Master of Commerce

The purpose of the qualification is to combine the development of specialised skills and knowledge, with research mastery, by following one of two routes:

A. M.Com (by dissertation), i.e. by research only, and

B. M.Com (by coursework and research report).

The qualifying M.Com graduate is competent in research and can apply specialised knowledge, tools and techniques in advanced discipline-based research and problem-solving. The qualifying learner has reached the educational requirements towards employment as a specialist and is capable of applying specialist knowledge and applying specialist tools and techniques to problems in the practice or research of commerce.

Formally Accredited Learning

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours or Bachelor of Economic Science with Honours of this University, or an equivalent University-approved qualification. The Honours qualification should be in an appropriate discipline and the applicant should have completed the degree at a level of achievement that would give the candidate a reasonable chance of reaching the specified outcomes in order to meet the requirements for registration for an M.Com - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

1. The qualifying learner completes a dissertation or research report.
2. The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialist knowledge to business, commerce, management and tax problems.
3. The qualifying learner is competent to perform high order problem solving techniques.
4. The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialised financial and business methods, tools and techniques of analysis.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 1, 2, 3 & 4.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 1 & 2.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1 & 3.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 1 & 2.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1 & 4.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 1 & 3.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

• (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 1 & 3.
• (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
• (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 1 & 3.
• (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 1 & 2.
• (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 1 & 2.

1. The qualifying learner

• identifies and formulates a research problem
• performs a critical and relevant literature survey
• executes and critically reviews research using an effective methodology in order to demonstrate research mastery
• assesses the significance of research findings
• writes the dissertation or research report in acceptable structure, style and language.

2. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• both knowledge and application of that knowledge in a specialised field
• competence in a specialisation which includes
• ability to work with others in a team
• showing initiative, and management of himself or herself in an effective and responsible manner
• effective communication in any medium
• ability to engage in lifelong learning and to hold lifelong learning as a professional value
• ability to apply for registration with a relevant institute in a specific profession.

3. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised approach to the solution of problems
• an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
• application of diverse knowledge to development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health, social and technological aspects

4. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised techniques to the solution of problems
• use of specialist business tools and techniques effectively and critically.

Integrated Assessment

Research reports or dissertations serve as the medium for integrated assessment. Assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks, as well as reports on research plans. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflexive competence. Furthermore in order to pass a course, and, finally, in order to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired.