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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96417  Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
Damelin 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2030-06-30  

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Learners meeting the requirements of this qualification will be positioned to assume entry-level responsibilities within the business and commerce environment in a chosen area of specialisation. This will enable valuable contribution to business through the integrated use and application of business, commerce and financial theory and practice.

Furthermore learners who successfully complete the qualification will be positioned to further their learning in other aspects of the broader disciplines of commerce from a vantage point of a solid foundational understanding of the structures, operations, and legislative framework specific of the business environment.

The qualification thus aims to provide learners working in or interested in working within the field of commerce with the knowledge, skills and competencies expected of individuals functioning in areas where related business skills and competencies will support employment in a highly competitive environment.

Upon qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of management requirements relevant to the business environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of accounting in the business environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of legislative requirements in the business environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of economic concepts, principles and theories from a business perspective.
  • Use and apply principles of research in order to investigate business related issues.
  • Apply discipline specific concepts, principles, practice and techniques in support of business strategy.

    Rationale:
    The main objective of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with generic knowledge, skills and applied competencies in a number of areas associated with Business, Commerce and the Management environment. In addition, learners will be able to make a constructive contribution in the field of business, commerce and management studies in response to the growing demands of the global business environment.

    In order to meet the demands of the business environment learners need to obtain the necessary critical, analytical and organisational skills associated with key management and business disciplines. The qualification provides knowledge, applied competencies and the necessary attitudes associated with general business studies required for the preparation of learners to follow a professional career in the field of commerce with a specific interest in business management.

    The qualification is designed to provide the learners with a wide range of skills relevant to the field of commerce whilst at the same time building competence in a particular area. In support of this approach, the qualification provides for specialisation from the second year of study in the operational areas of:
  • Risk Management.
  • Compliance Management.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

    The qualification provides a solid foundation in the theoretical knowledge associated with management and business disciplines to further advancement and expansion of the applied competency in preparation for a career in a selected specialisation area.
    These may include employment in areas such as:
  • General Management.
  • Business Management.
  • Accounting and Financial Management.
  • Risk Management.
  • Compliance Management.
  • Logistics Management.
  • Supply Chain Management.

    The qualification will address the issue of shortages of qualified personnel and contribute to the development of ethical practices and good governance in the business sector thereby contributing to the business environment and the economy at large. The qualification will enable a culture of lifelong learning through vertical and horizontal articulation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning and the Qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses providing they can demonstrate competence in the Exit Level Outcomes.

    Learners will be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and may be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to degree studies.
  • National Certificate Vocation (NCV) at NQF Level 4 granting access to degree studies.
    Or
  • A Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsements.
    Or
  • An Advanced Certificate. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 and electives modules at NQF Levels 6 and 7 totalling 361 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 96 Credits:
  • Business Communication, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Mathematics 1, 8 Credits.
  • Principles of Corporate Governance, 10 Credits.
  • Business Management 1, 10 Credits.
  • Principles of Business Administration, 12 Credits.
  • Economics 1, 12 Credits.
  • Commercial Law 1, 10 Credits.
  • Ethics, Professionalism and Reflective Practice, 10 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6, 114 Credits:
  • Business Management 2, 15 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 2, 12 Credits.
  • Management Information Systems, 15 Credits.
  • Economics 2, 15 Credits.
  • Commercial Law 2, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Research, 15Credits.
  • Financial Accounting reporting, 10 Credits.
  • Work directed project A, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Mathematics 2, 8 Credits.

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 6, 30 Credits:
    Learners must select a specialisation that is either Risk Management or Compliance Management or Logistics and Supply Chain Management:
    Risk Management:
  • Principles of organisational risk management, 15 Credits.
  • Investment management, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Compliance Management:
  • Corporate Governance Practice 1, 15 Credits.
  • Regulatory Framework - Compliance, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Logistics and Supply Chain Management:
  • Regulatory framework - Supply Chain and Logistics, 15 Credits.
  • Supply Chain and Logistics Management, 15 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7, 91 Credits:
  • Strategic Business Management, 12 Credits.
  • Management Accounting, 10 Credits.
  • Knowledge Management and Administration, 12 Credits.
  • Risk Management, 15 Credits.
  • Internal Auditing, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Auditing theory and process, 15 Credits.
  • Work directed project B, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 7, 30 Credits:
    Learners will continue with the specialisation chosen:
    Risk Management:
  • Risk and Financial Management techniques, 15 Credits.
  • Risk Assessment models and methodologies, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Compliance Management:
  • Corporate Governance Practice 2, 15 Credits.
  • Compliance Risk management, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Logistics and Supply Chain Management:
  • Supplier management and development, 15 Credits.
  • Supply Chain and Logistics Systems, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply an understanding of management requirements relevant to the business environment.
    2. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts, principles and practices of accounting in the business environment.
    3. Demonstrate understanding of legislative requirements in the business environment.
    4. Apply economic concepts, principles and Theories from a business perspective.
    5. Apply principles of research in order to investigate business related issues.
    6. Apply discipline specific concepts, principles, practice and techniques in support of business strategy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The processes, principles, theories and structures of management from a business environment perspective are investigated.
  • Understanding of essential management competencies as it applies to planning, organising, decision-making, teamwork and communication is demonstrated.
  • Understanding of business management requirements through the application of business management concepts and theories is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of the relationship between management and business operations, processes and systems in terms of its impact on operational efficiency is demonstrated.
  • The role of information systems and administration in support of the management function is investigated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Business transactions are accurately recorded in order to complete financial statements.
  • Financial statements are prepared in order to meet accounting principles and standards.
  • Financial problems applicable to the business environment are solved by means of the use of financial techniques and the interpretation and evaluation of financial statements.
  • Mathematical calculations associated with financial accounting and financial management in support of decision-making is performed.
  • Financial records by means of internal auditing principles and practice in support of good governance and legislative compliance are evaluated.
  • Financial information in the required format in order to meet specified needs is communicated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Compliance and implementation requirements applicable to relevant business legislation in line with business and specialisation requirements are investigated.
  • The concepts, principles and practices of commercial law are applied to the business and operational environment.
  • Ethical business conduct and governance issues are investigated in order to support informed ethical business decisions based on appropriate ethical values and approaches.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The role of government in the macro-economic environment is explained in relation to its impact on business.
  • The concepts, principles and theories of macro-economics are investigated in terms of its business and management implications.
  • The concepts, principles and theories of micro-economics are explained in terms of market structure and economic determinants.
  • Awareness of essential economic theory in relation to its business and management implications from a South African perspective is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • A business research problem and proposal is developed to conduct research under supervision.
  • Data to assess business scenarios by means of the use of research principles is collected, analysed and evaluated.
  • Academic and professional business conventions and formats to compile and present a work integrated research project are used.
  • Research principles and methods in order to investigate and report on business needs and requirements in relation to a specific management specialisation area are utilised.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Awareness of the essential components of effective strategy development for a selected management specialisation area is demonstrated.
  • The ability to represent, analyse and interpret specific inter-disciplinary knowledge skills and competencies for a selected business specialisation area are demonstrated.
  • Knowledge and understanding of inter-disciplinary knowledge, skills and competencies in a selected business specialisation area so as to support regulatory compliance in a required context are demonstrated.
  • Relevant inter-disciplinary principles and theory are contextualised in order to investigate and evaluate a work related project in a selected management specialisation area.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and must ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. For this purpose, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the Qualification.

