Bachelor of Commerce in Law

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with knowledge and skills in the fields of commerce and law. It will also provide learners with applied competence and an understanding of those key components considered being essential to the fields of Commerce and Law.

The curriculum is designed to equip learners with a set of core competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) necessary to pursue a career in law and/or commerce. Furthermore, it provides the learner with the knowledge base, theory, methodology of discipline and application relevant to the field of study. The electives allow for specialisation in the different fields of law and commerce.

Upon completion the learners will be able to

• Illustrate an understanding of relevant and essential knowledge of the principles, concepts and methods used by individuals in business organisations to gather, process, analyse and interpret financial data.
• Understand and apply management principles in the business environment and legal fraternity.
• Show an understanding of the roles as a business communicator in the business environment.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Commerce in Law aims to introduce learners to the fields of Commerce and Law through a recognised, affordable and quality qualification. This qualification is structured to introduce individuals to a set of core competencies to pursue a career in commerce and/or law. Learners will then be equipped to start and manage their own enterprises or gain entry into the formal legal profession, as well as careers in commerce and law.

After completing the Bachelor of Commerce in Law, qualifying learners will be able to

• Fulfil the role of managers with a background in commerce and law. Learners can then pursue further personal development in accordance with the exact needs of the corporate world and the legal fraternity. Learners will also be able to start and manage their own enterprises.
• Further their studies in Business Administration.
• Gain entry to the formal legal profession (e.g. Attorneys/Advocates) and other careers in law.
• An added value of this qualification is that it provides learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which form the foundation for the Bachelor of Law (LLB) qualification.

This NQF Level 7 qualification is designed and aimed at entry-level positions in Law and Commerce.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admission process and who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential/work-based learning, which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification as specified, may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications prior to admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

The institution's Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning, in line with SAQA's national requirements, takes into account criteria such as currency, quality, relevance and transferability.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirements for this qualification are as follows

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Management.

Or

• Diploma in Management.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Or

• N6 National Diploma.

This qualification comprises of compulsory at NQF Levels 6 and 7 and elective modules at NQF Level 7, totalling 410 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 6

• Business Communication, 15 Credits.
• Economics 10A, 10 Credits.
• Economics 10B, 10 Credits.
• Family Law, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to SA Law and Legal Writing Skills, 30 Credits.
• Labour Law, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, at NQF Level 7, Credits

• Business Management I, 25 Credits.
• Management II, 25 Credits.
• Management III, 35 Credits.
• Economics 20A, 15 Credits.
• Economics 20B, 15 Credits.
• Law of Persons, 20 Credits.
• Law of Property, 20 Credits.
• Law of Succession, 20 Credits.
• Law of Contract, 20 Credits.
• Law of Delict, 20 Credits.
• Business Law, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, at NQF Level 7

• Leadership, 20 Credits.
• Insolvency Law, 20 Credits.
• Corporate Governance, 20 Credits.

1. Show an understanding of the roles as a business communicator in the business environment.
2. Understand and apply management principles in the business environment and legal fraternity.
3. Illustrate an understanding of relevant and essential knowledge of the principles, concepts and methods used by individuals in business organisations to gather, process, analyse and interpret financial data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Competence in communicating effectively in the business environment is demonstrated.
• Different communication theories are analysed and compared.
• Various forms of communication are described and analysed.
• An understanding of effective communication in the business environment and legal fraternity is shown.
• Communication plans are developed and executed within organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Management principles are understood and applied in the business environment.
• The role and importance of managers within organisations is explained and executed.
• The formulation of strategies to be executed, the filtering down, as well as what needs to be done on business level is synthesised.
• The fundamentals of decision-making and the application of decision-making models within organisations are understood.
• Control within organisations is explained and preventative quality control mechanisms are created.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Data are converted into valuable financial information in order to make investment and financial decisions.
• Skills in the field of business finance are developed in order to perform competently when having to deal with financial matters in own or work life and add value to organisations with respect to financial responsibilities.
• How the economic environment influences business management is explained.
• Basic knowledge of accounting, financial management, corporate governance and its application in the business management environment and legal fraternity are applied.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role and importance of accounting as a major discipline in commerce, industry and in the public arena.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual framework that applies to accounting.

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment has the following characteristics

• It assesses the extent to which a learner at entry-level manager/legal advisor can manage competently and effectively in South African companies and also in international companies.
• It measures the extent to which learners have integrated the roles, the knowledge and skills delivered through the different subjects of the qualification.
• It assesses the learner's application in a specialist management/legal advisory stream.
• It assesses applied competence, which means that learners are able to integrate the ability to perform important managerial and legal actions competently (a practical competence), understand the theoretical basis for these actions (foundational competence) and reflect on the ability to make changes to managerial and legal practices (reflexive competence).