Yearbooks

Programme: BCom 4-year programme

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
07139923 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Department: Economic and Management Sciences Dean's Office
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 455 NQF level:  07

Programme information

The programme is aimed at the training of students in the Economic and Management Sciences who do not meet the prescribed admission requirements for a BCom degree.

This is the ideal starting point for students who are interested in studying towards BCom degrees in Management or Financial sciences. Students must apply during October of their first year to transfer to the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (Hatfield Campus). Placement in BCom (Accounting Sciences) and BCom (Investment Management) cannot be guaranteed as these are selection programmes where numbers are limited. All modules must be passed in the first year to transfer to any of the BCom programmes.

The first year is presented on the Mamelodi Campus.

Admission requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2024

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

4

3

26

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.

Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2024: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

Note:

  • Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
  • Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
  • Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above.

Additional requirements

General Academic Regulations G1 to G15 apply to a bachelor's degree.

  1. A student may not take more than the prescribed number of modules per semester unless permission has been obtained from the Dean.
  2. A module that has already been passed may only be repeated with the approval of the Dean.
  3. It remains the student's responsibility to ascertain, prior to registration, whether all the modules he/she intends taking can be accommodated in the class, test and examination timetables.
  4. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences supports an outcomes-based education system and places a high premium on the development of specific academic competences. Class attendance of all modules and for the full duration of all programmes is therefore compulsory for all students.
  5. The Dean has the right of authorisation regarding matters not provided for in the General Academic Regulations or the Faculty regulations.

Other programme-specific information

  • Students who wish to continue with a BCom (Economics) degree programme need to register for WTW 144 after completing WTW 135.
  • Students who wish to continue with BCom (Econometrics) degree programme need to have obtained a level 4 or higher in Grade 12 Mathematics and will need to register for WTW 135 and WTW 143.
  • Students who wish to continue with a BCom (Investment Management) degree programme need to register for WTW 135.
  • Students who want to do any other BCom degree programme register for BAM 133, STK 133 and STK 143 and must meet the minimum requirements set out in the EMS Transfer Guide as published on the EMS Website on an annual basis, to transfer to their BCom degree of choice. 
  • Only students who have obtained a level 4 in Grade 12 Mathematics can register for WST 133 and WST 143 and these modules are required for students wishing to continue with a BCom (Econometrics) degree programme. These modules are also available as electives for students who wish to transfer to the BCom (Economics) degree programme.

Selection from the second academic year onwards, to be discussed with the Student Administration of the Faculty and will follow the guidance in the EMS Transfer Guide. The following gives an overview of credits awarded for modules completed at the Mamelodi Campus when successful BCom Extended programme students transfer to BCom degree programmes on the Hatfield Campus:

  • AIM 111 and AIM 121 – as currently presented on the Hatfield Campus.
  • STK 133 and STK 143 – equivalent to STK 110.
  • STK 133 and STK 143 will give BCom students admission to STK 120 and its equivalent to STK 110.
  • WST 133 and WST 143 is equivalent to STK 110.
  • WST 133 and WST 143 will give BCom students admission to either WST 153 or STK 120.
  • Students must register for STK 121 in the first semester of the second year.
  • FRK 133 and FRK 143 – equivalent to FRK 111.
  • OBS 133 and OBS 143 – equivalent to OBS 114.
  • Students wishing to do a BCom degree focused on Accounting are strongly advised to enrol for FRK 111 in the first semester of their second year.

It is the responsibility of students to ensure before registration, that their curricula comply with all the requirements of the applicable regulations.

Promotion to next study year

According to General Academic Regulation, G3 students have to comply with certain requirements as set by the Faculty Board.

  1. In order to register for the next year of study a student must pass at least 66% of the official credits listed for a year level of study for a four-year programme. NB: Taking cognisance of the required 66%, it is expected of students who have registered for the first year of the BCom extended programme to pass, as a minimum, five modules of the following prescribed discipline specific modules:
  •  Financial Accounting (FRK 133 and FRK 143)
  • Business Management (OBS 133 and OBS 143)
  • Statistics (STK 133 and STK 143)
  1. Students who do not show progress during the first semester of the first year will be referred to the EMS Appeals Committee of the Faculty and may be excluded if they fail more than one of the above discipline specific modules. Also refer to Point 4 under Additional requirements.
  2. A student will be deemed to be in the second, third or a more senior year once he or she enrols for any module in any of these levels of study.
  3. If a student has passed fewer than the required minimum of at least 66% of the official credits listed for a year level, he/she will not be readmitted to the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Such a student may apply in writing to the EMS Faculty Appeals Committee to be readmitted conditionally – with the proviso that the Appeals Committee may set further conditions with regard to the student's academic progress. The Committee may deny a student's application for readmission.If a student has been readmitted conditionally, his/her academic progress will be monitored after the first semester examinations to determine whether he/she has complied with the requirements set by the Appeals Committee. If not, his/her studies will be suspended.
  4. A student whose studies have been suspended because of his/her poor academic performance has the right to appeal against the decision of the Appeals Committee.
  5. A student may be refused admission to the examination, or promotion to a subsequent year of study or promotion in a module (if applicable) if he/ she fails to fulfil the attendance requirements. Class attendance in all modules and for the full duration of all programmes is compulsory for all students.

Pass with distinction

a. A degree may be awarded with distinction provided the candidate meets the following criteria:

  1. Completes the degree within four years;
  2. Obtains a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 75%;
  3. Repeated passed modules will not be considered. The initial pass mark of module will be used when calculating the GPA.

b. An extended degree will only be awarded with distinction to students who complete their extended bachelor degrees within four years.
c. The GPA will be not be rounded up to a whole number.
d. Exceptional cases will be considered by the Dean.

General information

Application of amended programme regulations
Refer to General Academic Regulation G5.

Minimum credits: 88

The following gives an overview of the equivalent of modules completed at the Mamelodi Campus when transferring to the Hatfield Campus:

*AIM 111 and AIM 121 – as currently presented on the Hatfield Campus.
*STK 133 and STK 143 – equivalent to STK 110 and will give admission to STK 121
*FRK 133 and FRK 143 – equivalent to FRK 111 and will give admission to FRK 121
*OBS 133 and OBS 143 – equivalent to OBS 114 and will give admission to OBS 124


Students must select two of the following three modules (BDO 121 or BEM 120 or INF 112) OR alternatively PAD 112 and PAD 122.

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.

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  • Module content:

    Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.

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  • Module content:

    In this module students use different information and time management strategies, build academic vocabulary, revise basic grammar concepts and dictionary skills, examine learning styles, memory  and note-taking techniques, practise academic reading skills and explore basic research and referencing techniques, learn how to use discourse markers and construct definitions, and are introduced to paragraph writing. The work is set in the context of the students’ field of study.

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  • Module content:

    In this module students learn how to interpret and use visual literacy conventions. Students write more advance paragraphs, and also learn how to structure academic writing, how to refine their use of discourse markers and referencing techniques and how to structure their own academic arguments. Students’ writing is expected to be rational, clear and concise. As a final assignment all aspects of the LST 133 and LST 143 modules are combined in a research assignment. In this project, students work in writing teams to produce a chapter on a career and to present an oral presentation of aspects of the chapter. The work is set in the context of the students’ field of study.

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Core modules

  • Module content:

    The number system, decimals, fractions, exponentials and order of operations. Percentages, decimals as fractions and percentages. Equations and formulas, application of equations and formulas. Ratio and proportion. Functions, graphs, application of functions, interpreting graphs. Average rate of change, simple interest, compound interest and inflation. Present value and future value. Depreciation, annuities, sinking funds, investments, mortgages.
    This module is offered in English at the Mamelodi Campus only for the BCom – Extended programme.

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  • Module content:

    The nature and function of accounting; the development of accounting; financial position; financial performance; flow of documents;  the recording process; processing of accounting data; treatment of VAT; elementary statement of comprehensive income (income statement) and statement of financial position (balance sheet).

