Bachelor of Commerce
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Finance Economics and Accounting
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Commerce Qualification
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide graduate-level knowledge, applied competences, and necessary attitudes to prepare learners for professional careers within the field of commerce. The Bachelor of Commerce offers solid critical knowledge of general business studies, specialized education in the main area of focus, emphasizing applied theory and reflexive knowledge and competence demonstration. This qualification allows for specialization in marketing, strategic management, or financial management from the second year of study, enabling learners to analyze scenarios in key areas of interest and make innovative decisions critical to modern business ventures in the chosen areas.
Rationale:
Bachelor's Degrees aim to provide a broad education that equips graduates with knowledge, theory, methodology, initiative, and responsibility for academic or professional contexts. This Bachelor of Commerce degree addresses the national skills shortage of versatile business leaders needed for various roles in the business sector. Graduates must demonstrate foundational knowledge, practical competence, and reflexive application in commerce to meet the demands of South Africa's trade policies and global business landscape. Commerce graduates require critical, analytical, and organizational skills to compete globally and enhance the South African economy's sustainability.
The program offers three specializations - Financial Management, Strategic Management, or Marketing Management - from the second year, allowing learners to select a stream for further focus after building a solid foundation in key management disciplines. Graduates will have the skills to contribute to economic growth, increase business leadership resources, and play essential roles as strategic thinkers and innovators in the commercial sector. This qualification also prepares graduates for postgraduate studies in commerce for further specialization in their chosen field of interest.
Career Opportunities:
Depending on their chosen specialization, graduates may pursue roles such as General Managers, Marketing and Sales Managers, Distribution Managers, Business Managers, or Financial Managers. This qualification also provides access to postgraduate studies for further specialization.
Outcomes
- Communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment, using academic and professional business conventions and formats.
- Formulate, implement and evaluate business strategies based on discipline-specific concepts, principles and business analysis.
- Assess and interpret the financial position of a business entity to inform strategic business decisions.
- Respond to given or contextual abstract problems related to the business environment.
- Take informed ethical business decisions, drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches, within a business environment.
- Apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within a business environment.
- Use information systems and appropriate technology in business. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Use written and oral language conventions effectively in different contexts.
- Utilise different styles of writing with appropriate conventions for genre and purpose.
- Produce professional writing with correct grammar, syntax, and punctuation in a business environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of marketing management and strategies.
- Apply concepts, facts, and theories of marketing and business management.
- Apply competitive strategies to create competitive advantage and support the organization's well-being.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of accounting concepts, principles, and practices.
- Accurately record business transactions and complete financial statements.
- Analyse financial status and working capital to inform strategic decision-making.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Evaluate business opportunities and propositions to make informed decisions.
- Contextualise business and market trends to assess global, regional, and local impact.
- Identify economic, political, environmental, and societal opportunities and concerns.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Demonstrate knowledge of commercial law within the business environment.
- Apply concepts, principles, and practices of commercial law to business situations.
- Ensure compliance with relevant business legislation and ethical business conduct.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Collect data to assess business problems and challenges.
- Conduct basic research by collecting, analysing, and organising data.
- Use research results to inform business decisions related to opportunities and propositions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Use accounting software to maintain financial records.
- Manage information and knowledge within an organization.
- Evaluate technology to improve business processes and efficiency.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative assessment: Continuous feedback on learning progress.
- Summative assessment: Judgement of learning outcomes in relation to the qualification.
- Integrated Assessments test the integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
- Designed to demonstrate achievement of Exit-Level Outcomes and applied competence.
- Criterion-referenced assessment explained to learners for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 366
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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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.