Master of Commerce in Investments

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Commerce in Investments is to develop the learner's knowledge of the discipline of investments, wealth management, financial planning, property valuation and management and quantitative finance and to prepare the learner for a career in these fields. Mastering of the research process will enable learners to be prepared for the professional industry areas of investments, wealth management, financial planning, property valuation and management, and quantitative finance. The qualification emphasises competence, integrity, and application of ethics in a professional environment. The successful learner will gain a global and South African financial market perspective and an in-depth understanding of the marketplace which will provide them with a competitive advantage for employment.

Rationale

The rationale for the Master of Commerce in Investments (coursework) is to broaden the current academic offering of the Department of Finance and Investment Management in the College of Business and Economics in the investments and related fields, as part of its strategic development and brand management.

The qualification provides articulation for learners, from the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Investment Management, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Treasury Management, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Property Valuation and Management, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Planning and the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Quantitative Finance as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Markets. There is currently a large demand for learners to continue studying towards a Master's qualification in the Department of Finance and Investment Management. Learners from other academic institutions who meet the minimum admission requirements will also be considered. The qualification will provide the much needed investments, wealth management, financial planning, property valuation and management, and quantitative finance skills to the market and it will create an additional learning opportunity for learners with finance related backgrounds.

Learners who have completed Master of Commerce in Investments will be suited to a level of investment related areas of specialisation, such as Investment Management, wealth management, financial planning, and real estate type positions in the financial services industry. This is identified as a scarce skill.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prospective learners may apply for RPL by following the procedures as per the RPL policy document.

The university accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the university accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned to the qualification to promote lifelong learning.

The purpose of the university's RPL policy, is to recognise prior learning in order to provide for access into qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules on the principles and processes that serve as basis for the RPL practices.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Finance, NQF Level 8.
• A relevant Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 145 Credits

• Financial Statement Analysis, 15 Credits.
• Investment Analysis and Management, 15 Credits.
• Financial Modelling of Assets, 15 Credits.
• Research Principles: Investments, 15 Credits.
• Governance and Regulations in Financial Markets, 10 Credits.
• Investment Sustainability, 15 Credits.
• Research Project: Investments A, 30 Credits.
• Research Project: Investments B, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, 35 Credits (Choose one module of 15 Credits and two modules of 10 Credits)

• Risk Analysis and Management, 10 Credits.
• Corporate Real Estate Management, 15 Credits.
• Personal Wealth Management, 15 Credits.
• Stochastic Calculus and Quantitative methods, 15 Credits.
• Risk Analysis and Management, 15 Credits.
• Real Estate Investment Analysis, 10 Credits.
• Risk and Corporate Planning, 10 Credits.
• Programming and Advanced Numerical Methods, 10 Credits.
• Fund Management, 10 Credits.
• Real Estate Development, 10 Credits.
• Integrated Wealth Planning, 10 Credits.
• Applied Computational Finance, 10 Credits.

1. Solve theoretical, applied or real life investment problems.
2. Evaluate key aspects and implications of specified systems, situations, sustainability, specified bodies of content and the effect in the investments industry.
3. Work in groups and self-organise in the face of continual challenge from the financial market environment.
4. Engage in own learning and learning strategies, and awareness of the nature of knowledge and how new knowledge can be acquired.
5. Use scientific paradigms and methods in scientific concepts and their changing nature.
6. Conduct her/himself as independent learner and practitioner.
7. Conduct research which applies investment theory and practice in a financial markets setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Examine multiple options of applying and integrating investments problems.
• Demonstrate knowledge to correctly solve the range of investment problems.
• Apply knowledge to integrated investment problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate key aspects and implications of specified systems, situations, sustainability, specified bodies of content comprehensively.
• Assess the effects in the investments industry critically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate reflection with self and others, (critical of own and other people's thoughts and actions) in the quality of their required submissions.
• Self-organise and work in groups in the face of continual challenges from the financial market environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate consciousness of, and engagement with, own learning and learning strategies in assessments and assignments.
• Demonstrate awareness of the nature of knowledge.
• Utilised new knowledge acquired in the financial market environment in context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Clearly discuss the importance of methods in scientific concepts and their changing nature.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Draw upon multiple knowledge aspects and apply the content and principles in assignments and assessments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Provide an overview of different types of scholarly research, including in particular quantitative and qualitative research design and corresponding methods, and develop an appreciation of the scholar's relative strengths or constraints.
• Complete a substantial written research project which investigates pertinent contextual issues relating to the application of investments and the financial markets setting.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment process is governed by the Academic Regulations of the institution. There will be at least one assessment opportunity before the final summative Assessment for each coursework module. The elements of integrated assessment include the formative and summative assessments:

Formative Assessment: the coursework components consists of different forms of formative assessments consisting of project reports, case studies, assignments etc., depending on the nature of the module.

Summative Assessment: For the coursework component, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module.

For the dissertation component, two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor - a full-time academic staff of the institution and the other, an external assessor. The assessors are appointed by the Faculty on the basis of their scholarship and expertise.