Bachelor of Commerce Honours

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours is to provide learners with advanced knowledge and skills in a specific field of study. The qualification is characterised by its focus on specialised coursework, critical analysis, and research within a chosen discipline or area of study.

The qualification serves as a pathway for further postgraduate studies, such as a Master's degree, as well as entry into certain professional fields that require advanced knowledge and expertise.

The qualification is in line with the requirements of the HEQSF qualification type, makes a significant contribution to the South African higher education system by providing learners with opportunities for advanced learning, specialisation, and professional development in their chosen fields of study.

This qualification is multifaceted, encompassing both national educational objectives and career aspirations for individuals. The decision on which majors should be included and offered as part of this qualification was based on the relevant undergraduate qualifications from which learners will articulate. The qualification offers the following majors: General, Economics, Financial Management, Investment Management, and Risk Management. In addition to this, the institution currently offers a Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management and a BCom in Digital Marketing. The qualification, therefore, offers articulation opportunities to a range of learners. The institution has the necessary resources in place to provide an articulation path in these disciplines, as they are on offer at the undergraduate level as well.

In the national context, the qualification is aligned with the NQF, and with this, it has the power to enhance human capital in a suitable and structured manner, at the correct level of complexity. In addition to this, it also promotes research and innovation, fostering a culture of inquiry and critical thinking. In the career context, it enables the building of specialised knowledge and skills amongst the learners. As such, it opens career advancement opportunities in a country that desperately needs more specialised skills.

Examples of occupations from the National List of Occupations in High Demand: 2024 issued by the South African Government and asking for a minimum of an Honours qualification, link to selected majors suggested for this qualification: Finance Manager, Corporate General Manager, Director of Marketing, Organisation and Methods Analyst, Business Development Officer and Organisational Risk Manager, for example.

The context of the qualification revolves around its contribution to national educational objectives, human capital development, research promotion, and the enhancement of career opportunities for individuals. It plays a crucial role in preparing learners to succeed in the competitive and evolving business landscape of a developing country that is attempting to resolve dichotomies in the economy.

The qualification features a versatile curriculum, allowing learners to choose from a variety of majors while emphasising the enhancement of research, technical, and strategic thinking abilities. Essentially, the qualification is designed to enable individuals to explore the evolving realm of Commerce, which operates under distinct patterns. Upon completion, learners will be equipped to navigate new technological advancements, evaluate the feasibility of business ventures, and advocate for sustainability efforts.

At its core, the qualification recognises the importance of adopting business practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of our planet. This involves understanding that both individuals and businesses must prioritise ethical conduct. By instilling these values and skills, the qualification aims to empower learners to drive positive change and foster responsible business practices in today's interconnected world.

The attributes associated with learners of the qualification include

• Respect
• Problem-solving
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Creativity
• Strategic thinking
• Ethical understanding

Successful completion of this qualification will distinguish learners as they will have a solid understanding of the contemporary business landscape and the essential elements for achieving success within it.

Rationale

The demand for a fresh and innovative Bachelor of Commerce Honours qualification, distinct from existing offerings, arises from the necessity to address the evolving landscape of Commerce. Such a qualification would focus on emerging developments in the field, ensuring learners are equipped with the skills and insights needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. By nurturing a deep understanding of responsible technologies and their impact on the sustainability of future businesses, this qualification aims to produce learners who are uniquely positioned to meet the demands of both industry and society, making them highly sought after.

South Africa is in dire need of an educated workforce that can participate in growing the economy. Business opportunities in South Africa, as a developing country, are plentiful. Many entry-level jobs in Commerce today require an undergraduate degree, but to progress further on the career ladder, individuals need to study further and achieve at least a first postgraduate qualification. In many cases, these postgraduate studies are embarked upon part-time, but there are also learners who can afford to study full-time, directly following on from the relevant undergraduate qualification.

While existing offerings might allow individuals to add generic business and/or commerce skills to their portfolio, more qualifications are needed to build scarce skills for South Africa's employment landscape, like managing in an e-commerce environment, setting up platform businesses, participating in growing companies that design new technological advances, especially considering the global drive for sustainability. Especially important will be to understand market forces and trends linked to South Africa's second economy to create further employment opportunities.

This qualification will produce learners who have the knowledge and the skills to embark on those business ventures, but who are also global citizens and have a passion for commercializing business ideas for the common good.

