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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105203  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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  Level 8  NQF Level 08  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   2031-06-30  

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:
This purpose of this qualification following on the Bachelor's Degree, this is a first Postgraduate specialisation in the field of Business, Commerce and Management Studies and aims to develop students with an increased measure of intellectual independence through an advanced level of theoretical and practical engagement.

The purpose of the qualification is two fold into:
  • The qualification that aims to prepare Honours students for research-based Postgraduate study in Business Management by including a discrete research component in the curriculum; and
  • A qualification that aims to consolidate and deepen the student's knowledge and expertise relating to advanced contemporary business management theories and practices, and to develop appropriate applied competence to meet the need of the South African economy for well-qualified and competent business managers. As a result, the graduates will enter the business environment as well-rounded corporate citizens capable of gainful economic activity, mindful of their social and environmental.

    Rationale:
    The rational for this qualification is to strengthen the pool of specialised entrepreneurs, managers, decision makers, advisors, professionals and researchers active in the economic life of South Africa in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and value-adding economic and scholarly activity is widened. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    All RPL applications will be considered according to Nelson Mandela University (NMU) RPL policy.

    The minimum requirement for admission is:
  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 80 Credits:
  • Business Research, 10 Credits.
  • Treatise, 30 Credits.
  • Advanced Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
  • Corporate Citizenship, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules:
  • Investment Management, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Strategic and International Marketing, 20 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Financial Management, 20 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. In-depth knowledge of contemporary theories, concepts and methods in the fields of Strategic Management and Corporate Citizenship, and the competence to apply such knowledge and methods to business-related managerial problems and cases with full cognisance of the social, ethical and environmental implications of decisions and/or actions and/or recommendations.
    2. Engage in independent learning and research activities by conducting relevant research on a selected business-related topic while adhering to appropriate research principles and protocol and applying appropriate research methods and analytical techniques.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve unfamiliar problems in selected specialised fields of business management by applying business management knowledge, techniques and processes, and critically cross examining and evaluating multiple sources of knowledge.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to propose and review creative solutions to business-related challenges, both orally and in writing, to wider stakeholder and interest groups. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Outline and describe the relationship that exists between the internal workings of a business together with its various functional subcomponents and the surrounding business environment, including key factors such as leadership, business agility, programme, performance and partner synergy, as well as the integration of social, ethical and environmental measures vital to the successful functioning of any business.
  • Identify key business strategies, related to and aligned with key business processes and relevant resources with the purpose of improving the overall performance of the business with specific reference to financial, market and business indicators.
  • Make decisions based on relevant data, functional and strategic business both independently and as member of a team and the impact of such decisions on other aspects or areas of the business are determined.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    1. Identify and formulate a pertinent business-related research problem, question or issue related to any of the subfields of Business Management, Administration and Operations, or independent research conducted by applying appropriate research protocols, methods and analytical techniques, which includes:
    > A literature searches that contextualise and frames the research problem, question or issue and outline the area of investigation.
    > A theoretical framework for the research design and the identification, motivation and description of the most suitable method(s) of investigation.
    > A relevant data collected, analysed, processed and interpreted making use of appropriate data collection techniques, analytical tools and the appropriate software, the aim being to determine the impact of single deterministic and multiple deterministic variables on dependent variables.
    > A research report in a form of an academic treatise, meeting academic and scientific discourse and style conventions, is prepared and presented with well-formulated findings, conclusions and recommendations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate level-appropriate competence by identifying, contextualising, analysing and addressing typical challenges faced regularly by middle and senior level business managers in the identified fields, applying knowledge of relevant theories, principles, concepts, practices and techniques.
  • Evaluate options and strategies proposed and well-motivated recommendations that are made and communicated.
  • Show critical awareness by identifying and debating various schools of thought that result in different perspectives and approaches in dealing with typical managerial issues, such as individual business decisions, applications, strategies, as well as ethical and social considerations and responsibilities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Use information technology and its associated methods, practices and tools to compute, access, process, manage, store and manipulate information to enhance own and team productivity, with due consideration of the limitations of such packages and tools and the need for the verification of final results.
  • Communicate information effectively and timeously and with due consideration of cultural sensitivities to other team members involved in the business.
  • Maintain competence by staying abreast of the latest developments in business methods, practices, tools and information technology (the principle of life-long learning).
  • Conducted Diagnostic tests for business viability and the results are evaluated and coherently presented.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The research project is designed to be used for Integrated Assessment as knowledge from all aspects of the qualification is utilised.

    Assessment methods will include a combination of diagnostic and formative assessment tasks, assignments and progress checks that will inform teaching and learning. Case studies of Business Management and simulations will play a major part in the assessment process because a relevant case, scenario or simulation would closely represent the typical situations faced by business managers. Managers often have to sift through an excessive amount of information to glean the facts needed to make a decision, or they may not have enough information and fill in the blanks through educated guesses. In this process students learn how to function effectively in that type of decision-making environment. Formal assessment, some of which may also be based on case studies and/or scenarios, will consist of scheduled formal tests and written assignments that will encourage students to work consistently throughout the year. The formal tests and assignments will contribute 50% towards the final semester mark and the final examination a further 50%. Finally, three modules, deemed to be hands-on modules, namely Corporate Citizenship, Business Research and, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, will be assessed on a continuous basis without a final examination. For moderation purposes a portfolio of assessment tasks, one for each module, will be collated and submitted to the external moderator.

    All modules are Postgraduate exit level modules and therefore the university's policy with regard to examination and moderation applies. There is an established, monitored system of in-house moderation procedures for each assessment process where colleagues team up during oral assessments and cross check assignment, test and examination marks, including a remark of a percentage of script 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This structure and content of the qualification is covered at per with similar qualifications that are offered internationally, the examples are as follows:
  • University of Guelph, Ontario, in Canada offers a Bachelor of Commerce. The qualification offered by Canadian Universities like the University of Guelph is a four-year Honours qualification that covers management theory in some depth. The qualification is an eight semester Honours Degree for full-time student. The qualification is of an interdisciplinary nature and designed to give students a sound professional management education with a focus on specific industry sectors or management functions which prepare the graduates for positions of responsibility in particular areas of Management and Business.

    University of Queensland, in Australia offers a Bachelor of Honours in Business Management Students completing this qualification must complete a requisite number of courses.

    University of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia offers a Bachelor of Honours in Business Administration in Management and Entrepreneurship The qualification aims to provide an internationally recognised Degree in management and entrepreneurship to produce graduates with functional management skills, strong entrepreneurial spirit, exemplary leadership skills, high commitment towards pursuit of knowledge and excellence, and are innovative, socially responsible and good team players who are nationalistic and yet global in outlook and behaviour. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically:
  • A Master of Commerce at Level 9. 

  • 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.
     
    NONE 



    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.