SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
79326  Bachelor of Commerce Honours 
ORIGINATOR
Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree is a one year programme that seeks to develop leadership capacity in managers. The focus of this degree is to improve the practice of management and leadership in the commercial sector. It is directed towards persons who hold or are aspiring to hold management responsibilities within commercial institutions.

The Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree enables learners to develop integrated functional and reflective competencies in general management by examining issues relating to Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Strategic Management and Financial Management, as well as undertaking business research directed towards commerce and industry.

A learner attaining the Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Hons) degree will be able to:
  • Apply communicative and numerical skills as lifelong learners and researchers.
  • Competently plan, design and reflect on the areas of management.
  • Read academic and professional texts critically.
  • Apply the skills of rational argument, judgement, planning, and decision-making analysis to complex management problems.
  • Recognise and respond effectively to social, economic, technological, financial and political change within commercial organisations in their national and international settings.
  • Produce and present clear management plans and reports.
  • Critically evaluate the management plans and reports.
  • Analyse, interpret and make decisions from data contained in the financial statements of commercial institutions.

    Rationale:

    The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) seeks to provide students with cutting edge advanced management skills by exposing them to the functional areas of commerce at a post graduate level, thereby ensuring that students are prepared for the challenges of the global economy.

    It is the intention to produce analytical and research orientated practitioners for the workplace. The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) curriculum is designed with a strong research focus enabling students to apply the acquired research knowledge and skills to their respective departments or organisations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner:
  • Is proficient in the language of instruction.
  • Is able to conduct research.
  • Is able to work independently.
  • Has obtained general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 6.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Admission to this programme may be obtained through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning in keeping with the RBS Recognition of Prior Learning policy.

    This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification, it is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of an examination of their Curriculum Vitae (CV). Such 'non-standard' candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/companies.

    Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating 'non-standard' applicants include:
  • The applicants' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies.
  • Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references.
  • The nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
  • Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered and standard achieved.
  • The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.
  • The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the programme.

    Access to the Qualification

    Admission to the Bachelor of Commerce Honours is determined by the following criteria:
  • Possession of a three year Bachelors Degree or a qualification equivalent to M+3 at NQF Level 6.

    OR
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entry criteria may apply for admission through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Bachelor of Commerce Honours is a 120 credit qualification with all learning at NQF Level 8.

    The Qualification consists of the following components (modules):

    Compulsory Components:
  • Management, 20 credits.
  • Marketing Management, 20 credits.
  • Human Resources and Labour Relations Management, 20 credits.
  • Business Research, 10 credits.
  • Research Project, 30 credits.

    Elective Component:

    Learners are to choose one of the following Electives each of which is worth 20 credits:
  • Investment Management.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.
  • Purchasing Management.
  • Operations Management.
  • Healthcare Management.
  • Financial Management. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    A learner attaining the Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Hons) degree will be able to:
  • Display knowledge of management in general.
  • Analyse and solve managerial problems.
  • Demonstrate competency in the management of a private enterprise, departments or sections to the benefit of all stakeholders in a multi-cultural business environment.
  • Interpret and critically evaluate evidence objectively.
  • Recognise and respond to change within organisations.
  • Demonstrate competency in the execution of the tasks of planning, organising, leading and controlling in the different fields of strategic management, marketing, finance, human resources, research and operations management.
  • Demonstrate competencies in research including data collection, analysis, interpretation and making recommendations.
  • Display research and communication skills. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Exit Level Outcomes are assessed in the context of the individual modules as follows:

    Module 1: Strategic Management.

    At the end this module, a learner will be able to:
  • Explain the concepts of strategy in an organisational context.
  • Apply strategic management concepts within a business scenario.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the concept, nature and process of Strategic Management.
  • Evaluate the relevant macro-economic issues that determine the companies future business make-up.
  • Conduct a SWOT analysis.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the change management implications of new corporate strategies.

    Module 2: Marketing Management.

    At the end this module, a learner will be able to:
  • Prepare and present solutions to marketing based problems or issues, particularly in the marketing area through an evaluation of effective case study analysis.
  • Identify the problems situation for which the relevant marketing concepts and techniques were developed.
  • Apply the relevant marketing concepts and techniques to solve multi-faced marketing problems or issues.
  • Develop an in-depth knowledge of marketing and of the techniques associated with the field.
  • Explain the interface between marketing management and the environment.
  • Distinguish the composition of the marketing environment.
  • Analyse marketing opportunities.
  • Indicate how markets are segmented.
  • Suggest factors that should be considered when selecting a target market.
  • Describe positioning methods that marketers can pursue in practice.
  • Define the steps in the marketing planning process and develop integrated plans.
  • Develop appropriate marketing strategies.
  • Differentiate between different types of competition.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of technology behind the internet.
  • Use electronic marketing concepts to develop new marketing strategies.
  • Understand and explain the nature of services.
  • Identify major determinants of quality in services operations.
  • Analyse a service operation from a marketing perspective.

    Module 3: Human Resources and Labour Relations Management.

