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 in Law 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101041  Bachelor of Commerce in Law 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with integrated knowledge of the central areas of law and commerce, including the disciplines economics, business management, and accounting sciences. This includes an understanding of and ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories in the law and commercial fields.

The qualification prepares learners as potential commercial role players with a solid background in law, who can be trained further to the exact needs of the business and corporate world, and are able to start and manage their own enterprises. Moreover, the qualification provides qualifying learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to gain entry into the formal legal profession (e.g. Attorneys/Advocates) and other careers in law and related fields. The qualification also sets the foundation for advanced studies in law and/or commerce.

Rationale:
The importance of understanding the role and implications of law in the commercial world continues to grow. Given the critical role and intrinsic importance of law in the commercial and related professions, a legal education is important for all business persons to help them recognise and manage legal risks in business decision-making and to enhance their understanding of legal processes so that these processes can be used more efficiently and effectively in the commercial environment. The commercial world is being increasingly shaped and constrained by law. Thus, professionals in the field should have an integrated knowledge of law and commerce.

This qualification has been designed with more law modules and elective streams in Financial Accounting and Economics which results in a more than a 50% change in the current Degree. With the high number of registered learners, it is important to provide articulation routes.

This qualification takes into account the growing importance of understanding the role and implications of law in the commercial world. Given the critical role and intrinsic importance of law in the commercial and related professions, a legal education is important for business persons to help them recognise and manage legal risks in business decision-making and to enhance their understanding of legal processes so that these processes can be used more efficiently and effectively in the commercial environment. The learners with this qualification will be able to work in fields across the board, for example commerce, business, finance, government, insurance, logistics, entrepreneurs, auditors, risk and compliance, tax, financial accounting and law (especially in the fields of paralegal law). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
To either access this qualification or to obtain credits for modules, RPL is applicable.

Access:
All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the the university's RPL Policy. A learner may apply to access this qualification through RPL. They need to demonstrate that they have acquired the required knowledge and skills from a combination of:
  • Life and work experience.
  • Short courses or workplace training.
  • Community work in a relevant field.

    Module credits:
    The learner may apply for credits through RPL for modules already completed.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate with Degree endorsement, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Any relevant Higher Certificate, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits.
    Or
  • Any relevant Diploma, NQF Level 6, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 372 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5,108 Credits:
  • Introduction to Law, 12 Credits.
  • History of the Foundations of South African Law, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Persons, 12 Credits.
  • Social Dimensions of Justice, 12 Credits.
  • Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy, 12 Credits.
  • Economics 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting Principles, 12 Credits.
  • Business Management 1A, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 84 Credits:
  • Business Management 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Family Law, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Succession, 12 Credits.
  • General Principles of Criminal Law, 12 Credits.
  • Administrative Law, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurial Law, 12 Credits.
  • General Management, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6, 48 Credits (Select 4 in each stream):
    Optional Stream 1: Financial Accounting.
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting for Companies, 12 Credits.
  • Selected accounting standards and simple group structures, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Taxation, 12 Credits.

    Optional Stream 2: Tax:
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting for Companies, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Taxation, 12 Credits.
  • Enterprise Risk Management, 12 Credits.

    Optional Stream 3: Economics:
  • Economics 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Microeconomics, 12 Credits.
  • Macroeconomics, 12 Credits.
  • Enterprise Risk Management, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 108 Credits:
  • Law of Evidence, 12 Credits.
  • Civil Procedure, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Property, 12 Credits.
  • Law of Contract, 12 Credits.
  • Insolvency Law, 12 Credits.
  • Labour Law, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Planning, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Implementation and Control, 12 Credits.
  • Corporate Citizenship, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 7, 24 Credits (Select 2 in each stream):
    Optional Stream 1: Financial Accounting:
  • General Financial Reporting, 12 Credits.
  • Distinctive Financial Reporting, 12 Credits.

    Optional Stream 2: Tax:
  • Taxation of Business Activities, 12 Credits.
  • Tax Administration, 12 Credits.

