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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94058  Bachelor of Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
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  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:
This programme is aimed at producing much needed graduates to enter the Management and Business environments/fields. A sound grounding is provided in the knowledge, theory and skills required in the Commerce and Business fields. With this qualification, learners will be qualified to enter a wide range of occupations.

It will empower graduates with foundational, practical and reflexive competence at a graduate-level to enable them to pursue careers in the local, national, regional and global business and public sector economic environments. The qualification will provide graduates with up-to-date specialist knowledge in accounting, business law and statistics. It also offers a wide range of specialisations which offer the learner relevant knowledge and skills applicable in specific business and/or commercial niches in which they might wish to be employed or study further. This structure provides the learner with the opportunity to tailor his/her learning to different contexts and different environments while ensuring a knowledge of the theory, principles and core elements in the relevant chosen discipline area. The qualification will enable the learner to develop his/her intellectual capacity to understand the economic and business environment and to think critically and innovatively.

Rationale:
South Africa, as is the case with all developing countries, is faced with a shortage of skilled personnel, particularly in the fields of entrepreneurship and management. Knowledge and skills in these areas and particularly in financial management are required to ensure the sustainability of business enterprises. This qualification will help to develop that knowledge and those skills. The qualification will enable successful learners to integrate management theory and practice skills with technical and professional skills.

Successful learners will have the knowledge and skills to compete successfully in the global business environment both nationally and internationally.

The qualification will give access to higher levels of learning. The qualification addresses the country's need for competent middle and senior managers in both the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners have developed competencies in Communication (English) and Mathematics at NQF Level 4 i.e. in the Senior Certificate examinations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to:
  • Grant admission to learners who do not meet the admission requirements.
  • Grant credits to learners for learning already completed that matches that in this qualification, with the proviso that no more than 50% of the credits for this qualification may be awarded through RPL.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners who meet one of the following the admission requirements may apply for admission to the qualification:
  • A Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption with a "C" Symbol for English and Mathematics.
  • A Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree study with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics.
  • A National Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor Degree study with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics.
  • A National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 with the attainment of a "4" for English and Mathematics (Mathematics Literacy does not qualify in this instance). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learners are to complete:
    The following 24 Compulsory modules:
  • Basic Reading and Comprehension.
  • Computer Fundamentals for Business.
  • Spreadsheets for Financial Management.
  • Office Automation and Word Processing.
  • Financial Life Skills.
  • Price Theory.
  • General Economy.
  • Macro-Economic Policies.
  • Computer Life Skills.
  • Business Environment.
  • Business Management I.
  • Business Management II.
  • Numeracy.
  • Double Entry Bookkeeping.
  • Elementary Financial Statements.
  • VAT Cashbooks and Software Package.
  • Business Law A.
  • Business Law B.
  • Business Law C.
  • Business Law D.
  • Marketing Fundamentals.
  • Descriptive Statistics and Probability.
  • Inferential Statistics.
  • Introductory Financial Mathematics.
    And
    An additional 24 elective modules chosen as follows:
    Two Modules from Option 1 below:
  • Professional and Statutory Requirements in Auditing.
  • Partnerships and Share Capital.
  • Basic Principles of Insurance.
  • Labour Market.
  • Human Resources Management I.
  • Microeconomics: Consumption and Markets.
    Two Modules from Option 2 below:
  • Audit Risk and Field Work.
  • Marketing Mix.
  • Schedule 4 Disclosure.
  • Terminating Accounting IIa.
  • Insurance Documentation and Practice.
  • Labour Policies.
  • Human Resources Management II.
  • Microeconomics: Firms and Factors.
    Two Modules from Option 3 below:
  • Introduction to Financial Management.
  • Basic Financial Management A.
  • Deferred Tax and Leases.
  • Insurance Risk Management.
  • Quantitative Microeconomics.
  • Industrial Relations in South Africa.
  • Macroeconomics: Classical and Keynesian Theories.
    Two Modules from Option 4 below:
  • Introduction to Management Accounting.
  • Financial Management B.
  • Introduction to Group Financial Statements.
  • Short Term Insurance.
  • Quantitative Macroeconomics.
  • Collective Bargaining and Industrial Action.
  • Applied Macroeconomics.
    Four Modules from Option 5 below:
  • Accounting/Financial Information Systems.
  • Job and Process Costing Systems.
  • General Management Principals.
  • Fundamentals of Life Insurance.
  • Public Expenditure Analysis.
  • Agricultural Economics.
  • The Income Tax Framework.
  • Assets and Extraordinary Item Disclosure.
  • Organisational Behaviour One.
  • Revenue, Acquisition and Payroll Cycles.
    Four Modules from Option 6 below:
  • Management Information Systems.
  • Budgeting and Standard Costing Systems.
  • General Management Elements.
  • Employment Benefit Schemes.
  • Public Revenue and Stabilisation.
  • Agricultural Development Policies.
  • Taxation of Individuals and Partnerships.
  • Disclosure in Terms of GAAP.
  • Organisational Behaviour Two.
  • Stock and Finance Cycles.
  • Concluding The Audit.
    Four Modules from Option 7 below:
  • Information System Management I.
  • Capital Structure, Valuations and Enterprise Valuation.
  • Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship.
  • Career Psychology.
  • International Economics.
  • Nature and Process of Development.
  • Forex, Company Tax and Avoidance.
  • Cashflows and Business Combinations.
  • Introduction to Administrative Law.
  • Statutory and Corporate Governance Requirements.
    Four Modules from Option 8 below:
  • Financial Engineering and Restructuring.
  • New Venture Planning.
  • Research Methods.
  • Trade and Exchange Rate Policies.
  • Development Policy.
  • Donations Tax Estate Duty and VAT.
  • Advanced Consolidation Concepts.
  • Introduction to Industrial Law.
  • Computer Auditing and Audit Reports. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
    1. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of general principles and theories of business and their application in business and commerce.
    2. Demonstrate technical and communication skills and knowledge that are appropriate in the area(s) of their chosen specialisation.
    3. Display a continuing professional approach to work, community responsibilities and personal development.
    4. Solve problems in business and commerce.
    5. Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in organisations to create the opportunity to develop as a leader in a multi-disciplinary environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The subject outcomes specified for each module are used to ascertain competence in the modules and the following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to ascertain competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Formulate and solve contextual problems and propose potential solutions.
  • Read and interpret academic and professional texts and formulating written analyses in own area of specialisation.
  • Apply theories and principles to work related tasks.

    Integrated assessment:

    The assessment used in the various modules includes:
  • Formative assessments, tasks and written assignments such as:
    > Class participation.
    > Research projects.
    > Oral presentations and assessment.
    > Mid-semester tests.
    > Group assessment.

    Summative assessments at the conclusion of each module.

    Assessment is designed to test progress in learning and final mastery of theory, principles and related skills, as well as the application of knowledge. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Bachelor of Commerce Degrees are offered in virtually every university around the world. The contents of those degrees show great variation in subjects offered and in the content of each subject. However, all contain large elements of financial management which includes accounting and economics as does this qualification. This qualification differs from most others in that it offers entry level learning in:
  • Basic Reading and Comprehension.
  • Computer Fundamentals for Business.
  • Spreadsheets for Financial Management.
  • Office Automation and Word Processing.
  • Financial Life Skills.

    These formative subjects are needed to assist the many school leavers who enrol for Bachelor's Degrees with have poor reading, writing, mathematical and computer skills. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers vertical articulation into cognate Honours Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas at NQF Level 8. It also offers articulation horizontally into an Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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 Zululand 


    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.