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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97601  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management 
ORIGINATOR
The Independent Institute of Education (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
Honours Degree  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 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:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to build on existing knowledge about the functional areas of management and to deepen their expertise and understanding of key management theories applicable to the contemporary context of business. This will consolidate and deepen learner insight and expertise in the core fields of the management discipline. The Degree will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and applied competencies identified by industry as critical for business development and sustainability in either the private, the government sector or in NGOs. Learners will also be well-prepared with the insight and skills that are relevant for further specialised study in support of the principles of life-long learning. The specific skills sets incorporated into the design presents a combination that is highly attractive to prospective employers and adds value to the organisation that employs them.

Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to demonstrate the following:
  • Evaluate innovative leadership and management practices in business, considering the implications of leadership and management strategy, as well as the national and international environment.
  • Analyse and strategise the global forces shaping international business from a South African perspective, including globalisation, trade and investment, and management in an international environment.
  • Analyse practical and accessible evidence-based approaches to managing contemporary issues and innovation in a wide range of contexts, both South African and international.
  • Evaluate contemporary management theories, approaches and practices as they relate to managing a business.
  • Implement an appropriate research design for primary and secondary research and report critically and analytically on data collected through primary and secondary research.

    Rationale:
    The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management aims to develop learners holding a Bachelor of Commerce with one of the Management disciplines at HEQSF Level 7 or an equivalent qualification, critical thinking and reflective skills. Furthermore, in line with industry demand, this qualification will build on a broad knowledge base of business, developed at undergraduate level and consolidate and deepen learners` insight and expertise in the core fields of the management discipline, thereby, extending learners knowledge on contemporary management theories in contemporary business contexts. Learners will be engaged with the various theories, research methodologies, techniques and contemporary issues relevant to management, with the aim of applying and advancing their knowledge of the contemporary business world. Thus, the qualification provides learners with an advanced set of expertise and theoretical depth in management that will support their progression in an organisation, in producing a more rounded industry-ready post-graduate learner.

    Learners will be equipped with a deep understanding of key management and leadership attributes, focussing on contemporary factors that impact on business today. Not only will this develop higher level business acumen in learners, but the theories of business will also be underpinned by the ability to apply solution-focused, systemic research geared towards building businesses in the South African and African economy, as well as being able to function in an international context. The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management qualification will therefore qualify competent business managers and leaders who are able to work in, and contribute to effective management in the contemporary business environment.

    Through a range of cutting edge management related competencies, that includes innovation and contemporary issues relating to business management, the purpose and outcomes of this qualification are seen as critical in driving a successful career in the business environment and will prepare learners to take up positions in a variety of business and related sectors.

    Examples of career opportunities for completed learners include:
  • General Management.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Entrepreneurship/Self-Employment.
  • Business Consulting.

    This qualification will prepare learners to continue their management studies at HEQSF Level 9. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners can achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The institution's RPL Policy and its Academic Credit and Qualification Completion Policy guide this process.

    Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning will be assessed in the RPL process.

    The institution's RPL Policy (IIE010) and its Academic Credit and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE004) guide the process whereby skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competence acquired through formal and non-formal learning are assessed. All RPL submissions are managed by an academic committee under the supervision of the Academic Manager and Registrar.

    Entry Requirements:
    Admission requirements for the qualification are as follows:
  • An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Advanced Diploma provided at 360 Credits in a cognate field has been completed or appropriate equivalent.

