Bachelor of Commerce

Purpose

This programme is aimed at producing much needed graduates to enter the Management and Business environments/fields. A sound grounding is provided in the knowledge, theory and skills required in the Commerce and Business fields. With this qualification, learners will be qualified to enter a wide range of occupations.

It will empower graduates with foundational, practical and reflexive competence at a graduate-level to enable them to pursue careers in the local, national, regional and global business and public sector economic environments. The qualification will provide graduates with up-to-date specialist knowledge in accounting, business law and statistics. It also offers a wide range of specialisations which offer the learner relevant knowledge and skills applicable in specific business and/or commercial niches in which they might wish to be employed or study further. This structure provides the learner with the opportunity to tailor his/her learning to different contexts and different environments while ensuring a knowledge of the theory, principles and core elements in the relevant chosen discipline area. The qualification will enable the learner to develop his/her intellectual capacity to understand the economic and business environment and to think critically and innovatively.

Rationale

South Africa, as is the case with all developing countries, is faced with a shortage of skilled personnel, particularly in the fields of entrepreneurship and management. Knowledge and skills in these areas and particularly in financial management are required to ensure the sustainability of business enterprises. This qualification will help to develop that knowledge and those skills. The qualification will enable successful learners to integrate management theory and practice skills with technical and professional skills.

Successful learners will have the knowledge and skills to compete successfully in the global business environment both nationally and internationally.

The qualification will give access to higher levels of learning. The qualification addresses the country's need for competent middle and senior managers in both the public and private sectors.

It is assumed that learners have developed competencies in Communication (English) and Mathematics at NQF Level 4 i.e. in the Senior Certificate examinations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to

• Grant admission to learners who do not meet the admission requirements.
• Grant credits to learners for learning already completed that matches that in this qualification, with the proviso that no more than 50% of the credits for this qualification may be awarded through RPL.

Entry Requirements

Learners who meet one of the following the admission requirements may apply for admission to the qualification

• A Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption with a "C" Symbol for English and Mathematics.
• A Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree study with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics.
• A National Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree study with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics.
• A National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics (Mathematics Literacy does not qualify in this instance).

Learners are to complete

The following 24 Compulsory modules

• Basic Reading and Comprehension.
• Computer Fundamentals for Business.
• Spreadsheets for Financial Management.
• Office Automation and Word Processing.
• Financial Life Skills.
• Price Theory.
• General Economy.
• Macro-Economic Policies.
• Computer Life Skills.
• Business Environment.
• Business Management I.
• Business Management II.
• Numeracy.
• Double Entry Bookkeeping.
• Elementary Financial Statements.
• VAT Cashbooks and Software Package.
• Business Law A.
• Business Law B.
• Business Law C.
• Business Law D.
• Marketing Fundamentals.
• Descriptive Statistics and Probability.
• Inferential Statistics.
• Introductory Financial Mathematics.

And

An additional 24 elective modules chosen as follows

Two Modules from Option 1 below

• Professional and Statutory Requirements in Auditing.
• Partnerships and Share Capital.
• Basic Principles of Insurance.
• Labour Market.
• Human Resources Management I.
• Microeconomics: Consumption and Markets.

Two Modules from Option 2 below

• Audit Risk and Field Work.
• Marketing Mix.
• Schedule 4 Disclosure.
• Terminating Accounting IIa.
• Insurance Documentation and Practice.
• Labour Policies.
• Human Resources Management II.
• Microeconomics: Firms and Factors.

Two Modules from Option 3 below

• Introduction to Financial Management.
• Basic Financial Management A.
• Deferred Tax and Leases.
• Insurance Risk Management.
• Quantitative Microeconomics.
• Industrial Relations in South Africa.
• Macroeconomics: Classical and Keynesian Theories.

Two Modules from Option 4 below

• Introduction to Management Accounting.
• Financial Management B.
• Introduction to Group Financial Statements.
• Short Term Insurance.
• Quantitative Macroeconomics.
• Collective Bargaining and Industrial Action.
• Applied Macroeconomics.

Four Modules from Option 5 below

• Accounting/Financial Information Systems.
• Job and Process Costing Systems.
• General Management Principals.
• Fundamentals of Life Insurance.
• Public Expenditure Analysis.
• Agricultural Economics.
• The Income Tax Framework.
• Assets and Extraordinary Item Disclosure.
• Organisational Behaviour One.
• Revenue, Acquisition and Payroll Cycles.

Four Modules from Option 6 below

• Management Information Systems.
• Budgeting and Standard Costing Systems.
• General Management Elements.
• Employment Benefit Schemes.
• Public Revenue and Stabilisation.
• Agricultural Development Policies.
• Taxation of Individuals and Partnerships.
• Disclosure in Terms of GAAP.
• Organisational Behaviour Two.
• Stock and Finance Cycles.
• Concluding The Audit.

Four Modules from Option 7 below

• Information System Management I.
• Capital Structure, Valuations and Enterprise Valuation.
• Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship.
• Career Psychology.
• International Economics.
• Nature and Process of Development.
• Forex, Company Tax and Avoidance.
• Cashflows and Business Combinations.
• Introduction to Administrative Law.
• Statutory and Corporate Governance Requirements.

Four Modules from Option 8 below

• Financial Engineering and Restructuring.
• New Venture Planning.
• Research Methods.
• Trade and Exchange Rate Policies.
• Development Policy.
• Donations Tax Estate Duty and VAT.
• Advanced Consolidation Concepts.
• Introduction to Industrial Law.
• Computer Auditing and Audit Reports.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to

1. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of general principles and theories of business and their application in business and commerce.
2. Demonstrate technical and communication skills and knowledge that are appropriate in the area(s) of their chosen specialisation.
3. Display a continuing professional approach to work, community responsibilities and personal development.
4. Solve problems in business and commerce.
5. Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in organisations to create the opportunity to develop as a leader in a multi-disciplinary environment.

The subject outcomes specified for each module are used to ascertain competence in the modules and the following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to ascertain competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:

• Formulate and solve contextual problems and propose potential solutions.
• Read and interpret academic and professional texts and formulating written analyses in own area of specialisation.
• Apply theories and principles to work related tasks.

Integrated assessment

The assessment used in the various modules includes

- Formative assessments, tasks and written assignments such as

> Class participation.

> Research projects.

> Oral presentations and assessment.

> Mid-semester tests.

> Group assessment.

Summative assessments at the conclusion of each module.

Assessment is designed to test progress in learning and final mastery of theory, principles and related skills, as well as the application of knowledge.