Diploma in Business Management

Purpose

Business Management is an important component in commerce. In order for South Africa to remain globally competitive, it is imperative to increase the supply of qualified learners with middle-higher-order management capabilities.

The qualification is aimed at ensuring that learners are

• Equipped with the knowledge, theory, skills and methodology intrinsic to the Business Management environment.
• Enabled to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional or academic context where application of the principles and theory are emphasised.
• Eligible to apply for opportunities in the labour market, professional training, graduate study, or professional practice in a wide range of careers within civil society, the public or private sectors.
• Developed to levels of intellectual independence which facilitates access to the world of work and promotes critical and analytical citizenship.
• Provided with higher order capabilities to grow the economy, to advance social transformation, and to remain regionally relevant and globally competitive.

Rationale

This Qualification was developed in response to the workplace need for competent managers across all economic sectors. The current and future needs for competent entry, junior and middle managers have been expressed by employers and employees. The skills, knowledge, attitudes and values required by managers are captured in this qualification by offering good breadth of knowledge on the important topics combined with appropriate occupational and professional contextualisation for its intended purpose. The successful completion of this qualification may increase the learner's employability as a:

• Field or Floor Supervisor, Assistant Manager or Manager.
• Store or Department Supervisor, Assistant Manager or Manager.
• Customer Relationship, Key Account Supervisor, Assistant Manager or Manager.
• Junior Researcher, Analyst, Business Advisor or Consultant.
• Service, Sales or Product Representative Assistant or Assistant Manager.
• Small Business Manager or Owner.

It is assumed that learners are competent in

• Communication with English at NQF Level 4.
• Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Admission to this qualification may be obtained by learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• Credit towards the qualification may be granted where competency in a specific component can be established by means of portfolios or other forms of appropriate evidence which may include, verified accounts of previous relevant work done and performance records.

Access to the Qualification

To gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have one of the following

• National Senior Certificate, granting access to Diploma studies.
• National Certificate (Vocational), at NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.
• Senior Certificate with Matriculation exemption.

The qualification consists of the following 24 compulsory modules at the NQF Levels indicated, totalling 374 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Business Management, 16 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Company Law, 8 Credits.
• Socio-Economics, 14 Credits.
• Brand Management, 10 Credits.
• Computer Literacy I, 8 Credits.
• Applied Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Psychology, 10 Credits.
• Computer Literacy II, 8 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5 = 106.

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Financial Management I, 30 Credits.
• Business Management, 30 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Company Law, 14 Credits.
• Project Management II, 12 Credits.
• Project Management III, 16 Credits.
• Socio-Economics, 14 Credits.
• Financial Management II, 16 Credits.
• Brand Management, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Psychology, 14 Credits.
• Applied Research, 14 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 14 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 6 = 206.

Modules at NQF Level 7

• Business Management, 30 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Financial Management, 16 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 7 = 62.

1. Apply general business principles to real life situations and interpret economic realities of local and global communities.
2. Manage financial and technology resources in organisations.
3. Analyse data and brand information.
4. Demonstrate entrepreneurial and project management skills.
5. Identify the socio-economic needs of society and display cultural sensitivity within organisations.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded in the qualification and will be assessed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The business management function and scope according to the fundamental general management practices are understood.
• The core general management practices in a business context are applied.
• Relevant ethical practices are complied with.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Basic financial accounting practices, financial management principles, e-commerce and securities principles are applied in own work context.
• End-user computing practices are applied and competency in both hardware and software information technology suites with regard to the office environment is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Brand management, with a particular emphasis on the principles and methodologies associated with brand building strategies, brand equity and the measurement of brand value are discussed.
• Knowledge and understanding of the scope of brand management and the core brand management practices is demonstrated.
• Information and research data for business management purposes are managed and interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The knowledge and skills associated with entrepreneurship in a commercial context are applied.
• The project management scope with regard to initiating, planning and executing the overall project from conception to closure is explained.
• A project is planned and managed and proficiency in project control, evaluation and scoping operational plans, demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The principles and theories of individual, social and organisational behaviour are differentiated.
• Conflict handling, motivational skills and cultural sensitivity within professional environments are demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment is essential to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved in relation to its propositional and declarative knowledge, vocational relevance, reflexive competency and Critical Cross-Field Learning Outcomes.

Formative assessment integrates the cycle of teaching and learning, and assessment. Study guides and texts contain self-assessment exercises. The scheme of work includes formal assessments in the form of tests and/or assignments based on the learning material and learners are graded and provided written feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited in the number of outcomes assessed.

Summative assessments are in the form of proctored examinations, or equivalent assessment such as a research report which assesses a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a full course.