    A variety of methods must be used in assessment and tools and activities must be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working. These different assessment methods and tools are used within the two assessment forms, namely; formative and summative. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparison for the Bachelor of Commerce (Business Management) NQF Level 7 was conducted against international qualifications within the context of institutions with world-renowned reputations for the provision of business leadership qualifications. The qualification was compared with qualifications from universities of following leading countries: University of Oxford in the UK, University of Manitoba in United States of America, and University of Melbourne in Australia.

    Bachelor of Commerce Business Management - University of Melbourne - (Australia):
    Learners are required to complete 24 modules. The first year modules are designed to introduce learners to the range of disciplines available and expose them to the fundamental theories upon which studies in business and economics are based. Most learners use their first year as an opportunity to explore the various commerce disciplines and decide upon their major. If a learner has not already chosen a major in the first year, they will need to do so at the beginning of second year. A learner is also required to take two compulsory modules in the second year. To complete a major, the learner must complete at least three third year modules in a particular discipline.

    First year:
    Learners are required to complete these three compulsory modules:
  • Introductory Microeconomics.
  • Introductory Macroeconomics.
  • Quantitative Methods 1.

    Second year:
    Learners are required to complete the following module:
  • Organisational Behaviour.
    And one of the following:
  • Quantitative Methods 2.
  • Introductory Econometrics.
  • Business Decision Analysis.
  • Market and Business Research.

    Third year:
    Learners are required to complete 3 third year modules in a particular discipline.

    Bachelor Degree in Economics and Management - Oxford University - United Kingdom:
    In the first year learners need to complete three compulsory modules. Learners choose to do five of their eight compulsory papers in the second year, although it is possible to do six. Learners are obliged to take the compulsory Economics papers of Macro-Economics, Micro-Economics and Quantitative Economics, so they take one each term of the second year. In the third year learners are required to complete 8 compulsory modules and need to complete one of the electives.

    First Year:
    During the first year, all learners attend lectures on three compulsory modules. These modules are the following:
  • General Management (Tutorial).
  • Financial Management (Class).
  • Introductory Economics (Lectures, classes and tutorials).

    Second Year:
    Second year compulsory Economics modules:
  • Macro-Economics.
  • Micro-Economics.
  • Quantitative Economics.

    Second year Management modules:
    Learners are required to choose any two or three from the list:
  • Accounting.
  • Employment Relations.
  • Finance.
  • Marketing.
  • Organisation Behaviour Analysis.
  • Strategy.
  • Technology.
  • Operations Management.

    Third Year:
    By the end of the second year, learners would have completed five (or six) of the eight modules.
    Third year Economics modules:
  • British Economic history since 1820.
  • Classical economic thought.
  • Command and transitional economies.
  • Comparative demographic systems.
  • Economies of developing countries.
  • Econometrics.
  • Industrial economics.
  • International economics.

    Third year Management modules:
    Learners have to choose one or two from those they have not chosen:
  • Accounting.
  • Employee Relations.
  • Finance Marketing.
  • Organisation Behaviour.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Technology.
  • Operations Management.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion it is evident that this qualification is comparable with the international qualifications as they have similar module focus areas. The modular similarities relates to disciplines such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management, Strategic Management and Business Management. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification provides the following articulation opportunities:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma: Business Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Business Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Agribusiness Management, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours): Agribusiness Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Business Management and Administration (Honours), NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Damelin 
    2. Damelin - Boksburg 
    3. Damelin - Braamfontein 
    4. Damelin - Mowbray 
    5. Damelin - Port Elizabeth 
    6. Damelin - Randburg 


    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.