Varsity College IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

Introduction to IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
Click here to download a detailed fact sheet about this programme.
Varsity College IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, The IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics degree provides graduates with a critical understanding of the relationship between the disciplines of business management and economics in the business world. Consequently, graduates will be able to contribute to basic enquiry which informs strategic thinking and business management practices against a background and knowledge base of the South African business and economic environment. The purpose of this programme is threefold: to promote access to higher education, to qualify students for careers in the business/economics field and to provide a platform for further business management or economics studies.

What is this Degree’s accreditation status?

The IIE’s Bachelor of Commerce in Economics degree is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a 361-credit qualification on level 7 (SAQA ID: 93854).

Who is the Bachelor’s degree aimed at?

The IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics degree is aimed at students who are keen to study a broad-based commerce degree along with the opportunity to specialise in business management and economic practices.
This degree will appeal to you if the world of business and economics holds your interest.

To be registered as a candidate you must have satisfied the admission requirements as set out below:

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Degree admission- with a minimum of 50% for Mathematics or a minimum of 80% for Mathematical Literacy. For those students who have Mathematics at level 3 (40-49%) or Mathematical Literacy at levels 4-6 (50- 79%), an intermediate level (38 or above) in the NBT QL-AQL assessment is required. Students who have Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at levels lower than the above would not be considered; OR
A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) with Degree admission – A minimum of 60 % in English on either First Additional Language or Home Language level AND Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy AND Life Orientation , with a minimum of 70% in the four vocational subjects is required; OR
A Senior Certificate (SC) (with endorsement/complete/conditional exemption) or equivalent with a minimum of 40% for Mathematics HG; OR at least 50% for Mathematics SG. For those not meeting the requirements as set out above, a minimum of an intermediate (38 or above) level in the NBT QL- AQL assessment is required; OR
Alternatively a Higher Certificate, an Advanced Certificate or 240 or 360 credit Diploma in a cognate field may satisfy the minimum admission requirements to degree studies.

Varsity College IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, If a Higher Certificate, Advanced Certificate or 240 or 360 credit Diploma is not in a cognate field, then at least 20 % of the credits of such qualification must relate to academic literacy or academic skills in order for an applicant to be admitted to degree studies. Such applications will be reviewed by the relevant HoF at The IIE CAT in collaboration with the Registrar.

If you are an international student, you must ensure that:

you have an equivalent qualification to the aforementioned;
your equivalent qualification is evaluated by Universities South Africa for certificate of exemption to degree admission;
you have a valid study permit issued in the name of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) that covers the duration of your studies.

If you have not met these minimum entry requirements but have a NSC with higher certificate or diploma entry into higher education, you may wish to consider registering for The IIE Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice (HCBPP) first as a pathway to this degree.

Other considerations
Mature Age Exemption:

Candidates having attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with a senior certificate or equivalent with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade subjects, at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and one of which shall be a recognised higher grade subject; OR
Candidates must have attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Candidates can demonstrate suitability for admission in terms of Senate’s resolution 6.6 of 20 October 2005 which allows for Senate’s discretionary conditional admission (if applicable).

Additional admission requirements:

With regards to a NSC – students are required to have Mathematics at least at level 4 or Mathematical Literacy at level 7. For those students who have Mathematics at level 3 or Mathematical Literacy at levels 4, 5 or 6, an intermediate level (38% or above) in the NBT QL assessment is required. Students who have Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at levels lower than the above would not be considered.
OR, With regards to a SC – endorsement is required with at least 40% for Mathematics on the HG; OR at least 50% for Mathematics on the SG;
OR, a Senior Certificate or equivalent with complete or conditional exemption with at least 40% for Mathematics on the HG OR at least 50% for Mathematics on the SG. For those not meeting the requirements as set out above, a minimum of an intermediate level in the NBT AQL assessment is required.
Please note, requirements for entry to this qualification are correct at the time of printing, however, these may change. At the time of registration, please check that the entry requirements have not changed.