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  • Module content:

    Accounting systems; introduction to internal control and internal control measures; bank reconciliations; control accounts; adjustments; preparing the financial statements of a sole proprietorship; the accounting framework.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to Business Management as a science, the environment in which the enterprise operates, the field of business, the mission and goals of an enterprise, management and entrepreneurship. The choice of a form of enterprise, the choice of products and/or services, profit and cost planning for different sizes of operating units, the choice of location, the nature of production processes and the layout of the plant or operating unit.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to and overview of general management, especially regarding the five management tasks, strategic management, contemporary developments and management issues, financial management, marketing, public relations. (Note: For marketing students, marketing is replaced by financial management, and public relations by small business management.)
    Introduction to and overview of the value chain model, management of the input,
    management of the purchasing function, management of the transformation process with specific reference to production and operations management, human resources management, and information management; corporate governance and black economic empowerment (BEE).

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  • Module content:

    Data operations and transformations: Introductory concepts, the role of statistics, various types of data and the number system. Concepts underlying hyperbolic transformations of quantitative data. The relationship between the exponential and logarithmic functions in economic and related problems. Systems of equations in equilibrium. Additional concepts relating to data processing, factorial notation and absolute values.

    Descriptive statistics – Univariate: Sampling and the collection of data, frequency distributions and graphical representations. Descriptive measures of location and dispersion. Correlation and regression: Least squares line, single log, double log and inverse transformations. Report writing and presentation. Identification, use, evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques. 

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  • Module content:

    Optimization techniques with economic applications: system of linear inequalities, solving of linear programming problems by means of the graphical and extreme point methods. Applications of differentiation and integration in statistic and economic related problems: the limit of a function, continuity, rate of change, the derivative of a function, differentiation rules, higher order derivatives, optimization techniques, the area under a curve and applications of definite and indefinite integrals in Economic and Probability applications. Introduction to probability theory. Probability and inference: Theoretical distributions. Sampling distributions. Estimation theory and hypothesis testing of sampling averages and proportions (one-sample and two-sample cases). Report writing and presentation. Identification, use, evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques.

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  • Module content:

    Descriptive statistics – Univariate:
    The role of Statistics, various types of data. Sampling, probability and non-probability sampling techniques and the collection of data. Frequency, relative and cumulative distributions and graphical representations. Additional concepts relating to data processing: sigma notation, factorial notation. Descriptive measures of location,dispersion and symmetry. Exploratory data analysis.
    Probability:
    Introductory probability theory and applications. Set theory and probability laws. Introduction to random variables. Assigning probabilities, probability distributions, expected value and variance in general. Specific discrete probability distributions (Uniform, Binomial).  Report writing and presentation. Identification, use, evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques.

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Minimum credits: 130

Only enrol for this module if FRK 133 or 143 or OBS 133 or OBS 143 were failed as part of the allowed module failures at the Mamelodi Campus. *** STC 122 is a prerequisite to continue with STK at 200- and 300-level and will only be available to students who achieved at least 60% for STK 121.

Fundamental modules

  • Module content:

    In this module students are equipped with an understanding of the moral issues influencing human agency in economic and political contexts. In particular philosophy equips students with analytical reasoning skills necessary to understand and solve complex moral problems related to economic and political decision making. We demonstrate to students how the biggest questions concerning the socio-economic aspects of our lives can be broken down and illuminated through reasoned debate. Examples of themes which may be covered in the module include justice and the common good, a moral consideration of the nature and role of economic markets on society, issues concerning justice and equality, and dilemmas of loyalty. The works of philosophers covered may for instance include that of Aristotle, Locke, Bentham, Mill, Kant, Rawls, Friedman, Nozick, Bernstein, Dworkin, Sandel, Walzer, and MacIntyre.

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Core modules

  • Module content:

    Basic principles of law of contract. Law of sales, credit agreements, lease.

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  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics. A distinction between macroeconomics and microeconomics is made. A discussion of the market system and circular flow of goods, services and money is followed by a section dealing with microeconomic principles, including demand and supply analysis, consumer behaviour and utility maximisation, production and the costs thereof, and the different market models and firm behaviour. Labour market institutions and issues, wage determination, as well as income inequality and poverty are also addressed. A section of money, banking, interest rates and monetary policy concludes the course.

