Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management

Purpose

This career-orientated qualification aims to equip learners with knowledge, appropriate methodology and practical skills needed to enter the business management field. This qualification provides learning activities that engage discipline-specific (foundational) knowledge and opportunities to master the application of such knowledge (practical competence). Further, learning through simulated assignments and workplace experiences, which require learners to adapt and transfer foundational and practical knowledge to deal with common challenges in this particular field of work, is also provided. For this reason experiential learning, requiring the learner to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional context, receives significant attention.

The qualification provides opportunity for the learner to take initiative and responsibility by requiring them to make decisions and solve problems in executing a range of simulated workplace assignments. Further, these skills are important when learners have to plan and conduct a research project independently in a relevant area of learning.

Once qualified, the graduate will have a wide range of career options in areas such as

• Administrative Management.
• Credit Control.
• Debit Control.
• Finance.
• Marketing.

The graduate may also choose to become self-employed in any of these career options.

The ideal learners are those who

• Wish to be equipped with a broad understanding of different, related disciplines combined with in-depth knowledge to be able to enter into the labour market.
• Seek a learning programme that is tailor-made for the needs of the business management environment.
• Wish to combine interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills in a career context.

Rationale

This qualification addresses the human resource development needs of the country. There is a need for qualified learners that enter the industry with advanced knowledge in the field of business management. This need is related to a combination of factors, related to the economic growth of the country and the increased need for business to develop and market products and services that address the needs of the citizens of the country. This is particularly applicable to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME's) that form a major part of current and future economic activities of the country. The qualification is designed to provide prospective learners with an in-depth knowledge of the business environment and the necessary skills to apply knowledge required to build a career in this specialised field of work.

In line with institutional Language Policy, it is assumed that applicants have a sound use of English combined with adequate academic skills e.g. reading and writing. Comprehensive knowledge of/and experience in computer or information technology is not required, although it will be to their advantage.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Provision is made for prior learning to be recognised so that learners who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission have the opportunity to gain access to the qualification Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant credits towards the qualification.

Access to the Qualification

Learners must meet the following minimum admission requirements

• National Senior Certificate or equivalent with a minimum of grade 2 (elementary achievement, 30-39%) or better in the language of tuition (English).
• Minimum grade 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59%) or better in four (4) other subjects from the designated list of choices.

Learners who do not meet the admission requirements can apply through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

All the modules, in this qualification, are compulsory. To be awarded the qualification, learners are required to obtain a minimum of 365 credits.

NQF Level 5 Modules (120 Credits)

• Business Communication 122, 15 credits.
• Information Administration Systems 122, 25 credits.
• Business Management 112, 15 credits.
• Entrepreneurship 112, 15 credits.
• Administrative Management 113, 30 credits.
• Bookkeeping and Accounting 122, 20 credits.

NQF Level 6 Modules (120 Credits)

• Entrepreneurship 212, 15 credits.
• Information Administration Systems 221, 10 credits.
• Administrative Management 212, 20 credits.
• Organisational Behaviour 212, 15 credits.
• Business Marketing 212, 20 credits.
• Strategic Management 212, 20 credits.
• Bookkeeping and Accounting 222, 20 credits.

NQF Level 7 Modules (125 Credits)

• Information Administration Systems 322, 15 credits.
• Business Legal Practice 313, 25 credits.
• Strategic Management 312, 15 credits.
• Consumer Behaviour 312, 15 credits.
• Bookkeeping Accounting 322, 15 credits.
• Industry Experience 323, 40 credits.

Upon completion of the qualification, graduates will be able to

1. Understand and apply the principles, concepts, theories and practices of business management using appropriate techniques.
2. Communicate and interact with colleagues and clients through effective and appropriate communication skills, including e-communication, as required by the unique organisational culture.
3. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of marketing-related processes.
4. Conduct and use relevant research appropriately.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting systems and processes, (including computerised accounting systems) drawing on appropriate ethical approaches.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes.

Associated assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understand and use information administration systems using appropriate computer software.

> Range: Business communication, organisational behaviour, consumer behaviour, strategic management, information management, business models, environmental analysis, strategic positioning, culture and international strategy and contracts.

• Demonstrate knowledge of analytical tools and processes in the development of strategic plans and entrepreneurial strategies.

> Range: Strategic plans, stakeholders; scenario planning; vision and mission; competitor analysis; business plans for new business enterprise; recruitment and selection.

• Apply business knowledge and skill in the business environment during experiential learning.
• Analyse and evaluate own learning progress to identify areas for growth and further learning.

Associated assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Manage the information needs of the organisation so that timely, relevant and accurate information is available to managers at all levels.
• Acknowledge diversity in society and its impacts on the design of appropriate information as well as media-use aimed at different target groups.

> Range of diversity: Culture, literacy, education, habits, beliefs, access to technology.

• Understand the complex context in which South Africa organisations operate.

> Range: Individual, group, organisational and environmental levels.

• Understand sensitive issues and practical challenges to business management in a culturally diverse society.

Associated assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate knowledge of marketing.

> Range: Role and practice of marketing within the changing business environment, the marketing process, segmentation, targeting and positioning, and the extended marketing mix, as well as different marketing segments and contexts.

• Understand and work with challenges common to business marketing.
• Understand and apply marketing-related decision-making processes of customers(individuals, families and businesses).

Associated assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct research independently in a relevant field of work.
• Communicate research findings to stakeholders using oral, visual/graphic and written presentation skills combined with suitable computer software.

Associated assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Understand different types of businesses from a financial perspective.

> Range: Financial accounting concepts; year-end procedures; sales; financial statements; inventories; budgets; costing; valuations; computerised accounting systems.

• Understand and apply financial management and accounting ethics.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is conducted in line with the institutional Assessment Policy, which states that assessment of competence is an integral part of the programme. Assessment is conducted throughout the programme as a mechanism to monitor learning progress, identify areas for remedial intervention, or guidance to individual learners towards further learning (formative assessment). This is complemented by summative assessment to evaluate competence in terms of achieving all outcomes at the end of each module and the qualification as a whole.

A combination of appropriate formative and summative assessment methods is used. These include orals, written tests, individual presentations, group seminars, examinations and practical assignments. In the final year of study, assessment will include one-on-one consultations between the learner and the supervisor of the research assignment as well as a work-based learning component. Integrated Assessment gives assessors the opportunity to simultaneously assess a combination of specific outcomes from different related modules.

Industry Experience (work-based learning)

Since this is a career-orientated qualification it is required that all learners complete a specified period of experiential (work-based) learning. During this period, they will be given an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a working environment. At the same time, they are given the opportunity to further develop critical skills such as teamwork, interpersonal communication, decision-making, and problem solving. Work-based learning is reserved for the final year of study. Learners are assessed in various ways. Inter alia, the supervisor or manager of the company completes a performance appraisal for the learner. In addition, the learner submits signed records of the actual work hours completed at the company, and submits a written learning reflection report. In order to achieve a pass grade, the learner must hand in all of the above documents as part of a compulsory portfolio of evidence. Certification will only be done once the learner has completed the prescribed experiential learning.