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: 

Advanced Certificate in Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122888  Advanced Certificate in Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Undefined  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0527/24  2024-10-03  2027-10-03 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-10-03   2031-10-03  

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 Advanced Certificate in Business Management is to equip junior and middle managers with general business management principles, specific procedures, and their application and/or technology transfer in varied business contexts in South African and international business environments. The qualification is mainly vocational or industry oriented and therefore the focus is on the development of procedural skills and expertise relevant to managing a business.

The qualification aims to:
  • Provide learners with a strong knowledge base required for the business management field and to apply their knowledge and skills to specific careers and/or professions related to business management.
  • Equip learners with future-proof business management skills that will help them to identify and analyse intermediate business management problems and exercise sound business judgment.
  • Develop conscious business leaders who are purpose-driven and able to apply spiritual and emotional intelligence in general business management in specific.

    Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply key middle management and leadership techniques and apply them within a work environment to drive and influence performance.
  • Correctly analyse and interpret financial statements and utilise budgeting techniques for efficiency in the business.
  • Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of marketing management and implement marketing management in a business environment.
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of macro-economic principles and how they will impact the management of a business.
  • Utilise relevant technology to communicate effectively.

    Rationale:
    The global labour market is faced with severe skills shortages across all sectors, resulting in the loss of trillions of rands in economic opportunity for companies. According to Gerald Seegers, the Director of Human Resource at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), 2022: Skills Gap in Hampering Businesses' Recruitment Efforts, the gap between the skills of current manpower and skills needed by organisations to achieve their goals is drastically widening in the global labour market.

    The international financial services provider, Allianz's (2022) findings of its global risk barometer survey revealed that skills shortage is the eighth risk in South Africa. In the same report, Allianz (2022) reported that the global talent shortage amounted to 40 million worldwide as of December 2020. Korn Ferry (2022 cited in Allianz; 2022) estimated that the global skills shortage could reach up to 85 million people in 2030.

    This qualification therefore will play a pivotal role in equipping employees with the relevant skills and knowledge necessary to perform effectively in management and administrative roles in most industry sectors. The qualification plays a critical role in enhancing employees' performance, effectiveness, and efficiency, resulting in South African economic transformation and global economic performance. The qualification builds the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by employees who require advanced skills and knowledge in general business management.

    The qualification hence paves the way for entry to mid-level opportunities in a wide range of business management and related roles and builds a defined career path in areas of choice. The qualification also offers learners a lifelong learning and career development opportunity through horizontal or vertical articulation into diploma, degree, or related qualifications. The graduate attributes are interweaved into the curriculum and formulate a strong ethical leadership framework that instils values that transform attitudes and behaviours required to operate confidently and respond to the challenges of the South African socio-economic context. The qualification is therefore perceived to close existing and potential future skills gaps in the South African and global context. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    The institution's RPL Policy and Process determine the criteria and methodology used to assess prior learning. The institution applies recognition of prior learning in the scope of the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (Amended in March 2019).

    The RPL process is multi-dimensional. It is a process through which non-formal, informal, and formal learning can be measured and mediated against learning outcomes for recognition within and across different contexts.

    The RPL process is multi-contextual and differs across contexts. It may be developed and implemented differently for recognition in the context of the three NQF Sub-Frameworks, professional designations, and recognition in the workplace. Furthermore, it is conducted using a variety of specialised learning interventions and/or assessment approaches through which the knowledge, skills and values of a person are made visible, mediated, and assessed. The purposes and contexts of RPL determine the practices and outcomes of the RPL process in each case.

    Assessment is an integral feature of all forms of RPL and exists in combination with a range of other strategies that allow for different sources of knowledge and forms of learning to be compared and judged. RPL includes diagnostic, formative, or summative assessments, to create opportunities for, or towards, access and/or credit.

