Master of Commerce

Purpose

The purpose of the development and implementation of the qualification is to

• Prepare learners with the necessary theoretical and practical business background and to expose them to advanced specific fields in the business world.
• Provide an opportunity to carry out rigorous research for business decisions.

The qualification provides training in the techniques of research, analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to the relevant discipline.

Rationale

The qualification will equip the learner with knowledge in the field of research and the skills necessary for employment. They can find employment in the discipline or a related field in the public or private sectors. Learners will also be able to embark on further independent research for the qualification of PhD at leading domestic or international universities. The rationale of the qualification is to:

• Create and provide a suitable postgraduate commercial qualification that provides upward mobility in the business and academic world.
• Allow learners to participate in most spheres of the economy.
• Allow learners with the qualification to further their studies at the doctoral level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an NQF Level 8 degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 90 Credits.
• Coursework, 90 Credits.

Or

Dissertation only qualification

• Full dissertation, 180 Credits.

• Demonstrate mastery of theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
• Demonstrate proficiency in research methodology sufficient to proceed to a PhD.
• Master the skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, collect and analyse data, and demonstrate effective written communication.
• Conduct independent research in the discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
• Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
• Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
• Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
• Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
• Master a body of knowledge within a specified area of the discipline.
• Master all relevant research techniques, both general and specific to a particular field of study.
• Summarise clearly, accurately and comprehensively all relevant aspects of academic debate.
• Relate or apply existing knowledge in novel contexts.
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge for teaching undergraduates.
• Undertake supervised research at the doctoral level.
• Make an expert contribution to the conduct of business in a particular area of economic activity.
• Understand and endorse the need for very high standards of rigour in academic research.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Be familiar with leading issues in their specialist field of study.
• Apply the techniques of Mathematical, statistical and formal logical analysis to a range of problems in the above fields.
• Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
• Prepare professional papers for peer review.
• Write research and funding proposals.
• Provide technical reports to professional audiences, including governments and businesses.

Integrated Assessment

Each module in the qualification in common with other qualifications in the faculty will comprise one long, or two medium, or three short essays or projects. Details are in the outlines supplied for each module. The assessment of the Research outcomes will use a dissertation 18,000 words which normally consists of a substantial piece of work which demonstrates skills of independent research, response to supervisor's comments, mastery of the theoretical base and scholarly literature of a field of study.

Assessment in the full dissertation research Master of Commerce qualification is using a supervised dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words.

All assessments and the dissertation are subject to external examination.

Research that involves human participants or the use of animals must undergo ethics review according to Faculty specific guidelines. Learners must ensure compliance with the Faculty Ethics in Research policy before engaging in any research.