DESCRIPTION AND PROGRAMME PURPOSE

This programme aims to prepare students for careers in finance, banking, investment, and other related fields. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to analyse financial data, make strategic financial decisions, and manage financial resources effectively. Students develop critical thinking skills through the analysis of complex financial scenarios. They learn to solve problems related to financial decision-making, risk assessment, and investment strategies.
Given the importance of ethics in finance, the programme often emphasises ethical considerations in financial decision making. Graduates are expected to make responsible and ethical choices in their professional roles.

The financial landscape is dynamic, and the programme aims to instill adaptability in students. This includes staying updated on industry trends, technological advancements, and changes in regulatory frameworks.

The BCom degree appears on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) list of recognised qualifications for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes.

WHO SHOULD ENROL

The programme would be suitable for:

• an employed person who wants to enhance his or her knowledge of the core areas of competence related to financial management.
• a person employed in a junior position in the financial services industry who might want to move into the financial management area as a career move.
• a person who wants to gain the relevant specialised knowledge in the areas of accounting, finance and financial markets to pursue a career in that field.
• a person wanting to complete a degree which appears on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) list of recognised qualifications for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Successful completion of this qualification should enable the student to:

1. Demonstrate awareness of the management and leadership competences necessary to operate in the local or international business environment.
2. Demonstrate awareness of the essential components of an effective operations strategy in a business environment.
3. Demonstrate awareness of essential economic theory and its managerial and business implications.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

MAJOR: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: 385 CREDITS

In the table below, the "Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3" columns correspond with the complexity of the coursework and progression of the academic levels. These labels align with international BCom standards. The columns do not represent the time it takes for a student to complete the qualification at Milpark. Students have a minimum of four (4) years, and a maximum of nine (9) years, to complete the qualification. This allows for flexibility on the learning journey, at a pace that enables students the best possible opportunity for successful outcomes.

* Please note that Introduction to Business Studies (INDBS1-5) and Business Numeracy (BNUM01-5) are only offered via Distance Learning Online (DLO) and should be completed in the first semester of study.

** NOTE: specialist modules relating to your chosen major may be on offer via distance learning only.

The admission criteria for the Bachelor in Commerce degree are as follows:

Candidates who matriculated in 2007 or earlier require:

1. A Senior Certificate with matriculation endorsement/exemption for degree studies. Candidates who have a Senior Certificate but who do not meet the matriculation endorsement/exemption requirements stated above, may apply to Universities South Africa (USAF), for mature age exemption (https://mb.usaf.ac.za/). and
2. A symbol of E or higher for Mathematics on HG, or a symbol of D or higher for Mathematics on SG. Candidates who do not meet the Mathematics requirement may be offered admission on condition that they successfully complete the BCom bridging programme, if they have achieved at least a symbol of E on HG or a C on SG in any two of the following subjects:

• Economics
• Business Economics
• Accounting
• Physical Science or Physics/Chemistry
• Natural Science or Biology.

Candidates who matriculated in 2008 or later require:

1. A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 50% in four NSC 20-credit subjects, including English as the language of instruction at Milpark Education, as certified by Umalusi. (Life Orientation is not a 20-creditbearing
   subject.) Candidates who have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) but who do not meet the matriculation endorsement/exemption requirements stated above, may apply to Universities South Africa (USAF), for mature age exemption (https://mb.usaf.ac.za/)
   and
2. A minimum mark of 50% for Mathematics or 70% for Mathematics Literacy. Candidates who do not meet the Mathematics requirement but who have achieved a minimum mark of 50% or higher in any two of the following subjects may be offered admission on condition that they successfully complete the bridging programme:

• Economics
• Business Economics
• Accounting
• Physical Science or Physics/Chemistry
• Natural Science or Biology.

Candidates who have completed a relevant Higher Certificate (NQF 5) or Diploma (NQF 6) in the field of business or commerce, may also be admitted to the BCom degree.

Other / International certificates

Further to the requirements for admission provided above, foreign nationals or South African nationals, seeking to apply for admission onto the qualification based on a non-South African/foreign senior school leaving certificate, must obtain and submit to Milpark, a Certificate of Exemption from Universities South Africa (USAf) (www.usaf.ac.za).

Applicants with foreign senior school leaving certificates, who have already completed the equivalent of a South African Grade 12, are advised to submit their USAf Certificate of Exemption at the time of applying online for the Milpark bachelor’s degree.

Any foreign national or South African national, seeking admission based on a non-South African/foreign tertiary qualification must obtain and submit to Milpark a Certificate of Exemption from Universities South Africa (USAf) (www.usaf.ac.za) at the time of applying for admission onto the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications

Milpark admits a small number of students onto its programme via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants interested in applying via RPL will be considered individually by the relevant Head of School.

Downloads

Information Pack

BCom Streams

BCom Overview

Undergraduate Prospectus

Fees and Funding