Bachelor of Business Administration

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Business Administration is to provide knowledge and skills in general management, which will enable learners to realise their potential and progress in their careers in a management environment across all sectors. The qualification is structured in such a way that it provides individuals with a set of core management competencies, which are augmented through specific electives. Upon successful completion of the qualification, learners could pursue postgraduate studies, including the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) further intends to equip learners with management and leadership skills and knowledge so that they can make a positive difference on a personal and organisational level. Because many of the learners interested in the qualification may not have had much formal work experience, the BBA will prepare them for formal employment or self-employment. When these needs are addressed, this qualification will contribute to fostering their management and leadership potential.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) qualification has been developed for people who need to know how business organisations function, through an in-depth investigation of key general management functions and an interrogation of what it takes to manage such functions.

The intended outcome of this qualification is the development of general business managers who are equipped with the relevant management skills to perform their roles and responsibilities more effectively, and to create career progression and entry opportunities for graduates. This qualification will enable individuals who are new to the business environment as well as those who have been working for some time in businesses to move into general management. It offers career opportunities for learners by broadening their understanding of local and international general business administration and management practices, so they are able to generate and implement integrated plans, and make decisions based on a holistic understanding of organisational structure, systems, culture and strategy. In the context of the high demand for managerial skills and knowledge of the systemic interrelatedness of organisational functions, this qualification directly addresses the management needs of the economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A small number (maximum 10%) of applicants may be considered for admission to this qualification based on the learning acquired through work experience and the recognition of prior learning (RPL) as outlined in the process below, in line with Institutional RPL Policy. RPL would be appropriate to the level and context of the assessment. At least three sources of documentation are used as evidence in the process of recognising competence, for example:

• Evidence from formal learning: certificates, course outcomes, academic transcripts.
• Statements of results, reports, and relevant documents.
• Evidence from informal learning: job descriptions, employment contracts.
• Statements from employers.
• Formal assessments inter-alia, assessment tests, case study analysis, interviews etc.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5: 120 Credits.

• Human Resource Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Business Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management 1, 20 Credits.
• Information and Communication Technology 1, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management 1, 20 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6: 120 Credits

• Strategic Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management 2, 20 Credits.
• Information and Communication Technology 2, 20 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7: 120 Credits (Select two 40 Credits Modules and two 20 Credits Modules)

• Human Resource Management 3, 40 Credits.
• Financial Management 3, 40 Credits.
• Marketing Management 3, 40 Credits.
• Project Management 3, 40 Credits.
• Strategic Management 3, 40 Credits.
• Change Management, 20 Credits.
• Economics, 20 Credits.
• Negotiation and Conflict Management, 20 Credits.
• Quality and Customer Service Management, 20 Credits.

1. Develop a strategic plan using relevant strategic management theories and models.
2. Develop and implement a strategy to resolve conflicts and negotiate effectively within the work environment.
3. Understand the fundamentals of micro and macroeconomics and the effects on decision making by companies and governments.
4. Apply problem analysis tools to improve quality and customer relations.
5. Interpret financial statements in order to make informed financial management decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Strategic management concepts and principles are reviewed.
• A strategic plan is developed.
• Strategic plans are evaluated.
• Organisational strategy is reviewed in line with environmental dynamics.
• The different strategic management theories and models are compared.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Negotiation and conflict terminology and concepts are explained.
• The main sources of conflict within the work environment are identified and described.
• Appropriate techniques to manage conflict within the work environment are assessed.
• A strategy to resolve conflict within the work environment is developed and implemented.
• Negotiations at an organisational level are prepared, conducted, concluded and evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The relationships between demand, supply and market equilibrium are analysed.
• The relationships between production and cost are shown.
• The advantages and disadvantages of competition are listed.
• The concept of labour market is analysed.
• An understanding of macroeconomics is demonstrated.
• A distinction between fiscal and monetary policy is made.
• Key macroeconomic terms and indicators are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Problem analysis tools are applied to improve quality and customer relations.
• A discussion on how employee attitudes and behaviour impact customer service is conducted.
• A stakeholder analysis to identify and manage stakeholders appropriately is conducted.
• The philosophy and principles of quality management and customer relations management are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• A distinction between the different forms of financing available to a business is made.
• Working capital management is understood and applied.
• The importance of working capital management is discussed.
• Knowledge of cost-volume-profit analysis is displayed.
• Mergers, divestitures and business failure are explained.
• The elements of foreign trade are described.
• International managerial finance is understood.

Integrated Assessment

The objective of integrated assessment in the BBA qualification is to assess whether the learners have acquired the necessary general management skills to effectively manage a business. Assignments in the form of case studies and organisation-specific projects, where the different module outcomes are assessed in an integrated manner will be used. The purpose of the assessment is to measure applied competence. In other words, it assesses whether learners are able to integrate the knowledge gained from the various management modules to perform general managerial functions competently (practical competence), understand the theoretical basis for these actions (foundational competence), and reflect on and make changes to general managerial practices (reflexive competence).