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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Certificate in Management Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96712  Advanced Certificate in Management Studies 
ORIGINATOR
MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
36068  Certificate: Management Studies  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The AdvancedCertificate in Management Studies is a qualification that provides an introduction to management theory and practice. It provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary management practice in a national and international context as well as an introduction to quantitative management methods.

The qualification aims to develop conceptual understanding, synthesis and application of management theory for learners wishing to progress in management careers.

The qualification is directed towards technically qualified persons occupying junior and middle management positions in organisations, who are aspiring towards senior management positions. It is directed primarily at non-commerce learners to enable them to develop and improve their management skills. Such learners would not have had previous exposure to the theoretical underpinnings of management.

Upon completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:
  • Apply fundamental management principles in a work-based context.
  • Utilise technology to communicate effectively.
  • Solve marketing problems.
  • Interpret financial statements.
  • Manage information in a business context.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic economic principles.

    Rationale:
    The Advanced Certificate in Management Studies contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development in management for social and economic development. This qualification provides learners with the opportunity to proceed on a course of study towards the attainment of a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Upon completion of the qualification the learner will attain the necessary the skills and competencies to be able to function and grow in corporate and business environments. The qualification will also broaden the social base of learners in higher education by targeting mature learners with work experience. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the recognition of prior learning. In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification:
  • It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of an examination of their Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/companies.

    Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating these candidates include:
  • The applicants' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies; Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references; The nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
  • Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered, standard achieved.
  • The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.
  • The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the qualification.

    Where prior learning is recognised for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the intended qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is a Higher Certificate in the relevant cognate field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 6, totalling 120 Credits:
  • Microeconomics, 20 Credits.
  • Principles of management, 20 Credits.
  • Marketing, 20 Credits.
  • Business statistics, 20 Credits.
  • Business information systems, 20 Credits.
  • Accounting, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply fundamental management principles in a work-based context.
    2. Utilise technology to communicate effectively.
    3. Solve marketing problems.
    4. Interpret financial statements.
    5. Demonstrate knowledge of basic economic principles. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Management theories are identified and analysed and an organisation is located within these typologies.
  • The management challenges confronting managers within their work organisation are outlined.
  • The management environment is described and the external and internal environment of an organisation is analysed.
  • The different functions of management are differentiated.
  • Decision-making techniques are utilised.
  • Group theory is applied to terms in a number of contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The operational, managerial and strategic roles of information systemsare described.
  • An appreciation of the major concepts, developments, and managerial implications involved in computer hardware, software, database management and telecommunications technologies is gained.
  • An understanding of how information technology is used in modern information systems to support the end user collaboration, enterprise operations, managerial decision making, and strategic advantage is undertaken.
  • IS systems to support decision making are utilised.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The nature and scope of the market environment is described.
  • Environmental factors that impact on marketing in an organisation are identified and evaluated.
  • Basic marketing research concepts are applied to the organisation.
  • Target markets are determined and market segmentation undertaken for particular products and services.
  • A basic marketing strategy for an organisation is developed.
  • Product prices are defined, classified and determined.
  • The role of the channel of distribution is described and differentiated between types of channels.
  • Retailers and wholesalers are classified according to a number of different organisational and operating dimensions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • How the major documents of financial information are produced.
  • Financial information to analyse an organisation's performance is utilised.
  • Financial information to produce and understand costs is implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The relationship between the different sectors, markets and flows is described.
  • The basic concepts and techniques of economic analysis are explained.
  • How demand and supply can be used to analyse development in different markets is explained.
  • The concepts of price, income and cross elasticity of demand is defined and applied.
  • The basic production and cost concepts required to analyse the decisions of firms to supply quantities at various prices are described.
  • Outputs and various prices related to profit maximisation, efficiency maximisation and revenue maximisation are identified.
  • The equilibrium of a perfectly competitive industry is explained.
  • Cost and revenue concepts in different market structures are applied.
  • The modern theory of the firm with traditional theory is compared and contrasted.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is carried out by:
  • The use of work based assignments to test the application of management principles in the organisation.
  • The use of numerical exercises to test the calculation , implication and interpretation of quantitative concepts.
  • The use of technology in the submission of assignments and access to learning resources.
    Integrated assessment will assess the extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of management education.

    The assessment methods will measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through the modules.

    These assessment methods will include:
  • Case studies.
  • Report writing.
  • Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
  • Work based assignments.
  • Self-assessment activities in the course material. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    MANCOSA was established in the post 1994 period with the view of addressing the critical shortage of access to management education in South Africa. Between 1995 and 2000 MANC0SA was engaged in providing Private Higher Education to South Africans in association with its former partner the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College a College of the University of Brunel, in the United Kingdom.

    The Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College is listed as an accredited state recognised institution in the United Kingdom. During this 5-year period MANCOSA successfully delivered tuition and academic and administrative support to over 860 students enrolled on the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, Certificate in Management Studies Programme.

    The outcomes and assessment criteria, the degree of complexity and the notional learning time of this qualification have been benchmarked against MANCOSA'S former international partner, the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College and best national and international practice.

    This Programme has also been accredited by the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Advanced Certificate in Management Studies is the foundation for the Diploma in Management Studies at NQF Level 6, of which it articulates horizontally. In addition this qualification, also provides opportunities of vertical articulation to Advanced Diploma Management qualifications at NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces Qual ID 36068, which is the Certificate: Management Studies, Pre-2009 Level 6, 120 credits. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 


    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.