    RPL for access:
  • RPL will be applied for by applicants who do not meet the admission criteria for this qualification.
  • RPL offers an alternative access route into a programme of learning, professional designation, or recognition in the workplace to those who do not meet the specified qualification entry requirements. In this regard, qualifications, part-qualifications and professional designations registered on the NQF must provide alternative entry requirements so that candidates can be admitted to the qualification, part qualification, or professional designation, through RPL.
  • Admission of applicants through an RPL route would not constitute more than 10 percent of the learner intake for the qualification.

    RPL for credits:
  • Where credit is awarded, it must be based on the assessed evidence of the knowledge and skills acquired informally and non-formal.
  • The focus of RPL is on what has been learned, and not on the status of the institution or place where the learning was obtained.

    There must be no distinction, other than that required for data analysis, between records of learner achievements for qualifications, part-qualifications or professional designations awarded because of RPL processes and those obtained via conventional means. The quality assurance of RPL must be undertaken with the explicit intention of protecting the integrity of the processes and outcomes concerned.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Higher Certificates in Business Management, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Business Administration, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Occupational Certificate: Small Business Consultant, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 80 Credits:
  • Business and Operations Management, 20 Credits.
  • Finance Operations Management, 20 Credits.
  • Information Management, 20 Credits.
  • Macro Economics, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6, 40 Credits (Select two modules from the following options):
  • Project Management Practices, 20 Credits.
  • Marketing Management Practices, 20 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management Practices, 20 Credits.
  • Retail Operations Management, 20 Credits.
  • Credit Operations Management, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of key middle management and leadership techniques and apply them within a work environment to drive and influence performance.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to correctly analyse and interpret financial statements and utilise budgeting techniques for efficiency in the business.
    3. Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of marketing management and the ability to implement marketing management in a business environment.
    4. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of macro-economic principles and how they will impact the management of a business.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to utilise relevant technology to communicate effectively.
    6. Demonstrate the required understanding of project management and the ability to implement project management plans in the business environment.
    7. Demonstrate detailed understanding and required human resources applied skills inclusive of identifying and solving problems.
    8. Apply the required emotional and spiritual intelligence in the workplace to enhance organisational performance. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply best practice management standards within a work environment.
  • Implement sound management processes and practices within a business unit to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Establish authentic leadership behaviours to improve workplace performance.
  • Adopt and apply a variety of leadership styles to apply in different leadership situations.
  • Support people in the work environment by reinforcing sound management and leadership practices, behaviours, and processes.
  • Implement continuous improvement by working effectively in a changing environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Discuss the goal of financial management.
  • Conduct a financial statement analysis.
  • Show a functional understanding of working capital management.
  • Apply current budgeting techniques.
  • Correctly calculate the value of money.
  • Apply capital budgeting techniques.
  • Make sound investment and financial instrument decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Describe the nature and scope of the market environment.
  • Identify and evaluate environmental factors that impact marketing in an organisation.
  • Apply basic marketing research concepts to the organisation.
  • Determine target markets and undertake market segmentation for particular products and services.
  • Develop a basic marketing strategy for an organisation.
  • Define, determine and classify product prices.
  • Describe the role of the distribution channel and differentiate between types of channels.
  • Classify retailers and wholesalers according to a few different organisational and operating dimensions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain the basic concepts and techniques of macro-economic analysis.
  • Demonstrate an intermediate understanding of fiscal, monetary and supply policies.
  • Discuss concepts such as economic output, inflation, interest, foreign exchange rates and balance of payments to determine the impact on business management.
  • Identify how economic growth, economic stability, employment rates and stable/unstable financial markets will provide the direction to take when managing a business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Describe the operational, managerial, and strategic roles of information systems in business management.
  • Explain the major concepts, developments, and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies.
  • Use information technology in modern information systems to support end-user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision-making, and strategic advantage.
  • Utilise information systems to support decision-making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Describe key processes and activities that take place to manage a project from beginning to end, inclusive of but not limited to start-up, initiation, planning, controlling, monitoring, execution, implementing, closing, and evaluating.
  • Discuss and provide examples of the supplementary management sub-processes and activities required to support the key processes and activities.
  • Apply the supplementary sub-processes and activities inclusive of but not limited to scope, risk, quality, communications, schedule, cost, change control, resource, stakeholder, and procurement management.
  • Explain the reasons for planning and controlling a project providing examples of the consequences of not planning and controlling.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Apply key components of employment relations and debate the interplay between employment relations and its broader environment.
  • Compare employers' organisations, trade unions and the role of the state.
  • Explain and compare the core and other labour legislation impacting on employment relations.
  • Discuss the nature and approaches of collective bargaining and negotiation.
  • Differentiate between the key elements of industrial action and strike handling.
  • Formulate an organisation's strategy and policy, procedures and practices relating to employment relations.
  • Describe industrial democracy, participation, and cooperation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Apply required skills and techniques for responding to situations in an emotionally and/or spiritually intelligent manner.
  • Explain the concepts of emotions, moods, temperament, and emotional disorders with supporting examples.
  • Discuss and apply principles of emotional and spiritual intelligence to enhance employee performance.
  • Analyse the concepts of emotional and spiritual intelligence to evaluate its impact on employee performance.
  • Compare at least two models of the emotional and spiritual mind in terms of how each explains how people make emotional response decisions.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
    The assessment strategy for this qualification is based on formative and summative assessment.

