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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce: Public Procurement Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90668  Bachelor of Commerce: Public Procurement 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  Generic Management 
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 procurement and supply chain practitioners of government departments at national, provincial and municipal levels and in public entities. Qualifying learners will be able to work effectively in procurement and also in any position in Supply Chain Management in the public sector.

This qualification is aimed at learners who work in the public sector in all spheres of government, specifically in the procurement and supply chain area, and who seek to develop essential public administration, procurement and supply chain management skills needed at functional and higher management levels.

Qualifying learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in fields associated with Public Financial Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management. The qualification also stresses the value of continuing personal intellectual growth. It should lead to gainful economic activity and ethical conduct and leadership by graduating learners.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Commerce in Public Procurement Management, the qualified learner would have been actively engaged in becoming a well-rounded, educated person, specifically preparing for further study and/or the work environment as a procurement and supply chain management practitioner or manager. He or she will have a theoretical foundation that will guide him/her in the work public environment to act as a functional level manager or at higher management levels in the field of public procurement, operations and supply chain management. She or he will have developed and will hold certain ethical values and be able to integrate general public financial, administration, procurement and supply chain related knowledge and skills and the application of theory to practice.

Graduating learners will also be able to contribute to the theory of Public Procurement and Supply Chain Management when they articulate to higher degrees in Business Management and Public Administration.

Rationale:
The prevalence of inefficiency, corruption and disregard of the fundamental "value for money" principles in South Africa has created a significant need for efficient Public Procurement Management in both the public and the corporate environments. This qualification is designed to meet the urgent need for knowledgeable and skilled officials involved in purchasing and procurement in the South African public sector in all spheres of government.

The qualification is designed to provide the learner with generic public administration management, financial, and specific procurement and supply chain knowledge and skills that are required by efficient public service procurement and purchasing officials. It also looks at that knowledge and those skills from a business or private sector perspective to enable the learner to fully understand the world of their suppliers and the way in which the private sector operates. The qualification provides the learners with knowledge and skills to become competent procurement and supply chain officials and managers at a tactical (functional) level and also at a more strategic level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this qualification should:
  • Be able to communicate information coherently and reliably in the language of tuition using basic conventions of an academic/professional discourse.
  • Have good oral and written communication skills in place in the relevant medium of instruction at NQF Level 4.
  • Possess the readiness and ability to begin to take responsibility for own learning within a well-structured and managed learning environment.
  • Have computer skills and be able to use the internet.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning is applied for learners, who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission, to gain access to the qualification. Knowledge and experience acquired through non-formal and informal learning setup may be assessed through an RPL process to grant credits towards the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners wishing to access the qualification should be in possession of one of the following qualifications:
  • A National Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree studies.
  • A National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor Degree studies.
  • A relevant Diploma at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 30 Compulsory modules worth 12 Credits each, totalling 360 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Business Management 1A.
  • Commercial Law.
  • Local Government Management.
  • Public Supply Chain Management.
  • Public Resource Management I.
  • Economics 1A.
  • The Nature, Content and Scope of Public Administration.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 5 = 84.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Economics 1B.
  • Integrated Logistics.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Purchasing Management.
  • General Management.
  • Environmental Affairs.
  • Public Procurement and Logistics Management.
  • Public Financial Management II.
  • Local Government Management II.
  • Business Management 1B.
  • The Structuring and Functioning of Public Services.
  • Foundations of Public Administration.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 6 = 144.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Public Financial Administration and Management.
  • Ethics in Public Administration and Administrative Justice.
  • Public Financial and Procurement Management III.
  • Public Policy.
  • Strategic Management 3A.
  • Strategic Management 3B.
  • Strategic Sourcing.
  • Supply Chain Alignment.
  • Supplier Relationship Management.
  • Project Management.
  • Organisational Studies in the Public Sector.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 7= 132. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop fundamental knowledge and understanding of public resources management in South Africa.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding, knowledge and insight into operations and applications of supply chain management in the public sector work environment.
    3. Provide skills and theoretical knowledge of local government management and inter-governmental relations.
    4. Apply the general management principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
    5. Analyse and interpret basic micro-economic concepts and principles.
    6. Apply financial management concepts and principles relating to financial analysis, investment decisions and financing decisions in order to achieve continued financial health in a business.

