Bachelor of Commerce

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with a good academic grounding in the major subject areas of commerce and with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attitudes to respond to the need for effective management of public and private business enterprises. Furthermore, The Bachelor of Commerce is designed to equip learners with the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills that will enable them to effectively identify issues, source information and find efficient and practical solutions.

At the end of this qualification, a learner will be able to

• Effectively manage resources at their disposal according to contemporary economic, business management and technological trends.
• Carry out research with a view to finding solutions to contemporary problems affecting business development at various scales.
• Appreciate complex relationship between the national economy and global economic trends.
• Have acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes for pursuing further studies in Commerce.

The curriculum provides for specialisation up to third year level in two or more of any of the following fields: Accounting, Economics, Management, Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management and Entrepreneurship. The combination of industrial psychology with commerce subjects is suitable for candidates interested in personnel management or industrial relations.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Commerce offers relevant regional and global perspectives on business, providing the skills, knowledge and experience needed to pursue a career within the business, government and not-for-profit sectors. The focus of this qualification is on the factors that drive economic behaviour at both an individual and organisational level. It is structured to reflect the changing world of commerce and to provide a firm foundation for the world of work, including the necessary skills, ethical principles and general knowledge needed for decision-making in a business environment.

This qualification is the first general qualification in commerce and business at the institution and will support the more focused Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management. The interdisciplinary nature of this qualification and the range of subjects available allow a learner to select subjects for which they have an ability and which will assist them to prepare for their career of choice. The inclusion of Industrial Psychology and HR Management at each level recognises the importance of managing people, and of management processes generally, and learners who select this subject will learn about the importance of human and labour factors in organisations including the structure, design and culture of organisations; management theory; policies and practices; and employment relations issues both locally and internationally.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning that is aligned to qualifications and award credit (through Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the Institution's RPL and CAT policy is to Recognise Prior Learning in order to provide for admission to qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules using the principles and processes that serve as basis for RPL practices.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission

• National Senior Certificate granting admission to Bachelor studies and with appropriate subjects.

This qualification consists of 2 compulsory modules at Level 5 and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 60 Credits

• Economics 1, 30 Credits.
• Theory of Finance, 15 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 60 Credits (select two)

• Accounting 1, 30 Credits.
• Management 1, 30 Credits.
• Commercial Law 1, 30 Credits.
• Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 1, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits (select three)

• Economics 2, 40 Credits.
• Accounting 2, 40 Credits.
• Management 2, 40 Credits.
• Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 2, 40 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 2, 40 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits (select two)

• Entrepreneurship 3, 60 Credits.
• Accounting 3, 60 Credits.
• Management 3, 60 Credits.
• Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 3, 60 Credits.
• Economics 3, 60 Credits.

1. Integrate knowledge and skills from major study fields (major subjects) and use the additional knowledge and skills provided by the support subjects.
2. Understand the contested nature of knowledge that advances through research.
3. Undertake to identify problems, select an appropriate research method from a range of methods, collecting and analysing data and in academic communication.
4. Consider any ethical implications of the research and respond accordingly.
5. Collect and collate information from a range of sources, the management of that information, and the communication of the results in spoken and written forms.
6. Understand a variety of contexts and systems and will be able to work in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome1

• Incorporate in depth knowledge of the major subjects into all assignments.
• Demonstrate a very high level of knowledge and understanding in the major subjects is and in two independent research projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• All written work demonstrates an increasing familiarity with academic discourse in the humanities.
• Test and challenge dogma by becoming familiar with the academic discourse that is typical of studies in commerce.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Formulate research questions.
• Select appropriate methodologies.
• Collect, analyse and synthesise data, and present it in written and verbal form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Deal with ethical considerations fully.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Use available tools for accessing, processing and managing information in commerce and evaluate and used information appropriately.
• Compare available qualitative and quantitative tools for data analysis to appropriately to address the question.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate an understanding of how contexts differ and how they have developed.
• Demonstrate the ability to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar with confidence.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment serves multiple purposes including allowing staff to monitor learners' progress, and determining the extent to which the learner is achieving the stated outcomes.

Assessment will be integrated into the curriculum and will include a balance of formative and summative tools. In the first year, testing will be regular and learners will be encouraged to understanding that this is a tool by which they should judge their own progress. First tests will be scheduled early enough in the term to allow staff to identify students at risk. Essays and assignments will be used throughout the three years with increasing emphasis in year two and three, to provide opportunities to continue to develop and monitor the development of their writing skills. The third-year research projects will be assessed through an oral seminar presentation and final written report.