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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120480  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
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  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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
Registered  EXCO 01213/23  2023-02-02  2026-02-02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-02-02   2030-02-02  

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 
The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management is to equip learners with the necessary skills, knowledge, and training to develop these skills into competencies within the business and/or public domain. A qualified learner ought to be able to make decisions by assessing relevant information in a manner that provides an optimal solution within a changing business environment.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Analyse and apply management principles and theories.
  • Solve financial management problems.
  • Examine how the human resources procedures and policies are applied to enhance the human capital needs of the organisation.
  • Apply relevant employment legislation and industrial relations processes to various work contexts.
  • Develop a business plan and present this plan to financial institutions for financial planning purposes.
  • Implement a research design to solve a financial problem.
  • Interpret and communicate business research findings.
  • Develop a strategic marketing blueprint for an organisation by designing marketing strategies for specific marketing objectives.

    Rationale:

    There is a lack of appropriate management skills within the government and private sectors of the economy as evidenced by the request for greater enrolments in commerce qualifications by the Department of Higher Education and Training. The qualification will provide management, marketing, communication, and entrepreneurial skills for industries located within the region, nationally and for both private and governmental institutions.

    Qualified learners may be employed in marketing, finance, or retail management positions.
    The different learning experiences include learning to assess information from different sources, solve problems and present solutions to these problems. People skills and communication attributes are highlighted within the qualification.

    Benefits of the qualification:
  • The learner will benefit from gaining relevant skills to enter the workplace, and society will benefit from having qualified learners with the potential to start their own ventures, thereby becoming employers.
  • Society will benefit from having learners with the competencies required to manage private as well as public institutions competently and ethically at an intermediary level.
  • The economy will benefit from having human capital with the requisite skills of meeting the economic growth needs of the country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirements for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Operations, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Economics in Business Science, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 135 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 135 Credits
  • Financial Management, 15 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 20 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
  • Industrial Relations, 15 Credits.
  • Research Project, 40 Credits.
  • Strategic Marketing, 15 Credits.
  • Strategic Management, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical insight into modern conceptual, theoretical, and methodological approaches to business management.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the business management field and within broader or multidisciplinary contexts.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying, or transferring human resources and standard procedures and policies, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in the business management field to enhance the human capital needs of the organisation.
    4. Apply relevant employment legislation and industrial relations processes to various work contexts.
    5. Apply specialised skills to develop a business plan for financial institutions for financial planning purposes.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to operate effectively within a system, or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
    7. Demonstrate the ability to present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
    8. Apply a strategic marketing blueprint for an organisation by designing marketing strategies for specific marketing objectives. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Analyse and apply business management principles.
  • Identify and apply relevant management theories to the business environment context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify, contextualise, analyse, and address complex financial challenges faced regularly by middle and senior-level business managers in the identified fields.
  • Apply knowledge of relevant theories, principles, concepts, practices, and techniques to solve complex problems.
  • Apply appropriate financial management knowledge to solve business problems for the community and the country.
  • Apply different financial models to solve different financial situations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Examine the appropriateness of human resources practices for meeting business needs.
  • Apply appropriate human resources practices for meeting business needs.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Examine and apply relevant employment legislation to a case study.
  • Discuss industrial relations procedures required in a specific labour relations context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Design a business plan for a specific business idea.
  • Present a designed business plan to potential investors/panel.
  • Use a designed business plan for financial planning purposes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Identify a research problem.
  • Select and apply the appropriate research design to solve the business problem.
  • Identify and formulate a pertinent business-related research problem.
  • Conduct a literature search that frames the research problem or question or issue and or area of investigation.
    > Identify a theoretical framework for the research design and suitable method(s) of investigation.
  • Analyse the existing relationship between the internal workings of a business, the various functional subcomponents and the surrounding business environment, including key factors such as leadership, business agility, programme, performance, and partner synergy.
  • Integrate the social, ethical, and environmental measures vital to the successful functioning of a business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Collect and analyse the relevant data processed and interpret it making use of appropriate data collection techniques, analytical tools, and the appropriate software to determine the impact of single deterministic and multiple deterministic variables on dependent and independent variables
  • Prepare a scientific research report in the form of an academic treatise, meeting academic and scientific discourse and style conventions and present the well-formulated findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Communicate business research findings information effectively and timeously with due consideration of cultural sensitivities to other team members involved in the business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Identify key business strategies and align them to key business processes and relevant resources to improve the overall performance of the business with specific reference to financial, market and business indicators.
  • Draft a strategic marketing blueprint.
  • Implement different marketing strategies for different scenarios. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparison of the proposed Honours degree in Business Management was done with the Honours offered in Portsmouth and Suffolk. Internationally no separate Honours degree is offered but is offered as the third year of an Honours qualification.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Portsmouth
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Management
    Credits: 360
    Duration: 3 Years full-time / 4 Years with work placement

    Entry Requirements:
  • A levels - ABB-BBB
  • UCAS points - 120-128 points from 3 A levels or equivalent
  • T levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules, and each year carries 120 credits.