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  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics, especially macroeconomic measurement the private and public sectors of the South African economy receive attention, while basic macroeconomic relationships and the measurement of domestic output and national income are discussed. Aggregate demand and supply analysis stands core to this course which is also used to introduce students to the analysis of economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The microeconomics of government is addressed in a separate section, followed by a section on international economics, focusing on international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. The economics of developing countries and South Africa in the global economy conclude the course.

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  • Module content:

    The nature and function of accounting; the development of accounting; financial position; financial result; the recording process; processing of accounting data; treatment of VAT; elementary income statement and balance sheet; flow of documents; accounting systems; introduction to internal control and internal control measures; bank reconciliations; control accounts; adjustments; financial statements of a sole proprietorship; the accounting framework.

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  • Module content:

    Property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; inventories; liabilities; presentation of financial statements; enterprises without profit motive; partnerships; companies; close corporations; cash flow statements; analysis and interpretation of financial statements.

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  • Module content:

    Budgeting, payroll accounting, taxation – income tax and an introduction to other types of taxes, credit and the new Credit Act, insurance, accounting for inventories (focus on inventory and the accounting entries, not calculations), interpretation of financial statements.

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  • Module content:

    Computer processing of accounting information.

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  • Module content:

    The entrepreneurial mind-set; managers and managing; values, attitudes, emotions, and culture: the manager as a person; ethics and social responsibility; decision making; leadership and responsible leadership; effective groups and teams; managing organizational structure and culture inclusive of the different functions of a generic organisation and how they interact (marketing; finance; operations; human resources and general management); contextualising Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in each of the topics.

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  • Module content:

    Value chain management: functional strategies for competitive advantage; human resource management; managing diverse employees in a multicultural environment; motivation and performance; using advanced information technology to increase performance; production and operations management; financial management; corporate entrepreneurship.

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  • Module content:

    Inferential concepts. Experimental and observational data. Measures of association, uncertainty and goodness of fit. Sampling error and accuracy of estimation. Introduction to linear regression, reduction of variation due to regression. Conditional distributions of residuals.  Simulation based inference: conditional means and prediction intervals. Bivariate data visualisation. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.
    This module is also presented as a summer school for students who initially elected and passed STK 120 with a final mark of at least 60% and then decides to further their studies in statistics as well as for students who achieved a final mark of between 40% - 49% in STC 122 during semester 2.

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  • Module content:

    Students can only get credit for one of the following two modules: STK 120 or STK 121.
    Analysis of variance, categorical data analysis, distribution-free methods, curve fitting, regression and correlation, the analysis of time series and indices. Statistical and economic applications of quantitative techniques: Systems of linear equations: solving and application. Optimisation, linear functions, non-linear functions. Marginal and total functions. Stochastic and deterministic variables in statistical and economic context: producers' and consumers' surplus. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are illustrated using simulation within a data science framework.
    This is a terminating module. 

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Part 1: Introduction to industrial and organisational psychology
    This module is an introduction to the history, background and subfields of Psychology with specific emphasis on Industrial and Organisational Psychology. The various schools of thought in psychology and its fields of application are discussed within a meta-theoretical context. The basic principles of how psychological knowledge, research and other methods are used to understand and handle human problems in their environments is addressed. The module ends with the biological basis of behaviour which is addressed in order to lay the foundation for part 2 – individual processes.
    Part 2: Individual processes
    This module is concerned with the individual processes that provide input into the work situation. The purpose of this module is to increase one’s understanding of individuals and their contribution to society. Sensation and perception, which follows from the biological basis of behaviour, has a look at the senses of the individual and his perception in the work environment, considering aspects such as shape, depth, distance and colour perceptions. Learning and cognition is then discussed as behavioural processes that are integrated into work behaviour. We close off the module with a discussion on the continuous development of human beings across theirs lifespan within the different domains of life.

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  • Module content:

    This module provides an overview of the fundamentals of marketing by considering the exchange process, customer value, marketing research and the development of a marketing plan. It also addresses the marketing mix elements with specific focus on the seven service marketing elements namely the service product, physical evidence, people, process, distribution, pricing and integrated marketing communication.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to information systems, information systems in organisations, hardware: input, processing, output, software: systems and application software, organisation of data and information, telecommunications and networks, the Internet and Intranet. Transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, information systems in business and society, systems analysis, systems design, implementation, maintenance and revision.