The qualification offers all learners an opportunity to enhance their existing foundation by acquiring valuable, contemporary skills essential in today's dynamic Commerce landscape. Additionally, it serves as an articulation pathway for learners. This qualification will ensure that various industries contributing to South Africa's economy have access to highly qualified individuals prepared to address the next phase of their careers, thereby cultivating a pipeline of skilled learners for the nation's workforce.

Given the rapidly evolving commercial landscape in South Africa and globally, the need for new and updated qualifications is evident to remain competitive. Emerging trends such as e-commerce, omnichannel retailing, cybersecurity (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module), fintech (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module) underscore the importance of equipping individuals with insights into these contemporary issues. By completing a qualification that offers exposure to these latest trends and that fosters a deep understanding of their commercial implications, individuals can contribute to the success of businesses, ultimately benefiting the South African economy and society.

The proposed qualification offers BCom learners an opportunity to enhance their existing foundation by acquiring valuable, contemporary skills essential in today's dynamic Commerce landscape. By equipping learners with these skills, the qualification not only enhances their individual career prospects but also contributes to their personal and professional development. Additionally, serving as an articulation pathway for the institution's own cohorts of BCom learners, the qualification facilitates seamless progression within the institution, ensuring continuity and coherence in education.

Beyond the individual learner, the qualification has broader implications for society and the economy. It addresses the pressing need for highly qualified individuals in various industries, thereby bolstering the workforce and fostering economic growth. By producing learners equipped to tackle the evolving challenges of the commercial landscape, the qualification cultivates a pool of talent capable of driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness within businesses. Consequently, this benefits society by promoting economic prosperity, job creation, and social development.

Furthermore, the qualification's focus on contemporary issues such as e-commerce, cybersecurity (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module), fintech (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module), and robotics (in the Contemporary Commerce Challenges Module), ensures that learners are well-prepared to navigate emerging trends and contribute meaningfully to industry advancements. This not only benefits individual learners by enhancing their marketability but also strengthens the economy by fostering a workforce adept at leveraging new technologies and driving sectoral growth.

In summary, the qualification provides benefits to learners by enhancing their skills and career opportunities, while also benefiting society and the economy by supplying highly qualified professionals, fostering innovation, and promoting economic development.

The qualification has been tailored with the needs of potential learners in mind, resulting in submission to the CHE for both distance learning (DL) and contact learning (CL) modes. While some may wish to pursue the qualification immediately after completing their relevant undergraduate degree, others may already be employed in the industry and thus prefer the flexibility of distance learning. This qualification targets individuals holding a BCom qualification who aspire to advance their careers and become highly sought-after candidates in today's dynamic business landscape.

Given the specific majors that the institution suggests for this qualification, learners would be able to operate in the following areas, building on the existing BCom undergraduate qualification: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Economics, Finance, Risk Management, Project Management, and International Business. It is envisaged that other majors may be added to the qualification in the future, based on the rapid pace of development in the field of commerce.

The curriculum for specific modules could be linked to those qualifications, or the industry body or association would ideally agree to endorse the new qualification. Industry bodies/associations and/or their designations and qualifications that were consulted in putting this qualification together include:

• PMI Institute
• Corporate Finance Institute
• Marketing Association of South Africa
• Risk Management Institute of Southern Africa

Given the specific majors that the institution suggests for this new BCom Honours qualification, learners would be able to operate in the following areas, building on the existing BCom undergraduate qualification: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Economics, Finance, Risk Management, Project Management, Digital Marketing, and International Business, now. Other elective streams could be added to the qualification later.

Specific occupations/professions per major would be as follows

• Business Analyst
• Business Consultant
• Commercial Head
• Entrepreneur/Founder of a startup or new business venture
• Innovation Head/Consultant
• Business Development Manager/Specialist
• Digital Marketing Expert
• Digital Marketing Consultant
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Economist/Policy Analyst
• Economic Researcher/Analyst
• Economic Senior Consultant
• Senior Financial Analyst/Manager
• Portfolio Manager/Investment Advisor
• Senior Financial Controller/Manager
• Senior Risk Manager/Analyst
• Senior Compliance Officer/Specialist
• Enterprise Risk Head
• Senior Project Manager
• Senior Programme Manager
• Senior Project Consultant
• Senior International Trade Specialist
• Global Marketing Manager
• International Business Development Head

The qualification is commonly situated under the broader domain of business or commerce-related disciplines. Within this academic trajectory, learners pursue qualifications with a range of specialisations or majors, encompassing areas like Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, and more. This educational pathway furnishes learners with a holistic grasp of general business or commerce principles and their practical implementation, spanning topics such as business strategy, research methodologies, finance, and related subjects, while also affording them the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest in greater depth.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

RPL for access

• Applicants who do not meet the stated admission criteria, but who have relevant work experience/prior learning, may apply for admission under the policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.
• The institution admits a maximum of 10% per cohort via RPL.
• The implementation of RPL is context-specific, in terms of discipline, qualification, and level.

