Advanced Diploma in Business Administration

Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Office Administration

Purpose and Rationale

Qualification Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with broad-based theoretical and practical knowledge of business administration. This qualification is a vocational qualification designed to equip learners with a sound understanding of concepts, processes, and techniques to supervise and manage any business-related environment. It also prepares learners to conduct preliminary research, contributing to the economic and social up-skilling of South Africa.

The primary purpose of the qualification is to prepare learners for senior administration level and first-line management positions in the private and public sectors. It further prepares learners for Postgraduate study and to become fully competent organizational leaders and managers within and across the core functions of an organization.

Rationale:

There is a high level of unemployment and shortages of specific skills in the South African economy. This qualification aims to provide learners with extensive understanding in business administration, management, marketing, project management, and financial management to ensure effective functioning through essential business strategies, principles, and research techniques.

It builds on the fundamental principles, concepts, and methods of disciplinary knowledge and skills gained in the qualification and related Diplomas, allowing learners to broaden their knowledge scope and gain an in-depth understanding of areas of specialization. This prepares them adequately for Postgraduate studies in relevant fields.

The rationale for the qualification is to instill business administration, managerial, financial, project management, and research skills in learners to support their academic talents. Emphasis is also placed on effective corporate governance, transparency, and ethics in management.

Upon completion, a qualified learner will be able to work in both the public and private sectors as administrators, office/business managers, project managers, and general managers.

Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of enquiry and their suitability to specific investigations in the field of business administration, as well as the ability to select and apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within the practice of business administration.
Apply management accounting principles in an enterprise.
Manage projects related to business administration within the enterprise.
Demonstrate a full understanding and practical application of the marketing management concept.
Interpret financial statements and draw relevant conclusions for investment purposes.
Apply administrative principles within the business environment.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

**Analyse and evaluate a range of methods of enquiry for their suitability to specific investigations in the field of business administration.
**Select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to resolve problems or introduce change within the practice of business administration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

**Apply elementary accounting principles.
**Analyse and interpreting income statements and balance sheets of a business.
**Correctly analysing and interpret ratios and cash flow statements of a business.
**Analyse, interpreting and compiling a short and long-term capital structure for a business.
**Analyse, interpreting and compiling an effective working capital policy and procedure for business.
**Correctly analysing, interpreting and applying job order costing, process costing, and standard costing principles.
**Analyse, interpreting and setting a budgetary system for a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

**Demonstrate an understanding of project life cycles and work break- down structures.
**Develop a project schedule including a project procurement schedule and a basic project resource plan and S-curve.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

**Explaining the role and integration of marketing as one of the functional areas in a business environment.
**Analysing relevant marketing management principles and practices for an enterprise.
**Evaluating an enterprise in order to compile a comprehensive marketing plan for the enterprise successfully.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

**Analyse and critically evaluate the financial statements of any organisation.
**Apply investment decisions based on the analysis of financial statements.
**Conclude on short and long-term budgets and display an understanding of the management of the finances of an organisation.
**Apply long term decisions on the feasibility of projects using investment techniques.
**Estimate a project's cash flow and business risks and its suitability for inclusion in a firm's portfolio of investments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

**Analyse the business environment and demonstrate the ability to implement administrative principles and practices.
**Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyse, and organise theoretical and practical information across a range of functional areas of business administration.
**Apply strategic decisions in a theoretically sound way, ensuring goal maximisation, as well as a willingness to apply innovative solutions where appropriate.

Integrated Assessment:

**Various Qualification Assessment strategies used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
**Assessment strategies include Participative assessment and case method approach.
**Formative assessment includes tests, presentations, assignments, case study methods, practical exercises, and projects (in the case of research).
**Summative assessment includes a written examination.

Qualification Details

Type: Advanced Diploma
NQF Level: 07
Min. Credits: 120
SAQA Source: More Information

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Walter Sisulu University

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a comprehensive university located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of three institutions: the University of Transkei, the Eastern Cape Technikon, and the Border Technikon. WSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and humanities, business and management sciences, education, health sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The university is committed to providing quality education and promoting social justice, equity, and sustainable development. WSU has multiple campuses spread across different regions of the Eastern Cape, including Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City (East London), and Queenstown. Each campus offers a unique learning environment and facilities to cater to the diverse needs of students. The university is named after Walter Sisulu, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC). It aims to honor his legacy by fostering a culture of activism, social responsibility, and community engagement among its students and staff. Overall, Walter Sisulu University strives to be a leading institution of higher learning in South Africa, providing accessible and relevant education to empower individuals and contribute to the development of the Eastern Cape region and the country as a whole.

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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.