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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce: Supply Chain and Operations Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90649  Bachelor of Commerce: Supply Chain and Operations Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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  Procurement 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to educate purchasing, supply chain and operational practitioners in all types of business organisations. Qualifying learners will be able to work effectively in purchasing, operations and any position in supply chain management in business organisations in various industries and sectors.

Qualifying learners can demonstrate knowledge, specific skills and applied competence within opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and will function in the field associated with purchasing, the integrated supply chain and operations in business organisations.

Rationale:
Supply chain management is increasingly important to government, organisation and companies in a competitive market across a variety of sectors. This qualification is designed to meet the industry need for purchasing, supply chain and operations managers in all sectors. It is designed to provide the learner with generic management, human relationships, financial, and specific supply chain and operations knowledge and skills which can be applied in different sectors. It provides the learners with skills to become competent supply chain and operations workers and managers on both functional and strategic levels. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this qualification can:
  • Perform Mathematical calculations at NQF Level 4.
  • Have Computer Skills and are able to use the Internet.
  • Learn from predominantly English and written material.
  • Communicate what they have learnt comprehensively in the medium of instruction.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning may be applied for learners to gain access to the qualification. Knowledge and experience acquired through non-formal and informal learning may be assessed though RPL processes.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The minimum requirement for admission is:
  • National Senior Certificate with Mathematics as subject, granting access to a Bachelor's Degree.
    Or
  • Diploma at NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 30 compulsory modules with 12 Credits each. The first six modules are at NQF Level 5, fourteen at NQF Level 6 and ten at NQF Level 7 totalling 360 Credits.

    NQF Level 5 (72 Credits):
  • Business Management 1A.
  • Elementary Quantitative Methods.
  • Economics 1A.
  • Commercial Law.
  • Psychological Processes in Work Context.
  • Accounting, Concepts, Principles and Procedures.

    NQF Level 6 (168 Credits):
  • Personality in Work Context.
  • Business Management 1B.
  • Accounting Reporting.
  • Economics 1B.
  • General Management.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Purchasing Management.
  • Integrated Logistics.
  • Production and Operations Management.
  • Business to Business Marketing.
  • Quality Management.
  • Safety Management.
  • Work Study.
  • Financial Management.

    NQF Level 7 (120 Credits):
  • Strategic Management 3A.
  • Corporate Citizenship.
  • Strategic Sourcing.
  • Supply Chain Alignment.
  • Supplier Relationship Management.
  • Production and Operations Management.
  • Project Management.
  • Total Quality Management.
  • Environmental Management.
  • Strategic Management 3B. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Gather process and record relevant information and compile basic statements of comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of financial position.
    2. Solve basic economic problems in different economic systems, how households and firms take decisions as well as how prices are determined.
    3. Develop a fundamental knowledge base of psychological processes in the work context that contribute to the improvement of interpersonal work relationships and organisational effectiveness.
    4. Solve basic problems relating to the general principles of the law of contract in South Africa.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of the individual functional areas of business management which ultimately form a synergistic whole that directs the business towards its goals.
    6. Develop a solid knowledge base of the necessary values and attitudes in the field of personality or individual differences in the work context.
    7. Provide knowledge, applied competence and skills related to general management principles.
    8. Demonstrate knowledge of the field of purchasing management.
    9. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of financial management theory and practice.
    10. Demonstrate knowledge of the modern integrated approach to the management of the supply of materials and services to organisations and insight into the impact.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The nature of accounting theory, principles, accounting policy, practice and procedures are applied.
  • The concepts of income and expenditure to determine the gross and net profits (or losses) and the effect thereof on owner's equity are explained.
  • Transactions in the books of an entity are analysed, recorded and statement of financial position from the basic accounting equation are prepared.
  • Ledger accounts, trial balance and financial statements are prepared.
  • The closing-off procedure to determine the profit or loss and financial statements are prepared.
  • The importance of inventory and how entries related to inventory is recorded in the books of an entity are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The main economic problems in different economic systems are conceptualised and applied and a diagram used to explain how the economy functions.
  • The interaction between consumers and producers in a perfectly competitive goods market is explained.
  • Pricing decisions of firms under perfect and imperfect market conditions in the short- and long run are conceptualised, evaluated and applied.
  • Factors that affect the labour market in a perfectly competitive and imperfect labour market are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Human behaviour in the work context is explained.
  • Biological developmental and psychological processes as they manifest amongst individuals in the work context are discussed.
  • Social processes as they manifest amongst individuals and groups in the work context are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • General principles of the law of contract within a legal framework are applied to real life situations.
  • Relevant sources to solve basic legal problems regarding the functioning of the South African legal system and the general principles of the law of contract are utilised.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Financial management concepts and principles relating to financial analysis, investment decisions and financing decisions in order to achieve continued financial health in a business are applied.
  • The operations of a business by using sound operational activities, techniques and methods to optimise the transformation of inputs into outputs are managed.
  • The purchasing and control function is planned, organised and controlled in such a manner that it helps achieve the objectives of the business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The principles and assumptions underlying different personality theories are discussed.
  • The aspects of psychological well-being and maladjustment, including work adjustment and maladjustment are discussed.
  • Personality and individual differences with particular reference to work-related issues are resolved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • The elements of organisation design and the authority relationships in organisations are identified and analysed.
  • All aspects of the planning process that include goal setting, strategic planning and function of managers are applied.
  • The rational decision-making model to make effective decisions is used.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • The knowledge and skills pertaining to the operational processes and management of purchasing function in the organisation are applied.
  • Strategic management of the supply base, including the selection and evaluation, are utilised in accordance with the strategic sourcing approach.
  • The areas of application in purchasing and supply management, including purchasing capital equipment, purchasing from small businesses and purchasing services, are identified and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Managerial finance function and its relationship to economics and accounting within which financial management is practiced are identified and analysed.
  • Financial management concepts and principles relating to financial statement analysis are applied.
  • Time value money techniques to value financial instruments within a risk-return-return framework are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • The origins and elements of supply chain management are investigated.
  • The importance of supplier partnerships and strategic alliances are applied.
  • The importance of the customer relations in the supply chain management approach is explained.
  • The overall importance of process integration in supply chain management is discussed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes a combination of written and multiple choice assignments based on the learning material which learners have to submit and for which they earn year marks. Learners are given feedback in the form of written comments in the assignments and suggested solutions and mark plans presented in a formal tutorial letter. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes. Assignment marks contribute 10% towards the learner's final mark.