    More specifically:
  • A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
    Or
  • A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Degree (or equivalent qualification) with one of the management disciplines at HEQSF Level 7, as well as Statistics at least at 1st year level.
    Or
  • Applicants without Statistics in their undergraduate qualification will be required to complete a competency test and may be required to do an additional course in Statistics. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Management and Leadership, 21 Credits.
  • International Business Management, 21 Credits.
  • Research, 36 Credits.
  • Sustainability and Social Responsibility, 21 Credits.
  • Contemporary Management and Innovation, 21 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate innovative leadership and management practices in business, considering the implications of leadership and management strategy, as well as the national and international environment.
    2. Analyse and strategise the global forces shaping international business from a South African perspective, including globalisation, trade and investment, and management in an international environment.
    3. Analyse practical and accessible evidence-based approaches to managing contemporary issues and innovation in a wide range of contexts, both South African and international.
    4. Evaluate contemporary management theories, approaches and practices as they relate to managing a business.
    5. Implement an appropriate research design for primary and secondary research and report critically and analytically on data collected through primary and secondary research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The impacts of management and leadership on the implementation of strategy in a business are compared.
  • The theoretical framework and approaches to leadership and management are critically examined.
  • Issues in management and leadership development common to both a South African and an international business are evaluated.
  • How leadership strategy is formulated and implemented in a business is analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Location specific advantages that will allow a specific business to expand internationally and with new partners are discussed.
  • The interdependency of global monetary systems and foreign exchange markets are analysed.
  • A strategy that will enable a firm to enter and compete in a variety of global business environments is formulated.
  • The role and intricacies of operations management in a global business environment are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Market conditions and forecast emerging opportunities for innovation are surveyed and analysed.
  • Projects that will support innovation actions in a specific business context are evaluated and selected.
  • The impact of strategic innovation management actions on a business are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Key contemporary management perspectives of a South African business as compared to an international business of choice are discussed using relevant theoretical approaches.
  • The relevance of critical management studies to our knowledge of management and organisations are examined.
  • Theories of management are advanced and analysed to justify their importance to managers are analysed.
  • The environment of management is evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The criteria for conducting a meaningful research is identified.
  • A research problem and purpose, research questions and goals are defined.
  • Limitations and delimitations to a field specific research study are identified.
  • An appropriate research design is developed and implemented.
  • Secondary research by means of a literature study that argues the research problem is reported on.
  • Primary research data to produce research findings and insights is analysed.
  • A report that reflects on the research design and provides meaningful recommendations for a further research is written.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment is required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, a reflective internship journal and an integrated programme portfolio based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

    Summative assessment:
    Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated assessments which test the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed. Summative assessment also tests the learners' ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

    Integrated assessments will be designed to achieve:
  • An integration of the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved.
  • The evaluation of learner performance which can provide evidence of applied competence.
  • Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the students and which can be applied in the recognition of prior learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international comparability study for the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management NQF Level 8 was conducted against international qualifications from the countries such as, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

    The University of Otago in New Zealand offers an internationally recognised qualification representing a high level of academic achievement, a BCom (Hons) Management. The aim of the Management Honours qualification is to graduate learners who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and understand the relationship between theory, research and practice, and who can use this understanding to effectively inform their behaviour. They can plan and carry out a research project in a way that demonstrates sound planning, analysis and communication skills and ethical practice. A Management Honours learner will be well prepared for a wide variety of professional roles within the field of management including various forms of business consulting.

    The BCom Management Honours qualification culminates with the oral and written presentation of the results of a research project. This project can take several forms. It can involve empirical research or working with literature to produce a conceptual paper, or a combination of both. Each project is unique, allowing learners to match their topic and approach to their interests, abilities and the supervision opportunities available. This qualification has the research component which is similar to the current one.

    University of Surrey in Guildford at the United Kingdom offers a BSc (Hons) in Management. The qualification provides learners with the key business disciplines. It enables learners to develop advanced knowledge and skills in a range of business functions while setting them within the wider context of current business practice. This qualification will help learners to develop transferable skills and support in progressing to a wide variety of learner career paths. In the final year of study learners will take part in an Entrepreneurship Project or what is called placement as professional work experience. This qualification is similar to the current one with the purpose.

    Conclusion:
    The key focus of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Management is contemporary management thinking and innovation in an international context, in order to equip graduates for the global market environment and sustainable organisational growth. The International comparison revealed that the qualification is similar in its approach to these qualifications in terms of their purpose and focus on one with research modules/projects and varied topics and themes in the discipline of management. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically as follows:

    Horizontal Articulation
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Enterprise Management, at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Business Administration, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Management, 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. The Independent Institute of Education (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.