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  • Module content:

    This module in public administration is designed specifically to assist students in understanding the role of public administration in a modern state, the unique characteristics of public administration, the schools and approaches in public administration and introducing the various generic administrative functions. The discipline of public administration has developed rapidly and by implication, has changed and shifted its paradigm over the years. The purpose of this module is to introduce public administration to the student as a field of study that makes a significant contribution to the effective administration and management of government institutions.

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  • Module content:

    This module in public administration will introduce the constitutional framework pertaining to public administration. The South African system of government, the functions, role and powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government as well as the functioning of the three spheres of government will be discussed. The module will enable the student to understand how and where public administration is practiced.

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Minimum credits: 117


*Students may not enrol for BAC 200 or BEL 200, unless they have already passed FRK 121 in an earlier year.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Labour law. Aspects of security law. Law of insolvency. Entrepreneurial law; company law, law concerning close corporations. Law of partnerships.

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  • Module content:

    *Module content will be adapted in accordance with the appropriate degree programme. Only one of KOB 281– 284 may be taken as a module where necessary for a programme.

    Applied business communication skills

    Acquiring basic business communication skills will enhance the capabilities of employees, managers and leaders in the business environment. An overview of applied skills on the intrapersonal, dyadic, interpersonal, group (team), organisational, public and mass communication contexts is provided. The practical part of the module (for example, the writing of business reports and presentation skills) concentrates on the performance dimensions of these skills as applied to particular professions.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    To use a conceptual understanding of intermediate foundational knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in order to prepare, present and interpret company and basic group company financial statements in a familiar business context and to propose clear solutions with adequate justification to solve financial problems in an ethical manner.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Organisational Behaviour I
    This section will provide an introduction to the foundations and principles of Organisational Behaviour (OB) as well as the challenges and opportunities for OB. In addition, specific attention will be paid to contemporary theories of motivation, job design, employee involvement and reward programmes. The various leadership theories will be covered. The effect of power and politics in the organisation will be studied, alongside conflict and negotiation skills.
    Part 2: Organisational behaviour II
    The behavioural basis for organisational structuring and organisation design will be addressed. Organisational culture as well as the approaches to organisational change will be covered. Sustainability from an organisational perspective will be discussed as well.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: Employee health and ergonomics
    This section focuses on actual and important aspects of safety and health management in organisations, as well as the nature and role of ergonomics therein. Specific health, safety and wellness issues such as stress and burnout, substance abuse, deceases, accidents and injuries as well as workplace bullying, violence, trauma and sexual harassment will be addressed. Furthermore employee wellness programmes will be discussed.
    Part 2: Personality
    This section discusses the various personality and social identity theories as they exist within the meta- theory of psychology. The unconscious processes of personality, the trait and social identity theories of personality are examined thoroughly. To close off this module we have a look at diverse social identities within the workplace in a social and cultural context.

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  • Module content:

    This module introduces students to taxation in the context of its history, its basic principles and its interdisciplinary nature as it relates to policy, legislation and governance. It also addresses the inherent demand for ethical and responsible conduct by all tax practitioners/professionals and taxpayers in pursuit of sustainable development in South Africa. The module is principles-based and will enable a student to interpret and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of taxation, specifically related to the Income Tax Act (No. 58 of 1962). In addition, the module will enable a student to interpret and apply specific sections in the Income Tax Act relating to donations and deceased estates.

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  • Module content:

    Internal and external influencing factors of consumer behaviour, the consumer's decision process and application fields of consumer behaviour, consumerisms and social responsibility, buying behaviour of consumers in both product and service related industries, consumer psychology and the influence thereof on buying behaviour, psychology of pricing, influencing factors in consumer buying behaviour, the impact of various forms of marketing communication on buying behaviour.

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  • Module content:

    Integrated brand communications approach, marketing communication planning, objectives and budgets for integrated marketing communications, principles and strategising of marketing communication elements, new media, the brand name communication process, marketing metrics and evaluation for marketing communication effectiveness.

