SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Commerce

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15147	Bachelor of Commerce
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes University
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	Level 6	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

The purpose of the degree is to provide a general academic training for people interested in careers in commerce and industry.

A second purpose is to produce quality graduates who can apply fundamental and specialist knowledge to solve a range of problems and operate effectively in a business environment.

A third purpose is to provide an introduction to the techniques for independent research, analysis and articulation of ideas, which are transferable to postgraduate study.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates are not normally admitted to the full curriculum for the degree unless they are in possession of a matriculation exemption certificate and have obtained at least an F symbol in Mathematics on the Higher Grade, or an E symbol on the Standard Grade in the matriculation examination, or a pass in mathematics deemed to be the equivalent of the above.

Candidates should be able to communicate coherently in both written and spoken English.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. The learner will possess an adequate knowledge to commence an appropriate career in a commercial setting. This may involve an entrepreneurial initiative in self employment, or reflect an ability to function as a valuable employee in any business environment.

In order to meet this exit level outcome, learners will:
Knowledge outcomes
a. Understand the concepts and principles necessary for functioning in a business or industrial environment.
b. Be aware of the critical techniques necessary for the study and application of business principles and the ability to evaluate competing theories and approaches.
c. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the information, concepts and principles applicable to a selected set of subjects.

Skills outcomes
a. Behaviour in an adaptable and flexible manner, with sound social skills in dealing with others.
b. Have the ability to perform tasks independently without supervision.
c. Work effectively on projects as a member of a team.
d. Have the ability to think laterally and innovatively in applying concepts and principles in a business environment.
e. Display judgement and objectivity in analysing information and performing tasks.

Value & Attitudes Outcomes
f. Have an appreciation of the need to respond ethically and to operate with integrity and moral courage in the business environment.

2. The learner will have a range of broader skills for dealing with issues of professional and personal life, including: confidence in written and oral communication; the ability to manage time effectively; productive use of information technology; and working effectively in teams.

In order to meet this exit level outcome, learners will:

Skills outcomes
a. Be able to communicate ideas from one or more general fields of business studies and economics in both the spoken and written word.
b. Be able to manage time effectively.
c. Be able to use appropriate technology to facilitate communication.
d. Work effectively in teams showing leadership and performing critical functions.

Value & Attitudes Outcomes
e. Be aware of the multilingual nature of South African society, and are able to use language appropriately.

3. The learner will be competent in the techniques of independent research, analysis and articulation of ideas, which are transferable to postgraduate study.

In order to meet this exit level outcome, learners will:

Knowledge Outcomes
Possess a framework against which new information and advances in business studies can be assessed and assimilated.

Skill Outcomes
Be able to access new information from libraries, the Internet and other appropriate sources.

Values & Attitudes Outcomes
Understand that business and economic systems change continually requiring the acquisition and application of new information to address changing circumstances requiring the need for life-long learning.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

After the first year:
Learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding, both in theory and practice, of the basic principles, theories and facts that are central to a set of subjects that form the core of a particular curriculum. Learners will have a broad knowledge base with substantial depth in some areas.

Learners should be able to use available resources to gain access to information.

Learners should be able to interpret and summarise information from a variety of sources in the form of a logically structured and well-written essay.

After the second year:
Learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding, both in theory and practice,
of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of the major sub-disciplines of the degree.

Learners should be able to use all available library resources to undertake independent study.

Learners should be able to analyse and evaluate a wide range of information and present the results as a logically structured and well-written essay.

After the third year:
Learners should be able to demonstrate a detailed understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of a major sub-discipline of the degree. Learners are expected to show a complete understanding of more than one topic within the sub-discipline.

The learners will be required to demonstrate basic research, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills, as individuals and in groups.

The learner will have developed communicative skills and should be able to structure a logical argument both in writing and in the spoken from.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

Integrated assessment is incorporated using a wide range of formative and summative assessment methods.

Assessment entails three elements: Continual formal assessment, both formative and summative; continual informal assessment (formative) e.g. in tutorials; and, formal end-of-course assessment (summative) e.g. by way of examination.

The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

1. Candidates with credits from other universities may be given credit for equivalent courses at Rhodes University, and may be able to complete a degree in less than the minimum four years.
2. Similarly, students with credits from Rhodes University may be able to move to any other university in the country where they may be given credit for equivalent courses at that university.
3. Depending on the choice of first year subjects, students may proceed at the end of their first year into the second year of the BAcc or BBusSc degree.
4. Successful candidates may proceed to an honours degree or other postgraduate study.

MODERATION OPTIONS

At first and second year levels examination papers and scripts are moderated internally. At the third year level papers and scripts are moderated internally and by an external examiner.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Academic staff of Rhodes University will be used as assessors. They will preferably have a PhD, but staff with a Master's degree and appropriate experience are acceptable. In exceptional cases an Honours degree will be acceptable.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.	Rhodes University