    At the end this module, a learner will be able to:
  • Define the sphere of responsibility of human resource management.
  • Explain the relationship between human resource strategy and business strategy.
  • Analyze flows of employees into and out of the organization.
  • Draw an HR plan for an organisation.
  • Describe the recruitment and selection process.
  • Undertake training needs analyses.
  • Develop an appropriate compensation system for small enterprise.
  • Differentiate between various performance appraisal techniques.
  • Determine basic benefits and services for employees.
  • Understand the impact of labour legislation in the human resource environment of the enterprise.

    Module 4: Business Research.

    At the end of the module learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of business research methods.
  • Identify and analyse a business research problem.
  • Distinguish between the various research paradigms, methods and designs.
  • Identify and define operational variables.
  • Write a research proposal.
  • Demonstrate a sound grasp of business research methods.
  • Undertake a literature review.

    Module 5: Research Project.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Produce an appropriate researched project plan.
  • Apply selected research techniques.
  • Collect data from various sources.
  • Critically evaluate, and draw from, the research of others.
  • Present a mini Dissertation of limited scope.
  • Assessment:
    > Assessed by a mini Dissertation.

    Module 6: Investment Management.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Analyse the prospects of an industry in relation to the underlying trend in the economy as a whole.
  • Analyse and interpret the financial statements of a company with the objective of determining the fair value of its share price.
  • Improve the risk return trade-off of a portfolio by security selection and market timing.
  • Evaluate the performance of portfolios by using equilibrium pricing relationships such as capital asset pricing model and the option pricing model.

    Module 7: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Define entrepreneurship.
  • Distinguish between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.
  • Outline the role of small businesses in the economy.
  • Draw up a business plan for an SMME.
  • Evaluate franchising as a means of entrepreneurial development.
  • Explain the approaches to entrepreneurship.
  • Explain why creativity and innovation are an internal part of entrepreneurship.
  • Describe the entrepreneurial process.
  • Discuss e-commerce and the entrepreneur.
  • Describe the different forms of intellectual property.
  • Explain the purpose and value of trademarks, copyrights and patents.
  • Display knowledge of forms of financing available to the entrepreneur.
  • Outline the marketing strategies available to a small business.

    Module 8: Purchasing Management.
  • At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Understand, analyse and evaluate the Supply Chain Management and Competitive Strategy.
  • Customer Fulfillment Strategies.
  • The New Product Development Process:
    > Management of the Idea Infrastructure.
    > The Order Fulfillment Process.
    > Management of the Physical Flow Infrastructure.
    > Global Supply Chain Design.
    > Supply Chain Cost Management, Core Competencies and Outsourcing.
    > Relationship Management, Information Sharing, Performance Measurement.
    > Barriers to SCM and Collaborative Innovation.

    Module 9: Operations Management.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Understand and describe the scope and nature of operations management functions.
  • Assess the requirements for making decisions related to each part of the operations function.
  • Make effective managerial decisions in order to ensure that effective utilization of resources is achieved.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how operations management decisions can influence the overall strategic objectives of an organisation.
  • Explain how effective operations strategies are developed.

    Module 10: Healthcare Management.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of health economic concepts and principles.
  • Critically evaluate national and provincial health policies.
  • Evaluate impact of policy on practices and resources.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of health economics concepts and principles.
  • Apply economic and financial analysis to provision of health care.
  • Contribute to health policy and planning decisions.

    Module 11: Financial Management.

    At the end of this module learners will be able to:
  • Elaborate on the scope and importance of financial management in business.
  • Explain the steps involved in financial planning.
  • Prepare company financial statements.
  • Analyse and interpret financial statements.
  • Recognise the importance of the management of working capital in a business context.
  • Describe the benefits of budgetary planning systems in a business context.
  • Identify the key motives for capital expenditure and apply the techniques and practices in making capital investment decisions.
  • Distinguish between different costing methods and utilise cost data in decision-making.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The assessment of students focuses on whether students are able to:
  • Apply communicative and numerical skills as lifelong learners and researchers.
  • Competently plan, design and reflect on the areas of business management.
  • Read academic and professional texts critically.
  • Apply the skills of rational argument, judgement, planning, and decision-making analysis to complex business management problems.
  • Recognise and respond effectively to social, economic, technological and political change within organisations in their national and international settings.
  • Produce and present clear business plans and reports.
  • Evaluate the business plans and reports.
  • Analyse, interpret and make decisions from data contained in the financial statements of commercial institutions.

    A combination of formative and summative assessments will be done which can take the form of assignments, test and examinations.

    The Business Research module will be assessed by the submission of a research proposal and the Research Project will be assessed by a mini dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The outcomes and assessment criteria, the degree of complexity and the notional learning time of this qualification have been benchmarked against a number of international programmes including those from the University of Luton. There is close alignment. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree articulates vertically into Masters Programmes in Business Administration. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • All examination question papers are externally moderated.
  • The minimum number of examination scripts sent for moderation is 20 or 20% of the total.
  • The project which comprises the mini dissertation is also externally moderated.
  • The Examinations Board approves both the appointment of moderators and final assessment marks. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To qualify as an assessor an individual must:
  • Generally have a Higher Education qualification at least one level higher than the course being assessed.
  • Be in the possession of qualifications that are relevant to the programme.

    The following criteria are used for appointing external moderators:
  • Their experience of examining similar programme.
  • Their independence from Regent Business School and from the programmes team.
  • Their expertise in the subject area.
  • Have a qualification at least one level higher than the programme being assessed. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.