Bachelor of Commerce in Finance

Rationale

This qualification aims to provide South Africa with graduates who are competent in the field of finance with the capacity to understand and function effectively in the economy.

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with integrated knowledge of economic concepts, theories, models, laws, principles, skills, research methods and applied competence enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in the changing economic and financial environment within the national and international context.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution, or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme of the institution. The Recognition of Prior Learning concerns the provable knowledge and skills that an applicant has acquired. At all times the question will be what the level of skills and knowledge is, which will be assessed in the context of the Exit Level Outcomes required by the intended teaching-learning programme or modules in the programme; or the status for which the applicant applies, and not merely by virtue of the experience recorded by the applicant. Recognition of Prior Learning will therefore take place in terms of applied competencies demonstrated by the applicant in his/her application and the portfolio of evidence submitted, taking into consideration the Exit Level Outcomes that have to be obtained by means of the selected teaching-learning programme. In cases where prior learning at other institutions, or relevant experience, is deemed by the Dean to compensate for the lack of formal qualifications required above, a candidate may be admitted for study.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Bachelors studies are

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate Vocational (NCV) for Degree studies.

Or

• Matriculation exemption may be admitted to this qualification.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7.

Elective Modules, Level 5

• Financial Accounting (Special) (ACCS121), 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting (ACCF111), 16 Credits.
• Fin Acc (Spec) (ACCS111), 16 Credits.
• Academic Literacy (AGLA121), 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy (AGLE121), 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting (ACCF121), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5

• Introductory Statistics (STTN122), 12 Credits.
• Adv Math Tech (WISN112), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics (ECON111), 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Management and Management Processes (BMAN111), 12 Credits.
• Basic Micro and Macroeconomics (ECON121), 12 Credits.
• Business Management (BMAN121), 12 Credits.
• Professional Skills Development (PSDT111), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6

• International Trade (EKIP211), 16 Credits.
• Consumer Behaviour (BMAR221), 16 Credits.
• International Trade Finance & Payment (EKIP221), 16 Credits.
• Micro-Economics (ECON221), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Marketing Management (BMAN211), 16 Credits.
• Macroeconomics (ECON211), 16 Credits.
• Investment Management (EKRP221), 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Risk Management (EKRP211), 16 Credits.
• Financial Accounting: Special Topics, Etc (ACCF221), 16 Credits.
• Understanding the Economic World (WVES221), 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting: Financial Reporting (ACCF211), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7

• International Trade Geography (EKIP311), 16 Credits.
• Bank Risk Management (EKRP311), 16 Credits.
• Financial Markets (EKRP321), 16 Credits.
• Strategic Management (BMAN321), 16 Credits.
• Financial Management (BMAN311), 16 Credits.
• Fiscal and Monetary Policy (ECON311), 16 Credits.
• International Business Communication (EKIP321), 16 Credits.
• Applied Ethics (WVES311), 12 Credits.
• Economic Analysis (ECON321), 16 Credits.
• Development Economics (ECON322), 16 Credits.

• Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the central areas of the economic sciences, including an understanding of and an ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of economics.
• Demonstrate insight into the different perspectives on and world views of the economic problem in order to develop a personal philosophical framework for functioning in the economy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of enquiry in the field outcomes of economic sciences, and their suitability to specific investigations; and an ability to select and apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within practice.
• Identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments in the context of economic sciences.
• Develop and apply of appropriate processes to access, process and manage information within the field of economic sciences; and an ability to independently validate the sources of economic information and evaluate and analyse the information.
• Formulate, present and communicate insightful and creative academic and professional ideas and arguments effectively - verbally and in writing, using appropriate media and communication technology and suitable economics methods.
• Investigate, critically analyse, understand and solve complex real life and/or hypothetical problems in a coherent and creative manner, demonstrating advanced use of critical thinking in economics in a self directed manner.
• Take personal responsibility for his or her work, decision making and use of resources, and limited accountability for the decisions and actions of others in the varied and dynamic world of business.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit level Outcomes.

• A systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories is achieved.
• The ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information is demonstrated.
• An understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice is critically reflected.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations is displayed.
• Scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas, written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology are communicated.
• Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

As stipulated in the Assessment and Moderation Policy of the institution, qualification, programme and module outcomes and assessment criteria are clearly formulated according to the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) level descriptors and correctly communicated to students as guiding principle for assessment practices at the institution. At least one opportunity for integrated assessment, where the main purpose and key outcomes of the qualification/programme are assessed, is included in the assessment activities for this qualification. The following formative assessment modes are used, namely class tests and integrated assignments. The weight of formative assessment is a maximum of 50%. Summative assessment consists of 1 or more 2 to 3 hour examinations per module with a weight of 50%.