18 knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in an increasingly competitive workplace. ADMISSION CRITERIA An undergraduate degree or equivalent in any area. Suitable work experience in a business setting and working as a project manager or business manager is an important consideration for selection. A student wishing to apply for the diploma with qualifications other than an undergraduate degree will need to satisfy the Senate that his/her qualification and/or experience are an adequate preparation for the work prescribed in the course. Students who are applying on the basis of work experience (Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL]) will also need to complete a separate RPL process; suitable candidates applying on the basis of RPL will be informed of the additional application requirements on receipt of their application. Advanced Diploma in Accounting This is an intensive programme which has been specifically designed to provide high calibre graduates from disciplines other than Financial Reporting accelerated entry into the Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting. ADMISSION CRITERIA Acceptance is at the discretion of Senate or the Head of the College of Accounting, who will consult with a Selection Committee. Additional testing, information and/or an interview may be required in order to gain acceptance. An applicant who has achieved at least 65% in the final year of a Bachelor s degree at this University or another university recognised for this purpose and who has not previously registered for a SAICA accredited programme, will be considered for admission. The applicant is required to demonstrate an appropriate level of numerical ability. An applicant may be accepted to the programme in cases where he/she falls short of the 65% mark, provided the applicant has demonstrated an appropriate level of numerical ability (e.g. successful completion of Mathematics and/or Statistics courses equivalent to MAM1010 and/or STA1000). Applicants are required to submit a written motivation. THE FACULTY OFFERS TWO UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES: Bachelor of Business Science (BBusSc) Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Both degrees allow for a variety of specialisations to cater for both the interests of our students and the employment needs of our country. The first year curriculum is more or less common as all Commerce graduates need a solid academic foundation in core subject areas: Accounting, Information Systems, Economics, Business Law, Mathematics, Business Statistics or Mathematical Statistics. Both degrees are offered in the standard form or as academic development programmes tailored for students who may have experienced gaps or disparities in their educational or life experience. The BBusSc is a four-year qualification, and the BCom is a threeyear qualification. The certificate will stipulate whether you have graduated BCom or BBusSc and the area of specialisation. All BBuSc students also take courses in the functional areas of Finance, Marketing and People Management. In their final year, students take a course in Business Strategy that integrates all the courses covered in the previous years of study. This course also includes exposure to entrepreneurship, recognising that many students will ultimately run their own businesses. Education Development Unit (EDU Commerce) The Education Development Unit (EDU) is focused on enhancing the teaching and learning environment in the Commerce Faculty. Academic Development (AD) is situated in the EDU and is an equity programme. It has been designed to enable students to complete Commerce degrees over either a standard or extended period offering a range of additional interventions. The duration of the degree will be determined by Commerce Faculty admission requirements. The same exit standards certificate will be applied whatever the duration of the degree and the qualification (and thus the degree certificate) will be the same. If you are offered a BCom or BBusSc place you will be eligible to complete any of the specialisations (provided you meet the entrance requirements for the specialisation). DEGREE SPECIALISATIONS AT A GLANCE Bachelor of Business Science Specialisation: Actuarial Science Options: Actuarial Science Quantitative Finance Specialisation: Management Studies Options: Finance Finance with Accounting Computer Science Information Systems Economics Economics with Law Marketing Organisational Psychology Analytics Bachelor of Commerce Specialisation: Actuarial Science Options: Actuarial Science Quantitative Finance Specialisation: Financial Accounting Options: General Accounting 17