    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 components of management applicable to public resources management are explained.
  • The needs and the different sources of revenue in the public sector are identified.
  • The Treasury Regulations for cash management in the public sector are interpreted and applied.
  • The institutions and functionaries charged with stores administration are identified.
  • The elements of public administration in terms of the model are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The legal and constitutional framework pertaining to supply chain management is explained.
  • The important components of acquisition management are identified and explained.
  • Cost estimates and the awarding of preference points in planning and procurement administration are correctly applied.
  • The management of risks and the administration of contracts during bid evaluation and adjudication are explained.
  • The different selection methods and policy statements are explained for the appointment of consultants.
  • The purchasing and supply 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 3:
  • Various local government concepts are identified and explained.
  • The international structure of local governments is explained.
  • The structure, functions, powers and duties of local government are evaluated.
  • Policy making as a general government function is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Basic business plans that reflect an entrepreneurial approach to maximising the use of resources are developed.
  • The goal setting, planning and strategic planning functions of managers are utilised in an operational context.
  • The role of business in society and the position of business management in the business world are identified.
  • The objectives, importance and need for a business plan are described as they relate to the success of a business operation.
  • The role of management in a business is explained by supplying reasons why management is essential to any organisation.
  • Operational and management tasks and functions are controlled to ensure business objectives are met and that the performance of the business is continuously improved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The main economic problems in different economic systems are conceptualised and utilised to explain how the economies function.
  • The interaction between consumers and producers in a perfectly competitive goods market are explained and conceptualised.
  • Pricing decisions of firms under perfect and imperfect market conditions in the short- and long run are conceptualised, applied, calculated and evaluated.
  • Factors that affect the labour market in a perfectly competitive and imperfect labour market are conceptualised.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Capital, income, cost and profit are analysed and interpreted.
  • The principles of time/value for money are applied by demonstrating the concepts of discounting and compounding.
  • Liquidity, solvency and profitability ratios are calculated and interpreted using a balance sheet and income statement.
  • Long term investment decisions are evaluated using capital budgeting techniques.
  • An auditing process is conducted in the public sector financial management.
  • Financial misconduct within the public sector financial management is controlled.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. The programme contains self-assessment tasks with feedback. There is also 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 are set on a representative selection of outcomes practiced and assessed in the formative stage.

    Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

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

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Irish Institute of Purchasing and Material Management in Dublin offers a Bachelor of Business Procurement and Supply Management. The main aim of the qualification is to develop an in-depth understanding of business management and the purchasing and supply function. The qualification consists of a combination of three mandatory modules and two elective modules.

    Mandatory modules:
  • Financial Management.
  • Operational Supply.
  • Operational Supply Management.
  • Business Law.

    Electives Modules (select two):
  • Operational Management.
  • Logistics Management.
  • Retail Chanel Management.
  • Public Sector Procurement.

    In the United Kingdom and other countries, The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) offer qualifications at Bachelor's Degree level that help them to progress their career in purchasing, procurement or supply chain management.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification from Dublin compares favourably with the Bachelor of Commerce in Public Procurement Management because they have similar procurement, management and public administration modules. The CIPS programmes also compare well with this qualification despite not including a specific public service focus, as they deal with the same Supply Chain Management knowledge and skills. The CIPS content is based on globally accepted theory and practice. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Supply Chain Management, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts: Public Management and Governance, Level 7.

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

    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 inter-personal 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.
  • Subject matter experience must be well developed within the field of Management.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at NQF Level 8 or above. 
    		•

    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.