    Assessment:
    The qualification includes both formative and summative assessment methods.
    Online assessments and coursework learners may be assessed using the:
  • Practical exercises.
  • Written reports.
  • Presentations.
  • Portfolios.
  • Research proposals.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Portsmouth (UoP) and the South African (SA) qualifications are assessed through a combination of formative and summative assessment methods.
  • The following UoP's second- and third-year modules are comparable to the SA qualification.
    > Strategic Management, 20 Credits comparable to Strategic Management and Strategic Marketing in the SA qualification.
    > Managing Equality and Diversity at Work - 20 credits, comparable to Human Resource Management in the SA qualification
    > Discrimination and Conflict in Employment Law, 20 Credits, comparable to Human Resource Management in the SA qualification.
    > Project Management for Enterprise, 20 Credits comparable to Strategic Management in the SA qualification.
    > Human Resources for the Professional - 20 credits comparable to Human Resource Management in the SA qualification.
    > Awareness of Business, Money, Banking and Finance, 20 Credits comparable to Financial Management in the SA qualification.
    > Cross-Cultural People Resourcing, 20 Credits in the SA qualification Human Resource Management in the SA qualification.
    > Business Research Project (HRM, Marketing or Strategy), 20 Credits is comparable to Research Project in SA qualification.
    > Business Forecasting and Data Analysis, 20 Credits comparable to Financial Management in the SA qualification.
    > Financial Markets and Institutions, 20 credits comparable to Financial Management in the SA qualification.
    > Contemporary issues in Entrepreneurship - 20 credits, comparable to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the SA qualification.
    > Dissertation, 40 Credits is comparable to Research Project in SA qualification.

    Differences:
  • The UoP qualification takes three years full-time or four years with work placement; the SA qualification is offered in 1 year.
  • The UoP qualification requires applicants who hold the secondary school qualification or equivalent whereas the SA qualification requires candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in Business Management or equivalent.
  • The UoP qualification is weighted 360 credits, with each year having 120 credits while the SA qualification carries a minimum of 120 credits.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Suffolk
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Arts Honours in Business Management
    NQF Level: FHEQ level 6
    Duration: 3 years full-time or 4-9 years part-time
    Credits: 360 credits
    Entry Requirements:
  • 112 UCAS tariff points or above.
  • BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC).
  • Applicants are also required to have GCSE maths grade 4/C or above, or equivalent Level 2 qualification.

    Purpose:
    The BA (Hons) Business Management brings together degree-level education alongside professional practice. Learners who graduate from this programme will receive a BA (Hons) degree. It is designed to provide learners with knowledge, skills and experience in the main functions of business operations, leadership and management.

    The qualification prepares for a range of careers including working in major corporates, the public sector, small businesses and start-ups and charities. upon successful completion of specific modules on the BA (Hons) Business Management course. Learners will also achieve the ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management.

    Exit Level Outcomes:
    Upon the completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of Business Management, including the acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline.
  • Appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits of knowledge.
  • Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline.
  • Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts, and data, to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution, or to identify a range of solutions to a problem.
  • Devise and sustain arguments and/or solve problems using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline.
  • Describe and comment upon aspects of current research in the discipline.
  • Manage own learning and make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources.
  • Apply the methods and techniques acquired to review, consolidate, extend, and apply knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects.
  • Effectively communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate the possession of qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

    Learners who leave the qualification early may be eligible for a Diploma in Higher Education: Business Management on successful completion of 240 credits including all mandatory modules at levels 4 and 5, or a Certificate in Higher Education: Business Management on successful completion of 120 credits including all mandatory modules at level 4.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at levels 4, 5 and 6, totalling 360 credits with each year comprising 120 credits.