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  • Module content:

    Macroeconomics
    From Wall and Bay Street to Diagonal Street: a thorough understanding of the mechanisms and theories explaining the workings of the economy is essential. Macroeconomic insight is provided on the real market, the money market, two market equilibrium, monetarism, growth theory, cyclical analysis, inflation, Keynesian general equilibrium analysis and fiscal and monetary policy issues.

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  • Module content:

    Microeconomics
    Microeconomic insight is provided into: consumer and producer theory, general microeconomic equilibrium, Pareto-optimality and optimality of the price mechanism, welfare economics, market forms and the production structure of South Africa. Statistic and econometric analysis of microeconomic issues.

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  • Module content:

    Macroeconomics
    Application of the principles learned in EKN 214 on the world we live in. We look at international markets and dynamic macroeconomic models, and familiarise the students with the current macroeconomic policy debates. We also take a look at the latest macroeconomic research in the world. The course includes topics of the mathematical and econometric analysis of macroeconomic issues.

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  • Module content:

    Microeconomics
    From general equilibrium and economic welfare to uncertainty and asymmetric information. In this module we apply the principles learned in EKN 224 on the world around us by looking at the microeconomic principles of labour and capital markets, as well as reasons why the free market system could fail. We touch on the government’s role in market failures. The course includes topics of the mathematical and econometric analysis of microeconomic issues.

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  • Module content:

    Role and environment of managerial finance. Financial statement analysis. Time value of money. Risk and return. Working capital management. Interest and valuations (bonds and shares).

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to management accounting. Cost terms, concepts and classifications. Job-order costing. Cost behaviour. Variable versus absorption costing. Cost-volume profit relationships. Budgeting. Activity based costing. Cash flow and financial planning. 

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  • Module content:

    Database design: the relational model, structured query language (SQL), entity relationship modelling, normalisation, database development life cycle; practical introduction to database design. Databases: advanced entity relationship modelling and normalisation, object-oriented databases, database development life cycle, advanced practical database design.

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  • Module content:

    An overview of systems infrastructure and integration.

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  • Module content:

    Database management: transaction management, concurrent processes, recovery, database administration: new developments: distributed databases, client-server databases: practical implementation of databases.

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  • Module content:

    Logistics management
    The role of logistics in an enterprise; definition and scope of customer service; electronic and other logistics information systems; inventory management; materials management with special reference to Japanese systems; management of the supply chain. Methods of transport and transport costs; types and costs of warehousing; electronic aids in materials handling; cost and price determination of purchases; organising for logistics management; methods for improving logistics performance.

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  • Module content:

    Project management and negotiations:
    Introduction Project management concepts; needs identification; the project, the project manager and the project team; types of project organisations; project communication and documentation. Planning and control: planning, scheduling and schedule control of projects; resource considerations and allocations; cost planning and performance evaluation.
    Negotiation and collective bargaining: The nature of negotiation; preparation for negotiation; negotiating for purposes of climate creation; persuasive communication; handling conflict and aggression; specialised negotiation and collective bargaining in the South African context.

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  • Module content:

    This module in public administration constitutes an in-depth analysis of the generic administrative functions, including, policy making, organising, financing, staffing and control. Students will thus be equipped with knowledge and skills related to government strategic planning, policy-making and decision-making, budgeting, public procurement, human resource management functions and employment legislation impacting on human resources within public organisations.

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  • Module content:

    This module in public administration introduces the student to the process of planning, executing and evaluating research in the public sector. Students will be enabled to identify, plan, execute and present a research project. This is a service learning module and as such students will be expected to complete approximately 15 hours service learning and submit a portfolio as part of their formal assessment.

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  • Module content:

    Statistical problem solving. Causality, experimental and observational data. Probability theory. Multivariate random variables. Discrete and continuous probability distributions. Stochastic representations. Measures of association. Expected values and conditional expectation. Simulation techniques. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

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  • Module content:

    Multivariate probability distributions. Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Frequentist and Bayesian inference. Statistical learning and decision theory. Simulation techniques enhancing statistical thinking. Supervised learning:  linear regression, estimation and inference. Non-parametric modelling. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical algorithms. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

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Minimum credits: 120

Curriculum information

  • Students must complete sufficient elective modules from the list provided to ensure that these add up to 120 credits bearing in mind prerequisites for third year modules.
  • To be considered "specialization modules" the equivalent of four 14-week modules at 300-level must be passed provided that such modules passed at 300-level will only be recognised for degree purposes if the corresponding prescribed modules at 200-level have also been passed;
  • a maximum of two 14-week semester modules may also be chosen from the following modules:
  • Labour law 311 (ABR 311);
  • Labour relations 320 (ABV 320);
  • International business management 359.

Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Basic principles of the employment contract. Collective labour law. Statutory conditions of employment. Individual labour disputes. Collective labour disputes. Settlement procedures.

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  • Module content:

    The theoretical basis of Labour Relations
    In this section the basic concepts, historical context and theoretical approaches to the field of labour relations will be discussed. The institutional framework in which labour relations operates, will be addressed with particular emphasis on the structural mechanisms and institutional processes. The service relationship that forms the basis of labour relations practices, will also be analysed.
    Labour Relations practice
    In this section students are taught the conceptual and practical skills related to practice aspects such as handling of grievances, disciplining, retrenchments, collective bargaining, industrial action and dispute resolution.

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  • Module content:

    BAC 300 includes both company and complex group company statements and the outcome of BAC 300 is:
    To use a conceptual understanding of comprehensive and integrated foundational knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), basic foundational knowledge of IFRS for small and medium-sized enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) and basic foundational knowledge of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP), in order to proficiently prepare, present and interpret company and complex group company financial statements in an unfamiliar business context and to propose appropriate solutions with compelling justification to solve financial problems in an ethical manner.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1: The Human Resource Management environment
    This section will provide the necessary know-how on the management of a Human Resource (HR) office. This particular section provides an introduction to Human Resource Management (HRM). The environment and foundations of HR will be covered. Various HR system standard and function models including the SA Board for People Practices HR standards model will be explained. The focus will move to emerging HR practices to ensure “competence” such as competency -based HRM. Day-to-day HRM practices are addressed such as HR office administration and technology (HR information systems). This is followed by specific HRM functions such as job design and analysis and the managing of compensation and benefits. Recruitment and section process to ensure the placing of qualified employees in jobs will be covered.

    Part 2: Human Resources Provision
    This section builds on the foundation provided in part 1. This module assists with having the right people in the right jobs at the right time through effective HR planning (HRP). This includes provision of theory which will assist HR managers to address strategy-linked HRP. To be able to ensure return on investment (ROI), organisations must ensure effective assessing and development of qualified employees by implementing performance management (PM) practices. This module will assist the HR professionals with theory related to internal staffing and career management practices. The section closes by discussing the role of HRM in virtual organisations as well as presenting international HRM theory that will assist the HR professional in the managing of international HRM.

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    Part 1: The theoretical environment of Human Resource Development
    This section focuses on the management of Human Resource Development (HRD) practices in organisations. The information will assist students to be able to understand the importance of education, training and development in South Africa and why education, training and development centres are important. Managing training and development will be addressed under the following headings: Managing training and development (T&D) in organisations, including contemporary issues in HRD. The focus moves to the education, training and development (ETD) environment in South Africa. The administration of T&D in organisations and the relevant learning theories and principles that will be applicable to adult learning in the workplace will be discussed. This section closes with a discussion on employee onboarding and orientation.
    Part 2: The practical environment of Human Resource Development
    This section will address learning related to determining training and development needs. Emphasis will be on aspects related to needs analysis, curriculum (programme) design and development, training interventions and presentation. The focus moves to learner assessment and programme evaluation.

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  • Module content:

    The purpose of the module is to enable the learner to calculate the value-added tax liability and to journalise transactions; calculate the normal tax liability (including the determination of taxable capital gains and assessed capital losses) of individuals, companies, estates and trusts,discuss tax principles on value-added tax and normal tax; and calculate and discuss provisional and employees' tax and to object against an assessment.

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  • Module content:

    The role of marketing research, the process of marketing research, interpretation of secondary research, qualitative research, survey research, observation, measurement and attitude scaling, questionnaire design, sampling design and sampling procedures, basic data analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of results, research report writing.

