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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101554  Bachelor of Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
University of Mpumalanga 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 this qualification is to provide the learner with a good academic grounding in the major subject areas of commerce and with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attitudes to respond to the need for effective management of public and private business enterprises. Furthermore, The Bachelor of Commerce is designed to equip learners with the analytical, communication and problem-solving skills that will enable them to effectively identify issues, source information and find efficient and practical solutions.

At the end of this qualification, a learner will be able to:
  • Effectively manage resources at their disposal according to contemporary economic, business management and technological trends.
  • Carry out research with a view to finding solutions to contemporary problems affecting business development at various scales.
  • Appreciate complex relationship between the national economy and global economic trends.
  • Have acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes for pursuing further studies in Commerce.

    The curriculum provides for specialisation up to third year level in two or more of any of the following fields: Accounting, Economics, Management, Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management and Entrepreneurship. The combination of industrial psychology with commerce subjects is suitable for candidates interested in personnel management or industrial relations.

    Rationale:
    The Bachelor of Commerce offers relevant regional and global perspectives on business, providing the skills, knowledge and experience needed to pursue a career within the business, government and not-for-profit sectors. The focus of this qualification is on the factors that drive economic behaviour at both an individual and organisational level. It is structured to reflect the changing world of commerce and to provide a firm foundation for the world of work, including the necessary skills, ethical principles and general knowledge needed for decision-making in a business environment.

    This qualification is the first general qualification in commerce and business at the institution and will support the more focused Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management. The interdisciplinary nature of this qualification and the range of subjects available allow a learner to select subjects for which they have an ability and which will assist them to prepare for their career of choice. The inclusion of Industrial Psychology and HR Management at each level recognises the importance of managing people, and of management processes generally, and learners who select this subject will learn about the importance of human and labour factors in organisations including the structure, design and culture of organisations; management theory; policies and practices; and employment relations issues both locally and internationally. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The Institution 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 Institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning that is aligned to qualifications and award credit (through Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the Institution's RPL and CAT policy is to Recognise Prior Learning in order to provide for admission to qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules using the principles and processes that serve as basis for RPL practices.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate granting admission to Bachelor studies and with appropriate subjects. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 2 compulsory modules at Level 5 and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 60 Credits:
  • Economics 1, 30 Credits.
  • Theory of Finance, 15 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 5, 60 Credits (select two):
  • Accounting 1, 30 Credits.
  • Management 1, 30 Credits.
  • Commercial Law 1, 30 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 1, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits (select three):
  • Economics 2, 40 Credits.
  • Accounting 2, 40 Credits.
  • Management 2, 40 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 2, 40 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship 2, 40 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits (select two):
  • Entrepreneurship 3, 60 Credits.
  • Accounting 3, 60 Credits.
  • Management 3, 60 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology/Human Resource Management 3, 60 Credits.
  • Economics 3, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate knowledge and skills from major study fields (major subjects) and use the additional knowledge and skills provided by the support subjects.
    2. Understand the contested nature of knowledge that advances through research.
    3. Undertake to identify problems, select an appropriate research method from a range of methods, collecting and analysing data and in academic communication.
    4. Consider any ethical implications of the research and respond accordingly.
    5. Collect and collate information from a range of sources, the management of that information, and the communication of the results in spoken and written forms.
    6. Understand a variety of contexts and systems and will be able to work in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome1:
  • Incorporate in depth knowledge of the major subjects into all assignments.
  • Demonstrate a very high level of knowledge and understanding in the major subjects is and in two independent research projects.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • All written work demonstrates an increasing familiarity with academic discourse in the humanities.
  • Test and challenge dogma by becoming familiar with the academic discourse that is typical of studies in commerce.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Formulate research questions.
  • Select appropriate methodologies.
  • Collect, analyse and synthesise data, and present it in written and verbal form.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Deal with ethical considerations fully.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Use available tools for accessing, processing and managing information in commerce and evaluate and used information appropriately.
  • Compare available qualitative and quantitative tools for data analysis to appropriately to address the question.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how contexts differ and how they have developed.
  • Demonstrate the ability to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar with confidence.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment serves multiple purposes including allowing staff to monitor learners' progress, and determining the extent to which the learner is achieving the stated outcomes.

    Assessment will be integrated into the curriculum and will include a balance of formative and summative tools. In the first year, testing will be regular and learners will be encouraged to understanding that this is a tool by which they should judge their own progress. First tests will be scheduled early enough in the term to allow staff to identify students at risk. Essays and assignments will be used throughout the three years with increasing emphasis in year two and three, to provide opportunities to continue to develop and monitor the development of their writing skills. The third-year research projects will be assessed through an oral seminar presentation and final written report. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following qualification:
  • Australia, Macquarie University offers Bachelor of Commerce. This qualification includes core modules such as economics, accounting, management and some quantitative module.

    At Macquarie University, Kingston University and University of Westminster, the core subjects taught in first year are similar to those that will be offered at this institution. Some of the international universities include marketing in this Degree but is not be offered in this qualification. Most, but not all universities include industrial psychology or Human Resources (HR) management from first year. Few of the compared institutions include modules in commercial law however; it is believed that this is a crucial subject at least at first year level.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the international qualification offered in Australia and in the UK. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers only horizontal specific articulation opportunities with a qualification offered by the University of Mpumalanga, It is:

    Horizontal with:
  • Bachelor of Development Studies, ID: 99025, Level 7.

    There is no vertical articulation into this qualification but there will be vertical articulation into an Honours. 
    		•

    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 Mpumalanga 


    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.