management)

Compulsory modules NQF Level 5, 100 Credits,

• Induction to Higher Education, 10 Credits.
• Accounting I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 20 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Economics I for Managers, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 6, 140 Credits

• Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits.
• Economics II for Managers, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management I, 20 Credits.
• Risk Management, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management (20 Credits.
• Marketing Management II, 20 Credits.
• People and Change, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Marketing Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Marketing Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Business Report, 25 Credits.
• Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits.

Specialisation (Human Resource Management)

Compulsory modules NQF Level 5, 100 Credits

• Induction to Higher Education, 10 Credits.
• Accounting I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 20 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Economics I for Managers, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 6, 140 Credits

• Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits.
• Economics II for Managers, 20 Credits.
• Human Resource Management I, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management I, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Human Resource Management II, 20 Credits.
• People and Change, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Human Resource Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Human Resource Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Business Report, 25 Credits.
• Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits.

Specialisation (Public Sector Management)

Compulsory modules NQF Level 5, 100 Credits

• Induction to Higher Education, 10 Credits.
• Accounting I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 20 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Public Sector Economics, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 6, 140 Credits

• Business Law and Compliance, 20 Credits.
• Development Economics, 20 Credits.
• Public Sector Management I, 20 Credits.
• Risk Management, 20 Credits.
• Public Sector Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Public Sector Management II, 20 Credits.
• People and Change, 20 Credits.

Compulsory modules NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Public Sector Management IIIA, 20 Credits.
• Technology and Innovation Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Research, 15 Credits.
• Public Sector Management IIIB, 20 Credits.
• Business Report, 25 Credits.
• Future Thinking and Scenario Planning, 20 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Demonstrate the ability to operate responsibly and ethically in a business environment with consideration of cultural diversity and social challenges.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the tools and techniques needed to manage the functional areas of a business to ensure business success.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking, decision-making and scenario planning skills in solving business challenges.
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply new ways of thinking in arriving at new products, processes, and services to uncover sustainable opportunities for organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Evaluate and reflect on what it takes to operate as a responsible and ethical leader in business.
• Recognise key legal concepts and understand how to apply them in a commercial environment.
• Critically debate different ethical approaches in business.
• Evaluate how social challenges in South Africa affect businesses.
• Design cultural diversity approaches that can act as positive drivers for business success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply fundamental business principles to real-world problems.
• Critically evaluate and suggest solutions for complex challenges within different business areas.
• Adopt a persuasive professional communication style to support business arguments and positions.
• Employ suitable Information Technology tools to process, analyse and present information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify, analyse, and apply planning and decision aids using theory-driven methods.
• Effectively coordinate, strategic decision-making for sustainable growth and success of the business.
• Skillfully apply business principles in a complex business environment, ensuring efficient resource allocation

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply creative problem-solving techniques in innovating for and in a business.
• Design longterm sustainable solutions to business challenges and problems.
• Apply creative techniques in resolving business challenges.
• Create new products and processes that will create greater value and contribute to the sustainability of the organisation.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment is integrated and learners complete a series of assessments throughout the year. This includes internal and external moderation, as per the institution's policy.

Formative assessment

Formal and informal assessments are used to monitor learners' progress against learning outcomes. For this qualification, the institution will set an assessment strategy that will assist in preparing learners for the world of work.

The assessment strategy will make provision for open book, simulations as well as collaborative assessments. Moreover, the combination of different assessment types will change over the course of the qualification, with more complex assessment tasks as learners progress through the qualification.

In Year 1 of the qualification, a foundation will be laid in terms of theoretical principles and their application in the workplace as well as self-reflection assessments, for example for modules like Induction to Higher Education. Simulation assessments can be used for modules like business management and business communication.

Learners will be assessed through case study-type assessments, in line with fostering higher-order thinking. In addition to this, modules like Risk Management will be assessed with a simulation. Finally.

Summative assessment

Summative assessments may include

• Business proposal reports.
• Presentations,
• Projects for modules like Technology and Innovation Management as well as Future Thinking and Scenario Planning.