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    Strategic issues in marketing, strategic marketing, strategic analysis (market analysis, customer analysis, competitor analysis and internal analysis), market strategies (competitive strategies, strategies in the product life cycle and relationship building strategies) and strategy implementation and control.

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  • Module content:

    Public finance
    Role of government in the economy. Welfare economics and theory of optimality. Ways of correcting market failures. Government expenditure theories, models and programmes. Government revenue. Models on taxation, effects of taxation on the economy. Assessment of taxation from an optimality and efficiency point of view. South African perspective on public finance.

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  • Module content:

    Poverty and inequality are among the greatest contemporary challenges of economic development in the World. This course provides an overview of different economic explanations of underdevelopment and policy options to fostering household and individual welfare. We will investigate key development issues such as poverty, inequality, migration, the role of institutions (policy and governance), among others, as they are encountered by developing countries in general and South Africa in particular. During the course, we put special emphasis on the interplay between theory and data. 
     

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    Economic analyses
    Identification, collection and interpretation process of relevant economic data; the national accounts (i.e. income and production accounts, the national financial account, the balance of payments and input-output tables); economic growth; inflation; employment, unemployment, wages, productivity and income distribution; business cycles; financial indicators; fiscal indicators; social indicators; international comparisons; relationships between economic time series - regression analysis; long-term future studies and scenario analysis; overall assessment of the South African economy from 1994 onwards.

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    Economic policy and development: Capita select
    The course provides an introduction to growth economics and also to some topics on development economics. Firstly, historical evidence is covered and then the canonical Solow growth model and some of its empirical applications (human capital and convergence). Secondly, the new growth theory (the AK and the Romer models of endogenous growth) are covered. Some of the development topics to be covered include technology transfer, social infrastructure and natural resources.

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  • Module content:

    Strategy formulation: the deliberate strategy process of formulating a vision and mission statement, conducting internal and external environmental analyses and selecting appropriate strategies. It will enhance an understanding of the level of strategy formulation, gaining competitive advantage in your market place and thinking strategically.

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    Evaluates how to strategically align, plan for and direct investments in, and governance of, processes for continuous renewal of analytic deployments in business. An overview of analytics in the business context will be provided that will cover: concepts of strategic and operational analytics; overview of concepts like dimensional modeling, the Model Life cycle, data mining, big data, KPIs and metrics, ERP and analytics, in-database/memory analytics; real-time analytics and data stream analysis. The applied decision making aspect will focus on mastering quantitative modeling tools and techniques for business decision-making and deterministic optimisation techniques.

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  • Module content:

    This module in public administration is designed specifically to assist students to have a better understanding regarding the depth, origin and development of ethics in public service and administration. The emphasis here is on building responsive public servants whose duties and responsibilities do not only encourage the effective and efficient functioning of public organisations in an aim to facilitate better service delivery to all, but also apply ethical personal and organisational codes and standards in their daily operational activities. The purpose of this module is to enable the student to apply, synthesise and abstract theory into practice for a better public service of the future.

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  • Module content:

    This module on public administration is designed to broaden the view of students on the understanding of the origin and development of administrative systems. The emphasis is on the practical application of knowledge to problems of developing societies. Increasing global interdependence require scholarly interest in comparative public administration. A motivating force for comparative Public administration is the search for discovering regularities in administrative processes and behaviours throughout the human experience, irrespective of place and time.

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  • Module content:

    Supervised learning.  Linear and non-linear regression. Ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood estimation. Violations of the assumptions, residual analysis. Cross validation. Statistical inference. Bootstrap inference. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

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  • Module content:

    Stationary and non-stationary univariate time series. Properties of ARIMA processes. Identification, estimation and diagnostic testing of a time series models. Forecasting. Multivariate time series. Supervised learning: introduction to generalised linear models.  Modelling of binary response variables, logistic regression. Supporting mathematical concepts. Statistical concepts are demonstrated and interpreted through practical coding and simulation within a data science framework.

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General Academic Regulations and Student Rules
The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations. The G Regulations are updated annually and may be amended after the publication of this information.

Regulations, degree requirements and information
The faculty regulations, information on and requirements for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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