    Examinations of a representative selection of outcomes practiced and are assessed in the formative stage.

    Summative assessment tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module:
  • One two-hour examination per module per semester.
  • Unless otherwise stated, a subminimum of 40% must be obtained in the examination.
  • The mark obtained in the examination contributes 90% to the learner's final mark.

    Supplementary examinations at the end of the following semester are available for learners who obtained at least 45% as a final examination mark.

    All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Wollongong in Australia offers a Bachelor of Commerce (Supply Chain Management). The qualification is specially designed with the objective of giving learners an opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in supply chain management to lead an organisation or government. The three year qualification consists of the following modules:
    Year 1:
  • English for Tertiary Studies 1.
  • Mathematics 1.
  • Economics 1 (Microeconomics).
  • Accounting 1.
  • English for Tertiary Studies 2.
  • Mathematics 2.
  • Economics 2 (Macroeconomics).
  • Accounting 2.

    Year 2:
  • Accounting Fundamentals in Society.
  • Principles of Responsible Commerce.
  • Macroeconomic Essentials for Business.
  • Introduction to Management.
  • Accounting in Organisations.
  • Statistics for Business.
  • Introductory Principles of Finance.
  • Marketing Principles.
  • Management and Electronic Business.
  • Systems Thinking and Simulation.
  • Introductory Marketing Research.
  • Consumer Behaviour.

    Year 3:
  • Principles of Supply Chain Management.
  • Logistics Management.
  • Services Marketing.
  • Management of Change.
  • Supply Chain Strategies.
  • Operations Management.
  • International Marketing.
  • Responsible Leadership.
  • Simulation of a Socially Innovative Enterprise.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Continuous Quality Management.
  • International Finance.

    The RMIT University in Australia/Singapore offers a Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management). Learners must complete a total of 24 modules comprising: 8 Common Core Modules, 8 Major and 8 Electives. The core modules include Introduction to management, Accounting in Organisations and Society, Prices and Markets, Marketing Principles, Business Statistics I, Macroeconomics I, Business Computing I. The degree major modules consist of the following modules Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain management, Transportation and Freight logistics, Procurement Management and Global Sourcing Warehouse and Distribution Channels, Operations Management, Business IT and Supply chain, Supply Chain Analysis and Design and Supply Chain management Strategy. The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with an understanding of the specialised area of supply chain management with strong emphasis on general business.

    The University of Nairobi in Kenya also offers a Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management. This is a four-year Degree qualification that prepares graduates for a career in the specialised field of supply chain management across a wide array of industries, by providing a solid grounding in both business and supply chain skills.

    Conclusion:
    The Bachelor of Commerce: Supply Chain and Operations Management compares with these international qualifications. The common focus is to equip learners with the critical aspects of supply chain management and prepare learners for employment in a variety of administrative and management roles in various types of organisations. These qualifications cover the foundations and techniques of management, law, supply management, purchasing and procurement. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications at NQF Level 7:
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Supply Chain Management.
  • Bachelor of Technology: Economic Management Analysis.

    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications at NQF Level 8:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Supply Chain Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Supply Chain Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Management Accounting.

    This articulation can be within the institution or with other institutions offering similar qualifications. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation is conducted internally through a system of second examiners. All exit level modules will have in addition an external examiner from another higher education institution. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The following criteria are specified for assessors concerning the core aspects of the qualification:
  • Assessors need experience in interpersonal skills, subject matter and assessment.
  • Assessors need to be competent in the planning and conducting of assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessment tools.
  • Subject matter experience must be well developed within the field of Management. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. University of South Africa 


    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.