Higher Certificate in Business Administration

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Business Administration is a generic qualification that is designed to equip learners with administrative knowledge and skills that are required to occupy entry-level administrative or support positions in the workplace. These skills are generic and essential for the smooth operation of all organisations in the private and public sectors as well as non-governmental/civic/not-for profit organisations. The eight modules in the qualification were coherently planned, in terms of content, credits, purpose and outcomes, so that they were aligned to the needs of all types of organisations for employees with administrative knowledge and skills.

As "business administration" is a broad category, there are many different administrative job titles. The entry-level or support positions may the performance of one or more of the following: general office management, liaising with clients, assisting an employer, clerical work (including maintaining records and entering data), management of office equipment, maintaining a clean and enjoyable working environment, handling external or internal communication or management systems, and organising, and arranging and coordinating meetings.

Rationale

According to the National Development Plan (NDP), education is the critical enabler for economic development and growth in South Africa; it also defines the learners' identity; enables them to take control of their own lives; raise healthy families, and plays a meaningful role in the broader development of our society. Thus, the Higher Certificate in Business Administration will improve the employment prospects, including self-employment prospects, of the qualifying learners, and will contribute towards meeting the needs of commerce, industry and civic organisations for employees at entry-level or support positions with administrative knowledgeable and skills, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development and growth of the country.

The Higher Certificate in Business Administration will also promote access to a tertiary qualification for those Grade 12 learners whose examination results do not meet the minimum admission requirements for a Diploma or Degree qualification. The qualification will also allow a significant number of persons in employment or self-employment an opportunity to acquire a formal tertiary qualification, as the qualification will be offered on a part-time basis. Moreover, upon completion of the Higher Certificate in Business Administration, learners will be able to articulate into Diploma in Management Sciences with a specialisation in Business Administration, or into other cognate Advanced Certificate and Diploma qualifications offered by other higher educational institutions.

The qualification was also developed with a view to providing learners with an opportunity for vertical articulation, and, upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to articulate into cognate NQF 6 qualification, more especially, the Diploma in Management Sciences, with specialisation in Business Administration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An RPL policy is in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting extensive work-based learning.

Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the relevant academic department for evaluation. The department's RPL committee will assess the learners' portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes and credits/exemption may be granted for modules in the qualification and/or admission may be granted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC) without endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
• Financial Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Business, 20 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Business Administration, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Law, 16 Credits.

1. Discuss and apply the concepts, terms and principles of business administration.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and financial management principles and concepts applicable to businesses in South Africa.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of business enterprises and the principles and practices applicable to the operation of a business enterprise.
4. Communicate information clearly in the business context, using appropriate technology, language, structure and style.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The role of the administration function within an organisation is outlined, and the relationship between the administrative function and the other functions in an organisation are clarified.
• The characteristics of an efficient information system and the importance of information in decision-making are discussed.
• Guidelines for conducting effective meetings are identified and applied.
• The principles of office design and layout are identified and applied.
• The principles and procedures for planning, organising and controlling the administrative functions in an organisation are discussed and applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The framework of the South African legal system is outlined.
• The principles applying to specific types of business contracts are explained.
• The key provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment and the Consumer Protection Act are discussed.
• Gross and net profit for an elementary business are calculated, and an elementary balance sheet is drawn up.
• The principles of financial management are applied in a personal and business context.
• The break-even point for an organisations is calculated.
• Strategies to reduce debt and build assets are analysed and discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The differences between the various forms of business ownership and the advantages and disadvantages of each form of ownership are explained.
• The nature and role of the functional departments within an organisation are discussed.
• The impact of the micro, macro, and market environment on the operations of an organisation are discussed.
• The managerial functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling are described.
• The concept of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship process is explained.
• The characteristics of entrepreneurs, and the challenges facing entrepreneurs in South Africa are discussed.
• A business plan is developed.
• The importance of ethical business practices are discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The barriers to effective written and verbal communication are discussed.
• The strengths and weaknesses of various communication channels used to communicate with relevant stakeholders are evaluated.
• The key elements of an effective presentation are identified and applied.
• Appropriate software programmes are used to communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders and to prepare business documents.

Integrated Assessment

Aligned to the institution's Assessment Policy, regarding integrated assessments for the Higher Certificate in Business Administration:

• The assessments will be aligned with the stated Exit Level Outcomes for the qualification.
• Appropriate assessment tools will be used to establish that learners have achieved the stated Exit Level Outcomes.
• Assessment will be systematic, regular and formative, and feedback to the learners about their progress toward exit level competence will be timeous and constructive.
• The assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable, and ensure that no student is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

Foundational knowledge embedded in the fundamental modules, which are offered in the first semester, will be integrated into the assessments for the core modules in the qualification which are offered in the second semester. The integrated assessments will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and may include written tests; assignments, and examinations.