    Assessment:
    A variety of assessments will be used on the qualification to enable learners to experience and adapt to different assessment styles. Methods will be appropriate to each module's intended learning outcomes and are mostly coursework, consisting of essays, reports, presentations, group work, practical management and research projects, reflective journals as well examinations.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Suffolk (UoS) and the South African (SA) qualifications are registered at Level 6.
  • The UoS qualification is weighted 360 credits, with each year comprising 120 credits whereas the SA qualification carries a minimum of 120 credits.

    Both qualifications share the following similar purposes:
  • To provide learners with a systematic understanding of key aspects of business management through a coherent and integrated programme of study.
  • To develop a conceptual understanding that enables learners to devise and sustain arguments, use established techniques of analysis to solve problems and describe and comment on current research in business management.
  • To prepare learners for a career in business and/or management by developing personal and professional skills that will support communication, group interaction, information finding, analysis and problem-solving during the period of study consistent with the development of 'business-ready graduates.
  • To provide learners with a valuable and positive learning experience in their academic studies and provide the foundations for future learning, both professionally and academically.
  • To develop the interpersonal and transferable skills essential for personal and career progression.
  • The UoS and SA qualifications are assessed through formative and summative assessment methods.

    Both qualifications consist of the following similar compulsory modules.

    Third-year Compulsory Modules Level 6, 120 Credits:
  • Strategic Management /Human Resource Strategy 20 Credits compares with Strategic Management and Human Resource Management in SA qualification.
  • Dissertation, 40 Credits compares with Research Project in SA qualification.
  • Leading and Managing Change, 20 Credits compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.
  • Strategic Marketing: Planning and Management, 20 Credits compares with Strategic Marketing in SA qualification.

    Similar Level 5 compulsory and elective modules:
  • Extended Project /The Enterprising Graduate compares with Research Project in SA qualification.
  • Exploring Strategic Management compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.
  • Corporate Financial Strategy compares with Financial Management in SA qualification.
  • Managing HR Strategically compares with Human Resource Management in SA qualification.
  • Managing Brands compares with Strategic Marketing in SA qualification.
  • Understanding the Entrepreneurial Spirit compares with Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in SA qualification.
  • Accounting for Business compares with Financial Management in SA qualification.

    Differences:
  • The UoS qualification takes three years of full-time study while the SA qualification is offered over a period of one-year full-time study.
  • The UoS qualification requires applicants who completed the secondary school qualification or equivalent whereas the SA qualification requires applicants who hold the Higher Certificate or a Level 5 qualification in a relevant field.

    Country: Namibia
    Institution: Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Business Management Honours.
    This is a Level 8 qualification with a weighting of 120 Credits.

    Purpose
    The NUST qualification aims to enhance the learners' knowledge of contemporary management theories, research methodologies and techniques.
    The NUST qualification is designed to equip learners with deepened and systematic knowledge and expertise in business management. This qualification enables learners to develop the capacity to conduct supervised applied research.

    Entry requirements
  • For admission to the Bachelor of Business Management Honours, applicants must have a Bachelor of Business Management at Level 7 (with at least 360 credits) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
    Or
  • Three-year Bachelor's degree in domain areas closely related to Business Management, such as Public Management, Human Resources Management, Office Management and Technology, Accounting and Economics, and Business Administration may also apply.

    Articulation:
    This qualification is an excellent route to further studies in Business Management or related cognate areas of learning at Level 09.

    Similarities:
  • Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the South African (SA) qualifications are weighted 120 credits and registered at Level 8.
  • Both qualifications articulate vertically to a master's degree in the cognate field.
  • Both the NUST and SA qualifications require candidates who completed the Ordinary Degree in the cognate field registered at Level 7 for entry requirements.
  • The following NUST compulsory and elective modules are comparable to the SA compulsory modules.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Business Management compares with Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in SA qualification.
  • Advanced Project Management compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.
  • Research Methodology compares with Research Project in SA qualification.
  • Small Enterprise Support compares with Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in SA qualification.
  • Mini-Thesis Research Methodology compares with Research Project in SA qualification.
  • Strategic Management compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.

    Elective Modules:
  • Management of Technology compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.
  • Management Consulting compares with Strategic Management in SA qualification.
  • Enterprise Systems Management compares with Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in SA qualification.
  • Entrepreneurship compares with Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in SA qualification.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification has compulsory modules only, whereas NUST has both compulsory and elective modules. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Business Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business and Management and Administration, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF 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.
     
    1. University of Zululand 


    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.