Bachelor of Commerce in Finance

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with applied competencies in the mastering, analysis, interpretation and application of investment management, financial planning, real estate and quantitative finance fields in preparation for a career in the investment management, financial planning, real estate and quantitative finance fields as well as to provide a basis for further learning. The learners should be able to reflect on the decisions and applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of finance as a practice.

Rationale

Learners who complete this degree will be suited to areas of specialisation such as investment management, financial planning, real estate, and quantitative finance type positions in the financial services industry; this has been identified as a scarce skill.

The rationale for this qualifications is to realign the current Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) (Finance) academic offering of the Department of Finance and Investment Management. The College of Business and Economics (CBE) is offering this Degree to learners who achieve the minimum requirements for this qualifications. There is currently a large demand for learners who want to continue studying towards a degree in the Department of Finance and Investment Management. The qualifications will allow learners to articulate into various Postgraduate qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Department of Finance and Investment Management will require learners to write an entrance examination to ensure that learners are at the correct academic level. 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 will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The institution manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualifications as set out in the policy:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the institution.
• RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements.

> Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-Level.

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualifications.

> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the institution.

> Is finally decided upon by the intuition Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 382 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5,135 Credits

• Accounting 11, 15 Credits.
• Economics 11, 15 Credits.
• Principles of Business 11, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques 11, 12 Credits.
• Professional Skills 11, 12 Credits.
• Accounting 12, 15 Credits.
• Principles of Business 12, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques 12, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Finance 12, 12 Credits.
• Professional Skills 12, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6,106 Credits

• Financial Markets and Institutions 21, 12 Credits.
• Accounting 21, 15 Credits.
• Financial Markets Rules and Regulations 21, 12 Credits.
• Valuation techniques in Financial Markets 21, 12 Credits.
• Applied Financial Techniques 21, 12 Credits.
• Investment Management 22, 12 Credits.
• Economics 2D, 16 Credits.
• Accounting 22, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 6, 15 Credits (Choose one elective)

• Real Estate 2, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative Finance 22, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 96 Credits

• Investment Management 31, 15 Credits.
• Applied Financial Analysis 31, 15 Credits.
• Financial Planning 31, 15 Credits.
• Human Dynamics in Finance 31, 6 Credits.
• Investment Management 32, 15 Credits.
• Applied Financial Analysis 32, 15 Credits.
• Financial Planning 32, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 7, 30 Credits (Choose one elective)

• Real Estate 32, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative Finance 32, 15 Credits.

And (Choose one elective)

• Real Estate 31, 6 Credits.
• Quantitative Finance 31, 15 Credits.

1. Calculate and interpret financial calculations in the finance environment.
2. Apply an understanding of financial services and markets and calculate the instruments used in various financial markets.
3. Construct multiple options of applying and integrating finance knowledge to solve theoretical, applied or real life financial practitioner problems.
4. Present an understanding of key aspects and implications of specified systems, situations, specified bodies of content and the effect in the finance environment.
5. Exhibit an ability to reflect with self and others, critical of own and other people's thoughts and actions, and capable of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of continual challenge from the finance environment.
6. Engage with, own learning and learning strategies, and awareness of the nature of knowledge and how new knowledge can be acquired in the finance environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Perform financial calculations in the finance environment.
• Interpret financial calculations in the finance environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply an understanding of financial services and markets.
• Calculate the instruments used in various financial markets.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Construct multiple options of applying and integrating finance knowledge to solve theoretical, applied or real life financial practitioner problems.
• Organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the financial management field by applying the relevant theoretical principles and reflect on the application made.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects and implications of specified systems, situations, specified bodies of content and the effect in the finance environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Reflect with self and others, critical of own and other people's thoughts and actions, and
• Display a capability of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of continual challenge from the financial market environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate consciousness of, and engagement with, own learning and learning strategies.
• Demonstrate awareness of the nature of knowledge and how new knowledge can be acquired in the finance environment.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment across the qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process for this qualification. In achieving the Exit Level Outcomes, learners are required to comply with the minimum assessments set for the level of the qualification, as per the Institution's Assessment Policy. Assessments vary depending on the module and the outcomes of the module, however all modules are formatively and summatively assessed. The assessment of theoretical modules is usually in the form of assignments, practicals and written tests or examinations. The weighting of the different assessments toward the calculation of the final mark is clearly indicated to learners in the learning guide for each module.

Integrated assessments/case studies also take place through a variety of assignments, for example, those completed in industry or those that assess aggregated knowledge acquired (such as in a capstone module).

Formative and Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment opportunities are not formally recorded and take the form of class tests, question and answer sessions and monitoring of practical work.

Summative Assessment leads to the final judgmental mark in accordance to the institution's Assessment Policy. The assessments for theoretical modules will be in the form of assignments and written tests or practical examinations.