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 Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109167  Bachelor of Commerce in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Commerce in Information Technology is designed to develop the knowledge and skills to meet the outcomes which are internationally and locally identified as critical for a career in this discipline. The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to follow a career in Information Technology specifically related to the design of business solutions, using technology, to address the skills demand in industry and to enable learners to enter the industry as business solution specialists.

The qualification will provide learners with a solid grounding in the key disciplines of Information Technology solutions, business analysis and solutions design. The qualification focuses on the analysis of business processes and operations in order to design information technology systems and solutions for business to align the business, organisational and information systems strategies for competitive advantage.

Rationale:
The requirement for the development of this qualification emanated from a market need indicating the scarcity of available information technology professionals, able to design and coordinate business solutions. Occupations within areas of business analysis and information systems management require skilled people to fill the acute shortage of qualified professionals.

The specific skills set covered in this qualification were identified by practising industry experts and comply with the need for Information Technology professionals focusing on business systems analysis and solutions. Learners will be well-positioned to add value to the establishment that employs them; to pursue further studies in this field; or enable them to work as entrepreneur business systems analysts, consultants or solutions specialists in the industry.

Information Technology is considered a business enabler and in that context the qualification will produce Information Technology professionals who are equipped to direct technology and Information Systems towards the achievement of organisational goals, such as the design of business Information Systems, adopting new or emerging technologies to improve or support work-flow, production, efficiency and effectiveness. Learners will function in industry as IT professionals who are able to solve business problems using technology. Career opportunities for graduates include: Information Technology Business Analyst/Manager, Business Systems Analyst, Solutions Architect, IS Consultant and Information Systems Architect. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition in the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learner' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. Recognition of credits may also be attained in the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Quantitative Skills for Commerce 131, 15 Credits.
  • Economics 131, 10 Credits.
  • Business Statistics 132, 15 Credits.
  • Principles of Business Management 132, 15 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy for Commerce 131, 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Information Systems 131, 15 Credits.
  • Economics 132, 10 Credits.
  • Introduction to Psychology in the Workplace 1312, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 142, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits:
  • Microeconomics 231, 10 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 231, 20 Credits.
  • Service Delivery Management 233, 20 Credits.
  • Information Systems Database Modelling 242, 20 Credits.
  • Business Information Systems 244, 20 Credits.
  • Marketing 231, 10 Credits.
  • Operations Management 233, 10 Credits.
  • Business Finance 235, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 60 Credits:
  • Information Systems Strategy 361, 30 Credits.
  • Architecture and Infrastructure 362, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules Level 7, 60 Credits (Select any two modules): Group A:
  • Enterprise Systems 341, 30 Credits.
  • Emerging Trends in IS 351, 30 Credits.
  • Research Methodology and Theories of IS 352, 30 Credits.
    Or
    Elective Modules Level 7, 60 Credits (Select one module from Group A and two modules from Group B): Group B:
  • Microeconomics 331, 15 Credits.
  • Macroeconomics 332, 15 Credits.
  • Strategic Management, 15 Credits.
  • Research and Communication for Business 314, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Articulate wide and general knowledge and understanding of the major key fields within the Information Technology discipline.
    2. Apply a deep understanding of the critical success factors of modern business.
    3. Ability to assess and evaluate business processes, functions and operations from a technological perspective.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to design or adopt and implement cost effective IT solutions to given or contextual abstract problems related to a business environment.
    5. Ability to perform requirements and gap analysis to help inform solution design.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to analyse business and corporate strategies in the context of information system strategy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Define current technical concepts and practices used in core information technologies are applied to business system.
  • Explain Systems life-cycle design criteria are applied in a solution design.
  • Information Technology practices and standards are identified in various business systems contexts.
  • Explain Economical and financial factors which may influence profitability and corporate economic well-being are identified.
  • Identify modern business principles, practices and processes.
  • Identify IT hardware, software and networking requirements for proposed solutions.
  • Design Implementation plans for new systems based on accepted project management principles.
  • Knowledge and understanding of IT systems security is demonstrated in terms of its application to various business processes and functions.
  • Perform gap analysis on business systems is demonstrated to achieve given business objectives.
  • Implementation and deployment plans are formulated for new systems.
  • The effect of information systems on the way a business operates is identified.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Continuous (formative) and formal (summative) assessments form part of the qualification. Continuous assessment involves the writing of tests and assignments, doing presentations and group discussions in the taught modules. Formal Assessment involves sitting for a final examination on each taught module at the end of the semester or year. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared with similar qualifications offered in other countries. A search on international related qualifications provided references to qualifications related to Business Information Systems as well as Bachelor in Commerce qualifications with an Information Systems' focus. It was evident from the results obtained that the interdisciplinary nature of the qualification is interpreted differently within various countries. The concept of a single qualification with the potential to be used across a range of sectors, i.e. private, public and non-governmental is common in the qualifications that were investigated.

    United Kingdom (UK):
    The Association of Business Executives in the UK indicates that its qualification recognises the importance of IT to business performance and the application of IT applications to improve business systems functioning. The qualification Advanced Diploma in Business Information Systems offer similar content to the qualification offered by the South African institution on key topics such as business management, but also includes system analysis and design. However, this qualification encompasses additional detail on inter alia management information systems, micro- and macroeconomics and IT risk management.

    The Bachelor of Business Information Systems from the Swinburne University of Technology compares very well this qualification in that it is offered over a period of three years and focuses on how people, information, computers, networks and processes come together to create cohesive business solutions. The qualification is structured with a core which provides an extensive education on information and business management, systems and applications. Similar to this qualification, the Degree has been developed to ensure that learners are well versed in business concepts, in understanding the role and contribution of technology systems in driving business goals and in managing technology systems in business.

    The Bachelor of Science Honours: Business Information Technology offered by the Southampton Solent University in Hampshire, focuses on the way businesses use ICT to undertake functions that are vital to achieving a competitive advantage. Similar this qualification, this qualification is highly vocational in context, focusing on topics related to marketing, finance, production and industry requirements. Even though this qualification is called Honours in Business Information Technology, it is offered over a period of three years with no prior qualification required to enrol for the qualification. Other commonalities with reference to the curriculum between the UWC qualification and this qualification include system analysis and design, introduction to programming and business problem solving.

    Australia:
    An analysis of qualifications referred to as Bachelors of Commerce to this qualification, identified a number of similarities. This qualification compares favourably with the three-year full time qualification Bachelor of Commerce offered at the University of Melbourne. This qualification combines a common core of specialist subjects, i.e. Accounting, Finance, Business Management and Marketing Business to train graduates in using IT applications for business advancements.

    New Zealand:
    The Bachelors of Commerce at the University of Auckland allows a wide choice of majors which provide preparation for a variety of employment opportunities in business with specific reference to the use of information technology in business. Modules similar to those offered in the South African qualification include information management and information systems. However, the emphasis of this qualification remains on the business applications with limited focus on the use of information technology applications to improve business systems.

    Conclusion:
    Based on the above comparison it is evident that the Bachelor of Information Technology in Business Systems by the South African institution complies with and provides more than is offered by international counterparts in the field of using information technology to advance business systems. The UWC qualification compares well with international standards, ensuring that graduates are indeed prepared to assist businesses to improve systems through effective and efficient IT application. 

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

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

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.