Higher Certificate: Economic and Management Sciences

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners who do not comply with the minimum statutory or institutional admission requirements, for access to Diploma and Degree studies in the Economic and Management Sciences.

This qualification will introduce learners to elementary concepts and principles of Economics, Business Management and Accountancy. The qualification should also improve learners' basic proficiency in English, their general computer skills and their basic numeracy skills which are required for studies in the Economic and Management Sciences.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, competence and skills to work in the broad field of Economics and Management Science and to understand the world of work. This qualification should increase the employment opportunities for those obtaining it.

The learner is assumed to be

• Familiar with Economics either through his/her employment in such an environment, through the successful completion of an appropriate qualification at NQF Level 4, or through appropriate self study and or exposure to the sector.
• Competent in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the regulations of the Quality Council for Higher Education and the RPL Policy and the procedures of the University of South Africa.

RPL can be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It can also be used to grant learners credit towards the qualification.

Access to Qualification

Access to the Higher Certificate is granted to all applicants who are in a possession of one of the following

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
• A National Certificate Vocational ( NCV), NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
• A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
• Any Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC).

The Qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, each worth 12 credits

• English for Academic Purposes 1.
• Introduction to the Economic and Management Environment 1.
• Basic Numeracy 1.
• End-user Computing 1.
• Sustainability and Greed 1.
• English for the Economic and Management Sciences 1.
• Elementary Quantitative Methods 1.
• Economics 1.
• Business Management 1.
• Financial Accounting 1.

Total Credits for NQF Level 5: 120.

1. Demonstrate the ability to understand human behaviour and be able to deal successfully with interpersonal relationships within the workplace.
2. Demonstrate the ability to read critically with comprehension and insight, and apply language structures and conventions to their studies.
3. Demonstrate specific knowledge, skills and competencies related to basic decision numeracy in a business and personal environment.
4. Demonstrate specific knowledge and skills in the field of financial accounting.
5. Act ethically and professionally in an economic context.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Interpret knowledge as contested.
• Illustrate the ability to evaluate types of knowledge and explanations which are typical in the area of study.
• Demonstrate knowledge of methods to create good inter-personal relations with other staff members and ways to solve inter-personal problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Communicate ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional, and/or occupational discourse.
• Develop appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Different functions as applicable to economic problems are correctly performed.
• Solve constrained optimisation problems accurately.
• Create and solve a properly specified simultaneous equation with the use of matrix algebra.
• Solve everyday mathematical and financial problems by applying basic calculations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Collect and process the financial accounting data of an entity.
• Perform inventory management.
• Carry out year-end financial procedures and produce the relevant financial statements for a sole trader.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Operate a financial management system effectively based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements of the system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Take decisions and act ethically and professionally.
• Justify decisions made and actions taken drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches, within a supported environment.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and summative assessment is done to determine learners' progress and competence.