    Formative assessment:
  • Two formative assessments per module are completed - learners will complete an assessment midway through the module/course and at the end of the module/course.
  • The first assessment will be knowledge and understanding-based and will be formative in nature.
  • The assessment is graded and contributes to admission into the summative assessment as well as the final mark.
  • The continuous assessment strategy was chosen for the future Bachelor's degrees to be offered by the institution to lessen the impact of external factors on learner success.

    Summative assessment:
  • Summative assessment will take place upon completion of the module and will be designed to assess applied and reflective competencies based on an integrated combination of the assessment criteria related to the suite of specific outcomes of the module/course.
  • Assessment will be strictly outcomes-based.
  • Learners must achieve a sub-minimum of 50 % in the summative assessment to be considered as having successfully completed the module.
  • Should a learner achieve between 40% and 50 % in the submission of the modular summative assessment, a second submission opportunity will be given and similarly the learner must achieve a sub-minimum of 50 % to be awarded a pass on the module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The South African (SA) qualification is a unique qualification type when compared with international qualification types in terms of its progression from the higher certificate, its NQF level (6) and its purpose. The SA qualification creates a progression pathway for certain categories of school leavers who may not have met the degree entrance requirements with bachelor passes and who are allowed to access higher education via the higher certificate route. Should they be successful, but for example do not have funds for a three-year Bachelor's degree, learners can enrol for an advanced certificate, which is a further one-year qualification.

    In addition, the South African qualification also falls within a category of vocational qualifications, and learners can successfully articulate into diploma studies upon successful completion of the advanced certificate, and from there into the advanced diploma creating a progression pathway to the advanced diploma and postgraduate diploma.

    Country: New Zealand.
    Institution: Southern Institute of Technology.
    Qualification Title: Graduate Certificate in Business Management.
    NQF Level: Level: 7.
    Credits: 60 points.
    Duration: One year full-time.
    Entry requirements:
  • Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
    Or
  • Be a mature learner aged at least 20 years and supply evidence of at least three years of relevant work experience.

    Purpose:
    The qualification will develop and refine leadership skills in business and management.
    Learners will be taught different relevant strategies and practices that can be applied in the workplace in New Zealand or internationally.

    This qualification is aimed at those who already have a degree or those with extensive work experience. Learners who have completed the qualification will have developed skills and knowledge in that specialist business area. The qualification provides the theoretical, practical, and professional skills appropriate for employment or further study in the sector.

    Graduates will be qualified to work in a range of management positions, and business consulting in many industries.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of elective modules.

