UNISA

Bachelor of Commerce

Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting

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Purpose and Rationale

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level knowledge, specific skills, applied competence, and the necessary attitudes in the fields associated with commerce and industry. This equips them to be lifelong learners, employable workers/entrepreneurs, and contributors to society and the business community.

The second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with functional managers at the middle management level in all sectors of the economy.

A further purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates with a self-sustaining understanding of the process whereby productive resources are mobilized and utilized to be gainfully employed in serving the material needs of society in a globalized world.

Outcomes

  1. The BCom graduate can identify, analyse, formulate, and serve the commercial and economic needs of individuals and society creatively and innovatively.
  2. The BCom graduate can work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks growing out of the business, commerce and management fields.
  3. The BCom graduate can manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibility and effectively, including her or his studies within the distance context.
  4. The BCom graduate can collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information, as required in the pursuit of the BCom.
  5. The BCom graduate can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of written presentation.
  6. The BCom graduate can use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
  7. The BCom graduate can demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community. Developmental: In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learners and the social and economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of the following developmental outcomes:
  8. The BCom graduate can reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively (see Critical Outcomes 3 and 5 above).
  9. The BCom graduate can participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local and national communities (also see Critical Outcome 2 above).
  10. The BCom graduate can be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts (see Critical Outcomes 2 and 7).
  11. The BCom graduate can explore education and career opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification (see all Critical Outcomes above).
  12. The BCom graduate can develop entrepreneurial opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification (see all Critical Outcomes, plus 4 above). Specific: A BCom student is actively engaged in becoming a well-rounded, educated person and in preparing for further, more specific study and/or the work environment. As such she or he develops and holds certain values and integrates knowledge and skills to achieve her or his purposes. The specific outcomes show how knowledge, skills and values are integrated in the qualification in the SAQA fields of Business, Commerce on Management Studies (03) with lesser emphasis on Communication Studies and Language (4), Human and Social Studies (07), Law, Military Science and Security (08), Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences (10) and Services (12).
  13. The BCom graduate can apply general business principles to real life situations.
  14. The BCom graduate can interpret economic realities of local community.
  15. The BCom graduate can manage resources (financial, human and raw materials in organisations).
  16. The BCom graduate can manage information appropriately.
  17. The BCom graduate can relate knowledge and its contribution to developing different cultures.
  18. The BCom graduate can arrive at informed assessment in terms of what happens to human beings and human knowledge in new technological context in the business environment.
  19. The BCom graduate can demonstrate people skills.
  20. The BCom graduate participate in creating and sustaining a just and democratic society.
  21. The BCom graduate can practice the ethics pertinent to particular professions.
  22. The BCom graduate can demonstrate entrepreneurial skills (see Cros-field outcome above).
  23. The BCom graduate can address the socio-economic needs of society.
  24. The BCom graduate can analyse financial information critically.

Assessment Criteria

Critical Cross-Field:

Evidence in the form of tasks in study materials, written assignments, portfolio tasks, projects, case studies and examinations will show that learners:

  1. Identify Needs and Opportunities:

    • Explore and critically evaluate abstract and personal situations.
    • Generate alternative strategies for problem-solving.
    • Overcome communication problems creatively.
    • Critically evaluate various viewpoints.
    • Offer evidence to support their views.
    • Identify needs and opportunities in personal lives and business settings.
    • Solve problems drawing upon theoretical knowledge and experiential base.
    • Propose ways to serve business and societal needs in various contexts.
    • Analyze global, national, and local community problems, needs, and opportunities.

  2. People Skills:

    • Demonstrate tolerance, empathy, and listening skills in group situations.
    • Respect others' opinions without bias.
    • Undertake projects and interact successfully with others.
    • Use effective communication skills within groups.
    • Lead effectively and be a supportive group participant.
    • Organize effective working groups and communicate group interactions.