    Optional Stream 3: Economics:
  • Monetary Economics, 12 Credits.
  • Public Economics, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the central areas of the fields and disciplines of law and commerce.
    2. Apply the cognitive and reflexive skills and values required in the fields of commerce and law.
    3. Select and apply the appropriate methods to investigate and resolve problems in the fields of law and commerce.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of the central areas of law and commerce in real or simulated factual scenarios.
  • Discuss and apply the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories in law and commerce fields within the relevant contexts.
  • Discuss detailed knowledge in the field of law and related to the field of commerce with practical examples and case studies.
  • Evaluate different types of knowledge and explanations in law and commerce through theoretical and practical assessments.
  • Present well-structured, theory-driven arguments, opinions and evidence-based solutions relating to law and commerce, showing an awareness of audience and using professional discourse appropriately.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate the relevance and applicability of various legal and commercial sources and authorities in terms of identified problems relating to law and commerce. Language use is consistent with the conventions in the disciplines of law and commerce.
  • Critically discuss terms, rules, concepts, principles and theories related to law and commerce.
  • Map new knowledge onto existing theories related to law and commerce.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate the ability to take decisions and act ethically and professionally by being able to identify problems and draw on appropriate ethical values and approaches relating to law and corporate citizenship.
  • Justify decisions and actions drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches within a supported environment through the application of relevant ethical approaches related to the context.
  • Solve practical problems from legal case law or jurisprudence and the commercial environment using appropriate methods and applying the principles and rules of law and commerce.
  • Select the most appropriate and authoritative legal and commerce related materials to solve identified problems relating to law and commerce.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of inquiry in law and commerce by exposure to a range of appropriate dispute resolution and problem solving methods.
  • Identify and apply appropriate methods of investigation to specific investigations to resolve law and commerce problems, and where relevant, change within a practice introduced.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Solve complex problems from legal case law, jurisprudence and the commercial environment using appropriate methods and applying the principles and rules of law and commerce.
  • Give evidence-based and theory-driven advice on an appropriate course of action in respect of law and commerce.
  • Select the most appropriate and authoritative legal and commerce related materials to solve identified problems relating to law and commerce.
  • Identify unfamiliar concrete and abstract legal problems and issues relating to law and commerce in real or simulated factual scenarios.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) and of the candidate's ability to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded, is required by means of comprehensive and Integrated Assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments). Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written and practical assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project.

    Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written non-venue based examination or portfolio in each module, which comprises the total summative assessment mark. The pass mark shall be a minimum of 50% acquired from both continuous and summative assessment in a proportionate ratio; 75% shall constitute a pass with distinction. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia:
  • Institution: Macquarie University.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Commerce.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in that it is offered as a double degree, equips the learners with a knowledge of legal principles, as well as the critical and analytical skills to apply those principles in a range of business contexts.

    Country: New Zealand:
  • Institution: University of Auckland.
  • Qualification Title: Business Law Degree.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    The New Zealand qualification is a three-year qualification that prepares learners for the demands of the business and legal worlds by focusing on the development of legal skills and acquiring knowledge of business structures and financial investments. Similar to the South African qualification, it combines a common set of study areas or modules, such as, Management, Law of Contract, Property Law, Business and Enterprise Law and Taxation.

    Country: Australia:
  • Institution: University of Queensland.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelors of Commerce/Law.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    In the Australia qualification, learners can elect as a major from Accounting, Management and Finance. The curriculum includes the legal subjects Corporations Law, Law of Contract, Law of Property, Labour Law, Family Law, Law of Succession, Legal History, Commercial Law and Unjust Enrichment which is similar to the South African qualification.

    Country: Australia:
  • Institution: University of Curtin.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Commerce: Commercial Law.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    The Bachelor of Commerce: Commercial Law prepares learners for the demands of the business world by combining theoretical and applied learning. As with the previous comparison, it combines a common set of study areas/modules, such as, Management, Law of Contract, Property Law, Entrepreneurial Law and Taxation, which are comparable with the South African qualification.

    Country: United Kingdom (UK):
  • Institution: Warwick University.
  • Qualification Title: Business-and-Law undergraduate Degree.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    This Business-and-Law undergraduate Degree is aimed at giving learners a firm grounding in the disciplines of law and business studies. It helps them to develop a critical understanding of both the legal framework of business activity and the economic and commercial context in which law operates.

    Conclusion:
    It is submitted that this qualification compares favourably with similar Degrees offered by overseas universities. All these qualifications are aimed at developing the learners' critical understanding of the business activities as well as the economic and commercial contexts in which law operates. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. University of South Africa 


    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.