National Benchmarking Tests

All applicants wishing to study an IIE undergraduate degree on a full-time basis including international students, are required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL).
The applicant is exempt from writing the NBT AQL test if he/she:

is 23 years old or turns 23 during the first year of registration.
has successfully completed a higher certificate (or equivalent), an advanced certificate or diploma.
has previously been admitted to degree studies elsewhere (proof must be supplied).
is admitted on the basis of mature age.

For applicants wishing to enrol on a distance programme, the writing of the NBT AQL test is recommended but not compulsory.
Please note an applicant’s Academic Literacy (AL) score of the NBT AQL test is used for placement in student support programmes and does not replace the admission requirements for a specific degree programme. Applicants may, on provision of an AL score of the NBT AQL test of 64 or above, be exempted from one or both Academic Literacy modules, namely Introduction to Scholarship A (ITSA010) and Introduction to Scholarship B (ITSB010), if and only if these are non- credit bearing modules in the qualification. Applicants who achieve an AL score of the NBT AQL test lower than 64 are required to register for and successfully complete ITSA010 and ITSB010.
Applicants who do not write the NBT AQL test prior to registration, will automatically be registered for ITSA010 and ITSB010 whether or not they are credit bearing modules in the qualification.
Furthermore, students who are completing ITSA010 and ITSB010 as a result of the lower than 64 AL score or who did not provide an AL score, will be required to successfully complete these modules before their third year as they are a pre-requisite for entrance onto third year studies. Students enrolled on a distance programme will have access to ITSA010 and ITSB010, but it would not be a pre-requisite for registering for any third year modules.
Where ITSA (ITSA5111) is credit bearing in the qualification concerned, successful completion of this module (depending on the curriculum structure) is also a graduation requirement.

What must I pass in order to graduate with this Bachelor’s degree?

In order to be awarded this qualification, you must have achieved a minimum final year mark of fifty percent (50%) for each module of the programme; and have met all the Work Integrated Learning requirements, where applicable.

With what qualification will I graduate?

You will graduate with The IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics degree.

Career opportunities: what career areas can I pursue once I have completed The IIE Bachelor’s degree?

This degree will open up an attractive range of career options; this degree is an ideal stepping stone to a diverse and exciting range of business related career opportunities that include:

General management
Banking and Insurance
Business management
Business consulting
Economic consulting
Financial consulting
Corporate advising
Business strategy planning

Would it be possible to study further to obtain a postgraduate qualification once I have completed The IIE BCom (Economics) degree?

The IIE BCom in Economics degree is accredited by the South African Council on Higher Education and registered on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at level 7 – the same level as other equivalent undergraduate degrees at South African universities. The opportunity to apply for a postgraduate certificate/diploma or honours degree at any South African university exists subject to specific programme entrance requirements.

How do I find out more about these further study opportunities?

As a registered student at Varsity College, we will support you to explore the possible postgraduate options that align to your chosen career area. Each year we also provide our students with a postgraduate information pack. It is important to remember that your academic results remain a key factor when applying for further studies.

How is this Bachelor’s degree structured at Varsity College?

The IIE BCom in Economics degree is a three year degree. The academic year runs from February to November. The modules are delivered on a full-time basis with lectures and tutorials being scheduled during the day from Monday to Friday.
In addition to attending lectures, you will be expected to spend time conducting your own study plan as well as research and work on assignments. Learning material is of the highest quality and offers students a blended learning experience where the face-to-face teaching sessions are supplemented with specific online learning activities, digital content/study material, relevant current textbooks and assessments.
Varsity College IIE Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, To gain the most from the blended learning experience and VC’s Wireless classrooms and campuses, students are required to BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) mobile device – netbook, laptop or tablet – to develop the necessary academic and digital literacies over the three years of this degree.
The curriculum below is correct at the time of print. Please note that in line with academic practice, The IIE’s curriculum is annually reviewed thus changes may occur in module structure and sequence in order to ensure that the qualification remains relevant. The exit level outcomes of the programme do not change. Registered students receive updated programme curriculum on an annual basis.
Documents detailing specific module outcomes are available from the campus should you require these details.
Please click here to view the IIE’s terms and conditions
Click here to download a detailed fact sheet about this programme.
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