    Elective Modules, 45 credits (Select three modules from the following list of papers):
  • Strategic Management.
  • Contemporary Issues.
  • Business Ethics.
  • International Business.
  • Sustainability in Tourism.
  • Advanced HRM comparable to Human Resource Management Practices.
  • Event Management.
  • Workplace Experience.

    And
    Elective Modules, 15 credits (Select one module from the following list of papers):
  • Entrepreneurship.
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Change Management.
  • Operations Management comparable to Business and Operations Management.
  • Human Resource Development comparable to Human Resource Management Practices.
  • Responsible Leadership.
  • Employment Relations comparable to Human Resource Management Practices.
  • Introduction to Strategic Management.
  • Risk Management and Quality.
  • The Project Plan and Resource is comparable to Project Management Practices.

    Similarities:
  • The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered over one year of full-time study.
  • Both qualifications provide the theoretical, practical, and professional skills appropriate for employment or further study in the sector.

    Differences:
  • The SIT qualification is registered at Level 7 while the SA qualification is registered at Level 6.
  • The SA qualification consists of a minimum of 120 credits whereas the SIT qualification consists of 60 credits.
  • The SIT qualification requires applicants who completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline while the SA qualification requires learners who completed the Higher Certificate in a cognate field.
  • The SA qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules whereas the SIT qualification consists of elective modules and no compulsory modules.

    Country: Ireland.
    Qualification Title: City of Dublin FET College Central.
    Institution: Advanced Certificate in Business.
    NQF Level: National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 6.
    Duration: One Year Full-time.

    Entry Requirements:
    Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 5 Qualification or equivalent.
    Or
    Appropriate Work Experience.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    As companies continue to face the challenges of a competitive marketplace, they must invest in highly skilled and trained personnel to meet the demands that customers and competitors present. This qualification is suitable for learners looking to develop sophisticated management, selling and marketing techniques.

    These skills are very much sought after by both the large organisation and the small to medium enterprise alike. Modern business techniques are explored, leaving the graduate ready to enter the market with a wide range of expertise in various management, marketing and selling practices.

    Learners and adult learners who have a flair for business will find this qualification gives them an opportunity to build on their knowledge and experience and refine their skills so that at the end of the year they will have a professional set of management and business skills which will set them on a career path of their choice.

    This qualification offers great employment potential in management, professional sales and marketing, and the graduate will be able to avail of job opportunities that exist in the market as companies continue to develop creative and innovative customer-based marketing and sales strategies.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules:
  • Business Management comparable to Business and Operations Management.
  • Business Law.
  • Marketing Management comparable to Marketing Management Practices.
  • Financial Reporting comparable to Finance Operations Management.
  • Spreadsheets.
  • Sales Presentation.
  • Communications.
  • Work Experience.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Business Marketing.
  • Bachelor of Business (Ord) Entrepreneurship.
  • Bachelor of Business (Hons) Entrepreneurship and Management.

    Similarities:
  • The City of Dublin FET College Central (CDFCC) and the South African (SA) qualification are offered over one year of full-time study.
  • Both qualifications are registered at Level 6.
  • Both qualifications require applicants who completed the level 5 qualification in a cognate field.
  • The CDFCC and SA qualifications are intended for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in the business management field by adding further specialisations to their academic awards already obtained.
  • Both qualifications share a similar purpose.
  • Both qualifications allow for vertical and horizontal opportunities into diplomas, degrees and related qualifications.

    Differences:
  • The CDFCC qualification consists of compulsory modules and no electives whereas the SA qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules.
  • The CDFCC qualification may articulate vertically to Bachelor of Business Honours in Entrepreneurship and Management while the SA qualification articulates to Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in the related field and does not articulate to Honours Degree. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management and Administration, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Business Analysis, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Change Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Operational Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Risk Management, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Business and Information Administration, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Business and Information Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Business Information Technology, NQF Level 6.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Retail Management, NQF Level 7.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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. Regenesys Management (Pty) Ltd 


    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.