  3. Study Skills and Learning Strategies:

    • Organize study plans and use various learning strategies.
    • Cope with self-discipline necessary for distance learning.
    • Think independently and assess strengths and weaknesses.
    • Develop coping strategies.

  4. Basic Research Skills:

    • Use library and resources effectively.
    • Integrate information from various sources.
    • Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar.
    • Demonstrate awareness of relevant conventions and guidelines.
    • Analyze theories and examples critically.

  5. Communication Skills:

    • Provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
    • Use language conventions appropriately.
    • Use visuals and numbers accurately.
    • Interpret numbers and use statistics in business applications.
    • Recognize communication limitations and seek help.

  6. Attitude towards Scholarship and Technology:

    • Use scientific investigation methods.
    • Select appropriate technology.
    • Use technology and natural resources responsibly.
    • Consider ethics in science and technology.
    • Show respect for the environment and technology.

  7. Prior Knowledge and Experience:

    • Connect abstract theory to personal contexts.
    • Draw upon prior knowledge and experience.
    • Apply systems thinking to solve problems.
    • Adapt to different organizational cultures.

Developmental:

  1. Learning Strategies:

    • Explain knowledge in own words.
    • Follow academic conventions.
    • Apply learning in various contexts.
    • Display self-awareness and effective study skills.

  2. Tolerance and Participation:

    • Display tolerance and willingness to participate.
    • Apply knowledge in diverse contexts.
    • Act as leaders in the business community.

  3. Cultural Awareness:

    • Demonstrate awareness and tolerance of diversity.
    • Use skills to understand cultural contexts.
    • Illustrate the value of open-mindedness.

  4. Application of Knowledge:

    • Connect theoretical knowledge to real-world application.
    • Apply skills valued in the workplace.
    • Solve problems effectively and adapt to different contexts.

  5. Entrepreneurial Skills:

    • Create job opportunities and communicate value effectively.
    • Demonstrate confidence in knowledge and skills.
    • Identify and evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities.

Specific:

  1. Strategic Problem-Solving:

    • Analyze real-life situations and propose strategic solutions.
    • Organize resources effectively and evaluate outcomes.
    • Discuss information professionally and numerically.

  2. Economic Application:

    • Interpret economic events and apply principles to real-life situations.
    • Relate learning to different contexts and scenarios.

  3. Resource Management:

    • Evaluate resource allocation and convey findings effectively.

  4. Interdisciplinary Information:

    • Use interdisciplinary information to address socio-economic issues.
    • Integrate information from different sources and fields.

  5. Interdisciplinary Relations:

    • Relate information across disciplines and cultural systems.

  6. Technology Integration:

    • Use technology to access knowledge and analyze its impact.
    • Apply technology appropriately in specific fields.

  7. Human Resource Management:

    • Interact effectively in culturally diverse societies and manage human resources.

  8. Empathy and Understanding:

    • Empathize with others and respect diverse opinions and cultures.

  9. Professionalism and Ethics:

    • Act professionally and ethically, taking responsibility and being accountable.

  10. Entrepreneurial Skills:

    • Analyze situations for entrepreneurial possibilities and manage small to medium-sized businesses.

  11. Stakeholder Analysis:

    • Address key stakeholders and assess economic and socio-economic needs.

  12. Financial Acumen:

    • Demonstrate knowledge of accounting, financial statements, investment principles, and financial decision-making.

Integrated Assessment:

  1. Formative Assessment:

    • Learning and assessment are integrated with continuous feedback.

  2. Summative Assessment:

    • Examinations or portfolios assess a representative selection of outcomes and integration of knowledge.

Qualification Details

Type
National First Degree
NQF Level
07
Min. Credits
360
SAQA Source
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Description
UNISA, short for the University of South Africa, is a distance education institution based in South Africa. It is the largest university on the African continent and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study. UNISA provides flexible learning options, allowing students to study at their own pace and from anywhere in the world. The university is known for its commitment to providing accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population. UNISA also conducts research and collaborates with other institutions to contribute to the development of knowledge and skills in South Africa and beyond.
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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.