RPL for exemption from modules

• 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.
• For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 60 Credits

• Contemporary Commerce Challenges, 20 Credits
• Research Project, 30 credits.
• Capstone Project,10 credits.

Elective modules at Level 8, 60 Credits (Select three modules in each stream)

General Stream

• Market Research and Analysis, 20 Credits.
• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, 20 Credits,
• Financial Analysis and Financial Performance Management, 20 Credits.

OR

Economics Stream

• Economic Modelling, 20 Credits.
• Economic Forecasting, 20 Credits.
• New Economic Thinking, 20 Credits.

OR

Finance Stream

• Financial Modelling, 20 Credits.
• Financial Valuation, 20 Credits.
• Financial Analysis and Financial Performance Management, 20 Credits.

OR

Risk Management Stream

• Risk Management Framework Theory, 20 Credits.
• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, 20 Credits.
• Risk Management Framework Application, 20 Credits.

OR

Project Management Stream

• Qualification and Portfolio Management, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
• Project Management Methodologies, 20 Credits.

OR

International Business Stream

• Cross-cultural Communication and Global Negotiation, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
• Global Economic Trends and Regulation.

OR

Digital Marketing Stream

• Market Research and Analysis, 20 Credits.
• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Digital Marketing, 20 Credits.

OR

Business Innovation Stream

• Business Design and Strategy, 20 Credits, NQF level 8 (Semester 1)
• Strategic Management, 20 Credits, NQF level 8 (Semester 2)
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 20 Credits, NQF level 8 (Semester 2)

