Diploma in Business and Information Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce learners with advanced core knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in Business and Information Management specialising in the fields of Human Resource Management, Project Management or Legal Practice and to be engaged citizens who become life - long learners aspiring to pursue career opportunities both locally and internationally.

The qualified learner will have the competence to deliver an effective information service in a global environment towards meeting the requirements of clients in a diverse and changing society. Persons achieving this qualification will be able to supervise and manage an information centre.

The learner will be able to

• Manage themselves, others and all business and management functions within the internal, external and global environment.
• Create and sustain a small business or entrepreneurial enterprise within the global context.
• Create strong and lasting customer relationships with internal and external customers pertaining to service excellence and quality within the business environment.
• To be able to work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation and community in being engaged citizens.
• Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking within the business environment in the fields of Human Resource Management, Project Management and Law.

Rationale

In line with the Mission this institution and the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics (FAI) an opportunity existed to create a qualification that enables a student to be proficient in one of three areas of specialisation, thereby providing the student with avenues of diversity. The curriculum is structured so that it allows students the opportunity to make informed choices with regards to specialising at higher levels within the qualification.

An environmental scan conducted highlighted the need for employment in the following sectors viz, Project Management, Human Resource Management and Legal Practice within the field of Business and Administration Management. Thus, the new curriculum aims to provide the learner with a broad perspective and understanding of these fields and, creates an opportunity for the development of a Diploma in Business and Information Management (BIM), affording students an opportunity to specialise in either, Human Resource Management, Project Management or Legal Practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The structure of BIM qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. The qualification may therefore be achieved in part through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal, non - formal learning and work experience.

If the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the BIM qualification, the appropriate credits will be assigned to the learner. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of Integrated Assessment.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• Senior Certificate (SC).

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowing entry to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) allowing entry to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 380 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5 (104 Credits)

• Communication 1, 8 Credits.
• Communication 2, 8 Credits.
• Business Principles and Management 1A, 12 Credits.
• Business Principles and Management 1B, 12 Credits.
• Information Management and Technology 1A, 12 Credits.
• Information Management and Technology 1B, 12 Credits.
• Private Law, 12 Credits.
• Research Principles and Practice 1, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to sign Language (IGE), 8 Credits.
• Cornerstone (IGE), 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6 (188 Credits)

• Business Principles and Management 2A, 12 Credits.
• Business Principles and Management 2B, 12 Credits.
• Business Fundamentals 1 (FGE), 12 Credits.
• Business Fundamentals 2 (FGE), 12 Credits.
• Information Management and Technology 2A, 16 Credits.
• Information Management and Technology 2B, 16 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 1, 12 Credits.
• HIV and Communicable Diseases (IGE), 12 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 12 Credits.
• Research Principles and Practice 2, 12 Credits.
• Research Principles and Practice 3, 8 Credits.
• Accounting and Financial Principles 1, 12 Credits.
• Accounting and Financial Principles 2, 12 Credits.
• Business and Information Management Practice, 20 Credits.
• Community Engagement Project (IGE), 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7 (48 Credits)

• Business Principles and Management 3, 24 Credits.
• Information Management and Technology 3, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules (Choose 4 modules) at NQF Level 6 (84 Credits)

• Human Resource Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Legal Practice, 16 Credits.
• Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, 12 Credits.
• Conveyancing Practice, 12 Credits.
• Human Relations Management, 12 Credits.

1. Gain advanced skills and knowledge required for the management of Information and support systems as well as the application of information processing within the business environment.
2. Develop, evaluate and manage Human Resource practices and policies as well as build and maintain successful relationships in the home, community and workplace.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of philosophy, tools, attitudes and skills in the field of Project Management.
4. Gain advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to analyse, interpret and calculate Accounting and Financial problems in the Business and Information field.
5. Gain advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to analyse, interpret and calculate Accounting and Financial problems in the Business and Information field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Technology mediated learning in order to create documents and presentations is researched and managed.
• Documents are managed, designed and shared using specialised software.
• Technology mediated learning in order to create spreadsheets, databases and display creativity in designing publisher documents is researched and managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Knowledge of personal development as well as the grooming and enhancing of oneself to foster a positive change is demonstrated.
• Good relations at home, work and within the community are developed, managed and maintained.
• An understanding of Human Resource Management and its essential role in a contemporary business environment is developed.
• The functions of Recruitment, Selection, Placement and Induction are defined, recognised and performed.
• Knowledge of labour practices relevant to Human Resource Management is demonstrated.
• Health, Safety and Welfare issues within the workplace are identified, monitored and evaluated.
• Internal and external customer relationships are effectively developed and a customer service strategy is planned and managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Effective communication skills are developed and modelled and documentation within the Project Management environment is efficiently managed.
• Time within projects is constructively assessed and managed.
• The cost and financial elements of projects within the business environment are managed.
• Knowledge of successfully managing risk within projects in the business environment is demonstrated.
• Quality, Monitoring and Control measures of a project within a business environment are interpreted and effectively designed.
• The success and completion of a project within the business environment is evaluated and professionally managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge of the principles of saving, investment and insurance in managing personal finance is demonstrated.
• Real estate, mortgage, and estate planning within a business and personal environment is comprehended and managed.
• Credit and debt management concepts are identified, interpreted and managed.
• Accounting principles and practices are identified and explained.
• Advanced financial statements within the business environment are prepared and analysed.
• Debtors and creditors ledgers and control accounts within the business environment are compiled and managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Knowledge of academic writing, information literacy and research skills is illustrated.
• Knowledge of research principles applicable within a business environment is demonstrated.
• Research methodology techniques are identified and described.
• The stages in the research process are understood and identified.
• A literature review relevant to a field of study is conducted.
• Knowledge of research principles and methodology in compiling a report is applied.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative modes of assessments are used. The following principles underpin the assessment practice

• Assessment practices are open, transparent, ethical, valid, objective and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged.
• The assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are integrated in the qualification.
• A variety of assessment methods will be used that are appropriate to the qualification.