Higher Certificate in Legal Aspects of Business

Purpose

This qualification is designed to enhance the employability of learners by equipping them with basic legal and administrative knowledge and skills, which will enable them to occupy entry-level positions in both the private and public sectors. When designing the qualification, care was taken to ensure that the nine modules were coherently planned, in terms of content, credits, purpose and outcomes, and that they were aligned to the needs of industry and the economy.

Rationale

By offering this qualification, access to higher education is broadened, and the employment prospects of the qualifying learners are improved as financial considerations preclude a significant number of learners from studying full-time for a three-year qualification.

In addition to the above, the qualification is offered on a part-time basis, and this will allow a significant number of people who are in full-time employment and who wish to acquire a formal tertiary qualification, which is offered via contact classes, on a part-time basis, and which can be completed in one calendar year, an opportunity to do so.

The qualification was also designed to facilitate vertical articulation into the Diploma in Management Sciences, specialising in Business Law.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has a RPL policy in place that allows candidates access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting one's work- based learning. Challenge assessments, in the form of written examinations will be conducted, wherein candidates will have to demonstrate competence at the applicable exit level. Successful candidates will then be accepted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC).

Or

• Senior Certificate.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules: 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 Law, 16 Credits.
• Law for Life, 8 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Business Administration, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Specific Contracts, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Entrepreneurial Law, 16 Credits.

1. Discuss and apply fundamental knowledge of business administration.
2. Understand the basic concepts of law relevant to business operating in South Africa.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic accounting practices and financial management principles and practices.
4. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of business enterprises and the basic principles and practices applicable to the operation of a business and the formation, administration and winding up of companies in South Africa.
5. Communicate information clearly in the business context, using appropriate technology, language, structure and style.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Outline the role of the administration function within an organisation.
• Clarify the relationship between the administrative function and the other functional areas in an organisation.
• Discuss the characteristics of an efficient information system and the importance of information in decision-making.
• Identify and apply guidelines for conducting effective meetings.
• Identify and apply the principles of office design and layout.
• Discuss and apply the principles and procedures for planning, organising and controlling the administrative functions in an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Outline the basic framework of the South African legal system.
• Describe law and other forms of social control.
• Describe the legal principles affecting the status of a person.
• Describe the purpose and function of civil and criminal law.
• Explain the basic principles applicable to specific types of business contracts.
• Explain the key provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment.
• Discuss the key provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
• Explain the legal implications of using various negotiable instruments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Calculate gross and net profit for an elementary business.
• Draft an elementary balance sheet.
• Apply the basic principles of financial management in a personal and business context.
• Calculate the break-even point for an organisation.
• Analyse and discuss strategies to reduce debt and build assets.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain the differences between the various forms of business ownership and the advantages and disadvantages of each form of ownership.
• Discuss the nature and role of the functional departments within an organisation.
• Discuss the impact of the micro, macro, and market environment on the operations of an organisation.
• Describe the managerial functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
• Describe the legal principles relating to the formation and administration of companies.
• Describe the legal principles pertaining to company securities and the winding up and liquidation of companies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Discuss the barriers to effective written and verbal communication.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various communication channels used to communicate with relevant stakeholders.
• Identified and applied the key elements of an effective presentation.
• Use appropriate software programmes to communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders and to prepare business documents.

Integrated Assessment

Foundational knowledge embedded in the fundamental modules offered in the first semester will be integrated into the assessments, formative and summative, for the core modules in the qualification which are offered in the second semester. Such assessments will include assignments, tests and examinations.