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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97393  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  135  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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   2031-06-30  

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:
Upon completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate specialised knowledge of current and emerging underlying principles and issues in Information Systems in the rapidly changing technological and business environments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methods including the development of research skills, the planning and writing of research reports and oral presentation of research results.
  • Demonstrate an ability to identify and address Information System ethical issues based on a critical reflection on suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.

    Rationale:
    This qualification has been designed to enable learners to fulfil a critical role in any organisation - that of initiating and responding to change and the understanding of the technology that, so often, drives and enables change. The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems (BIS)is a qualification for learners who want to be in leadership positions as information systems professionals (e.g. IS consultants, directors or managers, chief information officers, IS policy analysts, consultants in e-Commerce, project managers) and for those wishing to pursue further research at Masters or Doctorate levels. The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems (BIS) offers an advanced study into the conceptual basis of Information Systems as a discipline and introduces learners to research methods and developments. The qualification offers learners analytical and critical skills that are relevant to many areas of employment. This qualification will allow the institution to make a contribution to Information Technology (IT)/Information Systems(IS) driven economy which also requires competency at higher level of skills. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners may be admitted based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) whereby applicants will undergo a selection testing; interviewing and submission of a portfolio of evidence. Individuals will be declared competent on the basis of the provisions of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution. The inclusion of RPL will benefit a large number of people who will find an opportunity to acquire a formal qualification or gain access to higher education.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science or any related field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 135 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 8, 90 Credits.
  • Information Systems Research Methods, 15 Credits.
  • Enterprise Systems Management, 15 Credits.
  • Data Mining and Warehousing, 15 Credits.
  • Information Systems Research Project 30 Credits.
  • Business Intelligence Systems, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 8, 105 Credits (Learners to choose 3 elective modules).
  • Information Systems Governance and Strategy, 15 Credits.
  • Mobile and Wireless Information Systems, 15 Credits.
  • Enterprise Programming Techniques, 15 Credits.
  • Object-Oriented Systems Design, 15 Credits.
  • Human Computer Interaction, 15 Credits.
  • Management of Information Technology, 15 Credits.
  • Enterprise Database Systems, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging underlying principles and issues in Information Systems in the rapidly changing technological and business environments.
    2. Apply the appropriate research methods in analysing advanced problems in the theory and practice of information systems.
    3. Identify and address Information System ethical issues based on a critical reflection on suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The roles and relationships between elements within Information System are understood.
  • An ability to operate effectively within Information Systems is demonstrated.
  • Software development, networking, information system management, information systems management, data mining and decision support skills are displayed.
  • The ever changing technologies are identified and applied in different business environments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Perspectives on key issues in Information Systems with reference to a range of academic sources are reflected on, critiqued and argued.
  • Information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in specialised contexts is critically reviewed in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
  • Multiple sources of knowledge in the Information Systems are interrogated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Ethical issues associated with Information Systems in the interests of balancing individual and public good are conceptualised and debated.
  • Ethical scenarios in the Information Systems Profession to support effective decision making of Information Systems are proposed and defended.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will comprise both formative and summative. The formative will be continuous and consist of assignments, case studies, tests, practical's, group work, presentations and research projects whilst the summative will be the final examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Business Information Systems (Honours) offered by Monash University in Australia is meant for learners progressing from the Bachelor of Business Information Systems (or equivalent qualification) to acquire research skills appropriate to their discipline and to understand the fundamentals of conceptual, methodological and implementation issues of IT-related research.

    Upon successful completion of this qualification, it is expected that learners will be able to demonstrate:
  • An understanding of the role of, and need for research relating to IT as it is used in industry.
  • An understanding of research theories and techniques applicable to business information systems.
  • An understanding of research issues related to business processes and decision-making in organisations.
  • An understanding of research ethics.
  • Display an ability to apply the methods and tools used in the development of systems to business problems.

    The University of Wellington in New Zealand offers a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Information Systems [BCom (Hons) in IS)]that provides an introduction to research. The BCom (Hons) in IS also provides the learner with the option to complete a Masters of Commerce in Information Systems. The BCom (Hons) in IS prepares learners to launch a career as a:
  • Business Analyst.
  • Specialised Technology Consultant.
  • Applications Development Analyst.
  • Data Warehousing Analyst.
  • IS Operations Specialist.
  • IT Outsourcing Analyst.
  • IT Quality Assurance Analyst.
  • IT Test Analyst.
  • Procurement Analyst.
  • Systems Integrator.
  • Technology Risk Analyst.
  • Technology Research Analyst.
  • Software Product Administrator.
  • Vendor Management Analyst.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the cited international qualifications in terms of the outcomes and career paths to be followed by the learners at the exit point. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification may provide the following possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems Auditing at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical:
  • Master of Commerce in Information Systems at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Information Technology at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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. University of Venda 


    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.