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 Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8001  Bachelor of Commerce Honours 
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
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  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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   2031-06-30  

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 degree is aimed at producing high-quality graduates who have a detailed understanding of a specialised field of commerce and who are able to undertake research in that area. Such individuals can go on to further study in an academic direction, or may seek opportunities for management employment in commerce and industry.

1. The overall purpose of the degree is to produce high-quality graduates who can apply fundamental and specialist knowledge to solve problems and operate effectively within specialised areas of a business environment.

2. The degree also provides the techniques for independent research, analysis and articulation of ideas, which are transferable to further postgraduate study at Masters and Doctoral level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates are not normally admitted to any course for an Honours degree unless they have been awarded the bachelors degree (NQF level 6), or have been admitted to the status thereof. Normally, candidates will not be admitted to an Honours programme unless they have obtained at least a second class pass in the final year of the bachelors degree of the subject in which they wish to take Honours.

Learners should have a detailed understanding, both in theory and practice, of the principles, theories and facts that form the core of the subject in which they wish to take Honours.

Candidates should be able to communicate adequately in 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? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. The Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate will be competent to apply specialist knowledge and basic research methods to solve problems and answer questions. 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.

2. The learner will be competent to communicate in a professional manner.

3. The learner will have an appreciation of the need, and ability to be a life-long learner. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1. a. The learner will have a specialist knowledge and understanding of the information, concepts and principles applicable to the selected subject.
b. The learner will have the ability to use this knowledge to participate in identifying problems, formulating questions and developing research protocols.
c. The learner will be able to collect, analyse and critically evaluate data needed to answer the questions so formulated.
d. The learner will be able to work effectively with other members of a team or group.
e. The learner will be able to organise and manage themselves and their time effectively.
f. The learner will have an appreciation of the need to respond ethically and to operate with integrity and moral courage, and with due consideration of cultural differences.

2. a. Learners will be able to communicate ideas and their understanding of their subject in both the spoken and written word.
b. The learner will be able to use appropriate technology to facilitate communication.
c. The learner will appreciate the need to publish research results.
d. The learner will be aware of the multilingual nature of South African society, and be able to use language appropriately.

3. a. The learner will possess a framework of knowledge against which new information and advances can be assessed and assimilated.
b. The learner will be able to access new information from libraries, the Internet and other appropriate sources.
c. The learner will 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.

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

1. Assessment procedures adhere to the Rhodes University assessment policy.

2. Assessment entails three elements:
  • Continual formal assessment both formative and summative
  • Continual informal assessment (formative)
  • Formal end-of-course assessment (summative)

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

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Learners with first degrees from another university may be able to register for an Honours degree at Rhodes University
    2. Students with an Honours degree from Rhodes University may be able to move to any other university in the country to undertake further training.
    3. Although the Honours programme is designed to provide advanced training in one field, it develops skills such as critical analysis, evaluation of data and communication; consequently learners may be able to proceed thereafter in a variety of different directions.
    4. Learners with an Honours degree may be able to continue with further postgraduate research training. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Examination papers and scripts are moderated both 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 


    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.