SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Commerce: Business Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
3131	Master of Commerce: Business Management
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's 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	368	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
73970	Master of Commerce in Business Management	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	180	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with intellectual competencies and practical skills in the mastering, analysis, interpretation and application of basic and advanced management principles in the different functional units of the business organisation, and be able to reflect on their managerial decisions and applications to access the effect thereof in the holistic context of management as a practice.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature on a post-graduate level (NQF 7). Learners should be able to communicate effectively using academic Afrikaans/English in written and oral form. Learners must be able to manage their own study programme and time effectively. Learners must have acquired applied competence in the context of management and be able to take managerial decisions in the context of the management profession.

A potential learner should be in possession of a B. Com Honours Degree, or an equivalent four-year qualification with Honours status, with a minimum level of competency on NQF level 7. Those candidates who do not possess a qualification in the Economic Sciences are directed to a bridging year (providing for recognition of prior learning) before being accepted on the M Com (Business Management) programme. The bridging year is comprised of four modules, Economics, Business Management, Accounting and Corporate Law. Each module is worth 6 credits. Learners who do not complete the bridging year retain the credits obtained up to that stage. Learners without a B.Com Honours Degree will not be allowed to enrol for the M. Com programme before completion of the bridging year or demonstrating a thorough knowledge of NQF level 7 of Economics, Business Management, Accounting and Corporate Law.

Recognition of prior learning:

Current competencies in the field of Business Management that have been acquired by prior learning or through or through related experience will be assessed. Candidates may receive credits for a maximum of two modules passed on Honours level (NQF level 7). Learners must, at the time of application, provide proof in the form of an academic record. Gained competencies will help to gain access to the programme, or advance placement in it.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate their competence at applying the basic theoretical principles of general management in problem identification and problem solving correctly and reflect on the application made on the process of problem solving. (Problem solving skills)

2. Plan and execute research in business management, by gathering, analysing synthesizing and interpreting the relevant information correctly and reflecting on research. (Research skills)

3. Demonstrate effective communication competence with the different role players in the management field and applying the theoretical principles of communication (oral/written) and reflect on the application made. (Communication skills)

4. Develop a theoretical and practical vision of Business Management nationally and globally in terms of socio-cultural, economic, institutional, technological and political factors reflecting on the differences among countries, even countries with the same region. (Develop a macro vision)

5. Effectively and responsibly organize and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of Business Management by applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application. (Entrepreneurship)

6. Accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of business management and learning (Self-responsibility skills) by applying the concepts of self-management.

7. Practice acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in self-directed management teams by implementing the relevant theory of teamwork and reflect on the implementation thereof (Team ship)

8. Utilize an appropriate management information system effectively in the business management environment as a basis for sound managerial decision making (Technological and environmental literacy)

9. Explore different effective learning strategies to acquire the different competencies of a business manager (Explore learning strategies)

10. Promote responsible local and global citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of management capabilities (Promoting citizenship)

11. Practice acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of the business communities and the community at large by applying appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the application made within the context of cultural diversity. (Cultural and aesthetic sensitivity)

12. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the business industry, utilizing the theoretical principles and reflect on the application the thereof. (Employment seeking skills)

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Can the learners demonstrate their ability to identify and solve problems in the field and business management correctly by applying relevant theoretical principles and reflect on the application made according to standards? (Problem solving skills)

2. Are the learners able to plan and exercise research in the field of business management according to standards, including the gathering, analysing, synthesizing and interpretation of information on business management issues correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflect on the research undertaken? (Research skills)

3. Can the learners communicate according to standards, effectively orally and in writing with the different role players in the field of management by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the application made? (Communication skills)

4. Have the learners developed an accountable theoretical and practical macro vision of business management nationally and internationally according to standards? (Development of macro vision)

5. Are the learners able to effectively and responsibly organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of business applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application made (entrepreneurship) as well as accept responsibility for their own activities in the field of business management? (Responsibility skills)

6. Do the learners demonstrate, according to standards, acceptable responsibility for their own learning activities in the field of business management? (Responsibility skills)

7. Can the learners practice acceptable social sensitivity in the relationship with others and work effectively in self-directed team by implementing the relevant theory and reflect on the implementation made? (Team ship)

8. Are the learners able to utilize according to standards, appropriate technology (in creating sound management information systems) effectively in the management environment? (Technological and environmental literacy)

9. Are the learners able to explore different learning strategies, according to standards, to acquire the different capabilities of a business manager? (Explore learning strategies)

10. Are the learners able to promote responsible global citizenship, according to standards, through their approach/attitude towards the holistic application of management capabilities in business? (Promoting citizenship)

11. Are the learners able to practice social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity, according to standards, towards the people of the different business communities and the role players in the business industry by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the application made? (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity).

12. Do the learners demonstrate the acceptable employment seeking skills, according to standards, for entry into the different sectors of the business industry by applying the theoretical principles of employment seeking skills and reflect on the application thereof? (Employment seeking skills)

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Learners are continuously assessed via practical group and class assignments, essays, presentations, informal class tests and formal modular tests in a written mode. They also have to do independent research that leads to scientific assignments. In addition, learners will assess themselves as well as the work of each other and reflect on the dynamics of this process.

Summative assessments practice that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of one 3 hour written examination per module, at the end of each module.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualifications on a lower level:

Learners that have successfully completed the M.Com programme, can apply to be admitted to any management or related programmes, including certificates, diplomas or degrees on NQF level 5 to 7, subject to the admission criteria of the institution.

Access to qualifications on the same level:

Articulation is accomplished with a B Com (Hons) degree or any other degree providing Honours status or an equivalent four-year qualification with Honours status or any related qualification with an exit level 7 of the NQF, generating 480 credits.
Learners who are (or have been) registered for a MBA, or some of the related modules at another higher institution or business school, will be allowed with the permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences (RAU) to enter on the same level, provided that the basic rules of access have been compiled with. Such learners will retain credit for relevant modules that have been passed at the various institutions or business schools, provided these modules have been assessed on Honours level. The recognition of modules is subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (RAU).

Access to qualifications on a higher level:

Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study in higher education programmes exist:

* A doctorate (D Com Business Management) on NQF level 8 in related business management areas.

* D Phil (Business Management) on NQF level 8 in related business management learning areas.

MODERATION OPTIONS

External examiners will be appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Science upon recommendation by the Department of Business Management at this institution. External examiners must be in possession of at least a masters degree in the related field of study. External examiners have to approve all examination papers, and must mark a minimum number of papers as specified by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (RAU).

At least one external examiner per module will be appointed. External examiners with at least a master's degree in a job related or learning area will be selected from different higher education institutions in South Africa or abroad. The above also applies to the examination of the short dissertation.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Formal registered assessors for assessing learning in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive outcomes per module, with at least a Masters degree in the related field of study (with knowledge and experience in relevant assessment practices), will be appointed by the Faculty of Economic and Management Science of this institution upon recommendation by the Department of Business Management and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences. Assessors should have at least three years of job related or learning area experience to be able to act as assessors. Assessors should be SAQA accredited with at least three years of assessment experience in the related field of study.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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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.

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