Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice

Purpose

This Qualification is an entry level qualification which is vocational and industry orientated. It encapsulates introductory knowledge in the areas of general business administration and project management and will prepare the successful graduate for a junior position in the general business environment.

The cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques which are incorporated in this qualification will equip students to advance their studies in higher education and provide them with the basic business management skills needed for employment and progress in business administration.

In addition the inclusion of the Experiential Learning module provides the student with the basic practical knowledge which can be applied in an occupation or role in the workplace.

The purpose of this Qualification is to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills to either be employed in a small business or a large corporation. This qualification provides a broad introductory understanding of the establishment and management of a business, incorporating the following skills:

• Project Management.
• Administration.
• The ability to be employed in a computerized environment.

This programme provides both a practical and a theoretical foundation. Students acquiring the qualification will demonstrate competence at NQF Level 5 in the area of management and will develop a related range of fundamental and core competences.

To meet its objectives the qualification will include essential fundamental modules such as

• Business Communication.
• Business Calculation.
• End User Computing.

The inclusion of these modules creates a platform from which more career focused modules can be formed, preparing the students for the business environment. These modules include:

• Introduction to Pastel Accounting.
• Business Management.
• Introduction to Public Relations.
• Introduction to Project Management.
• Introduction to Ecommerce.
• Accounting A.
• Introduction to Pastel Accounting.
• Project Administration.
• Experiential learning (A module which will provide the students with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge developed in this programme in a simulated workplace environment).

Rationale

In designing the Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice at NQF Level 5, priority was given to the needs of the South African economy and the demand for qualified office administrators and project coordinators.

This qualification provides the basic skills required for employment in the business environment, whilst creating a learning pathway to successful candidates who did not initially meet the criteria for entry into diploma studies and continuation with further studies.

This programme also takes into account the need for computer literacy and the increasingly computerized environment that business operates in.

Successful graduates may find employment as

• Assistants to project managers.
• Project Coordinators/administrators.
• Managers' personal assistants.
• Office administrators.
• Payroll clerks and other positions in general administration.

This is an entry Level Qualification at NQF Level 5, as such there is no prior learning required other than a National Senior Certificate or learning associated with an NQF Level 4 qualification including a rating of 2 (30-39%) in English.

Recognition of Prior Learning

RPL for formal learning (credit recognition)

Students may apply for credits or exemptions for subjects already passed in-house or at other recognized institutions. The IIE RPL Policy (IIE010) and the IIE Academic Credit Policy (IIE004) guide this process.

RPL for informal and non-formal learning

Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competences acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the RPL process.

Access to the Qualification

Admission requirements for this programme are as follows

• National Senior Certificate with English (as a language of teaching and learning) with a rating of 2 (30-39%).
• Senior Certificate completed prior to 2008.
• Age of 23 at registration and three years appropriate work experience.

The IIE widens access to learning to these students by applying the minimum statutory entrance requirements. Furthermore students who do not meet all the stated entrance requirements may be granted Senate's Discretionary Conditional Exemption where justified.

Level: NQF Level 5.

Credits: 129.

Learning components

Fundamental learning (48 credits)

• Business Calculations.
• Business Communications C.
• End User Computing A.
• Experiential learning 1.

Core learning (81 credits)

• Business Management 1A.
• Business Management 1B.
• Introduction to Public Relations.
• Introduction to Project Management.
• Introduction to Ecommerce.
• Accounting A.
• Pastel Accounting.
• Project Administration.

The programme is Full Time/Part Time.

The minimum duration of the programme for Full Time (1 year).

The minimum duration for the programme for Part Time (2 years).

On achieving the qualification, a student will be able to

• Demonstrate effective use of a personal computer and associate equipment and software packages.
• Apply the basic principles of business management in a business environment.
• Apply mathematical skills in a business environment.
• Communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment.
• Explain the role and function of the Internet in a business environment.
• Explain and apply the basic principles of accounting in a computerized business environment.
• Explain and apply the basic principles of project management to perform related administrative functions.
• Explain the role, function and use of project management tools in a business environment.
• Explain the importance of the role and function of public relations in a business to support the effective management of projects with internal and external stakeholders.
• Document the output and communication of a project.
• Explain the role and value of administration to support management functions in a business context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• The effective use of a personal computer and associated understanding of relevant software packages in a business environment is demonstrated.
• Management functions and principles are accurately identified and applied in a business environment.
• Demonstrate the application of mathematical principles, concepts and skills in a business environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment.
• The role and function of the internet is clearly explained and the utilization of the internet as a marketing tool is identified.
• The basic principles of accounting and the associated understanding of accounting is explained and used to produce simple financial statements and reports.
• The role and function of project management tools is clearly explained and the skills required to use a project management tool is demonstrated.
• The importance, role and function of public relations in a business to support the effective management of projects with internal and external stakeholders is explained.
• A team's project and communication are adequately documented to meet administration needs.
• The role and value of administration to support management functions in a business context is explained and demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd practices a system of integrated assessment, in terms of which students are assessed using different methods and instruments allowing the illustration of applied competence across modules.

Assessment of competence is done via a fair, valid, reliable and transparent system of integrated formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures. The integrated assessment practice assesses the integration of theory with practice as well as the transfer of skills during the experiential learning component. These techniques thus assess applied competence, demonstrated understanding and achievement of outcomes.