1. Analyse and critically evaluate contemporary business concepts, demonstrating advanced proficiency in application and understanding the intricacies of balancing commercial viability with ethical principles and sustainable development.
2. Conduct research, employing methodologies and analysis techniques to produce contributions that are relevant to the digitally transformed business world.
3. Evaluate and devise adept organisational strategies for dynamic commercial environments, showing strategic management competencies.
4. Execute and present findings of a comprehensive capstone project, integrating knowledge from diverse disciplines to address real-world business challenges effectively.
5. Apply in-depth knowledge to analyse and solve complex problems relevant to the chosen elective major, demonstrating specialised expertise relevant to a specific area of commerce.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Prepare and present a detailed analysis, based on a case study, of the risks and returns associated with financial management.
• Offer a thorough interpretation of the required rate of return and the cost of capital for a business organisation to ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Prepare a summary that concisely explains each of the steps associated with financial planning, highlighting the way this extends the control of the organisation.
• Offer a detailed comparison of the financial differences between company mergers and acquisitions, commenting on the benefits and pitfalls for all relevant stakeholders.
• Present a comprehensive and well-rounded explanation of the connection between international investments and international treasury, focusing specifically on how these influence local economies and, by extension, local businesses.
• Prepare a comprehensive explanation of Capital Structure theory and include relevant examples where necessary.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Present a comprehensive explanation and interpretation of how personnel and organisational policy influence human resource dynamics and flows, focusing on the way these policies influence the flow of the entire organisation.
• Provide a thorough comparison of labour relations and human resources law and regulations, distinguishing clearly how these are implemented and related.
• Present an analytical comparison of three different motivation and compensation systems within an organisation, commenting on the effectiveness of each.
• Offer a detailed personal analysis of the connection between the steps of recruitment and selection to career management for employees, both for internal promotional and external hiring.
• Present a comprehensive explanation and justification for the selection criteria with should be used when organisations intend to offer training qualifications to solve employee performance problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Present a comprehensive analysis of the connection between labour and goods markets, including citations of the relevant theories.
• Prepare a well-rounded essay providing one's interpretation of the connections between demand and supply, inferring how this influences consumer theory.
• Present a detailed outline of both economics and behavioural economics, including the theories related to each.
• Provide an exhaustive table, categorising and explaining the theories related to information economics and behavioural economics.
• Prepare a comprehensive comparison of exogenous and endogenous economic variables, focusing on how each influences the economy on both a domestic and global level.
• Prepare and present a personal interpretation of the applications of theories related to macro- and micro-economics, debating the merits of each.
• Investigate the influence of a singular event in the microeconomy of an organisation and interpret the effect thereof on the macroeconomy of the country based on a provided case study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Prepare and present a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of "strategy" and "organisational strategy" as these relate to business organisations and their operations.
• Present a personal interpretation of how an organisation's competitive position is based on its resources and the ability to manage these; apply relevant theory and examples to substantiate the interpretation.
• Offer a detailed comparison of two different businesses, as laid out in case studies, evaluating how these businesses compete and operate in international markets, and propose a strategy for organisations to compete in these markets better.
• Prepare a comparative essay focusing on the way sustainable growth is related to the ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities of an organisation.
• Present a thorough analysis of how corporate culture and ethical leadership drive good strategy implementation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Provide a detailed comparison of the current theories related to information systems, commenting on the merits and oversights of each in practice.
• Provide a comprehensive depiction of the differences between daily enterprise systems practice and information security as these work together in a business environment.
• Prepare a comprehensive written report explaining the influence of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, inferring how these may potentially change business organisations.
• Offer a personal interpretation on what the impact of artificial intelligence practices and advancements may be on information security systems, providing examples to substantiate the interpretation.
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the information systems management that impacts business enterprises by protecting their intellectual property.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Provide a detailed comparison and analysis of marketing plans, commenting on the logical (or illogical) development to describe the likely success thereof.
• Engage in a comprehensive analysis of a case study business where the marketing plan has been unsuccessful and suggest a possible solution.
• Offer a detailed interpretation of the purpose and need for a market needs analysis, commenting on how the process is carried out, and the impact it may have on the business in the provided case study.
• Present a detailed comparison of how two different competitive strategies have influenced the growth of an organisation in a provided case study scenario.
• Engage in a thorough analysis of a set of business relationships, explaining how each of the relationships influences each other and potentially leads to business success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Present interpretation of the implementation process utilised in basic research uses the correct terminology to describe each of the concepts involved.
• Prepare a research plan based on the research process, explain each of the required steps for success, based on the research conducted.
• Present a literature review based on a research topic of choice or recommended by the lecturer, including all the articles used in an alphabetical bibliography.
• Conduct research into four different research methodologies used when conducting research into the chosen topic, presenting findings in a report and explain which method will be used to conduct research.
• Conduct research into four different data collection techniques and tools used when conducting research into the chosen topic, presenting findings in a report, and explaining which method was used to conduct research.
• Prepare a questionnaire, or other lecturer-approved sampling strategy, and utilise this tool for data collection, remaining cognisant of the POPI Act.
• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation which depicts the research outcomes of a data set which previously collected and analysed using Excel.
• Using all the necessary data tools and analytics, interpret the findings of a research study undertaken.
• Present research report, including all the required elements such as a literature review and data analysis.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Assessment practices must be fair, transparent, valid and reliable and should ensure that the learner is not disadvantaged in any way. Integrated assessment provides the opportunity for learners to demonstrate that they can integrate concepts, actions and ideas achieved across a range of unit standards and contexts. Integrated assessment must evaluate the quality of competence attained by the learner.

The assessment strategies used must ensure that all Specific Outcomes, Essential Embedded Knowledge and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are assessed. The assessment of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of the Specific Outcomes.

The learner who has provided the required evidence for all the exit-level outcomes of the qualification will be assessed as competent and awarded the qualification. This will ensure that learning and competence are not achieved only by the building blocks of the unit standards but also the integration and application of the fundamental, core and elective building blocks to a particular context, i.e. the exit level outcomes.

Formative Assessments

• Learners are required to complete and submit two formal formative assessment tasks per module, constituting 50% of the module mark. Learners who do not achieve an average of 40% for their formative assessments may be allowed to resubmit their assessment tasks after academic support and guidance through the Academic Committee.

Summative Assessments

• Upon achievement of a sub-minimum of 40% for each formative assessment, learners will be allowed to proceed to the summative assessment, which constitutes 50% of the module mark. The summative assessment will also have a minimum of 40%.