I want to do a B.Com, but do I really need Mathematics and where can I study it?

A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree gives you a wide range of managerial skills and knowledge as well as a specialization in a particular field.

The first year is often similar from university to university and covers general business principles and numerical measurement. The course focuses both on academic subjects, such as statistics or economics, as well as practical business subjects, such as accountancy, law, management and marketing.

Most of the universities require Mathematics with a minimum of 50-59%, some require a higher mark and it is best to aim for that. A few will accept a Maths Literacy mark of 60-69%. Some universities (not all) require Accounting with a mark of 60-69%

If your marks are not quite up to the required standard you can apply for an extended or lengthened course at certain Universities. 

Where to do Bridging Courses? Here is a link to a list of Universities and the extended options they offer.

SPECIALISING IN SPECIFIC AREAS

From the second year, depending on the University, one can specialize in areas like 

• Accounting Science*

• Auditing*

• Banking*

• Business Management

• Economics*

• Entrepreneurship

• Financial Management*

• Human Resources

• Industrial and Organisational Psychology

• Law

• Logistics

• Marketing

• Quantitative Management*

• Retail Management

• Risk Management*

• Statistics*

• Sport Management*

• Strategic Supply Management*

• Transport Economics*

• Tourism, Administration

• Business Informatics*

NOTE: * The options with the star require higher entry levels.

BACKGROUND

• The goal of business is PROFIT from engaging in COMMERCE (offering products and services) so NUMERACY (especially Accounting) is always a basic part of any Business Management course. So it is important that if you do not enjoy maths, then a Bachelor of Commerce is probably not a good choice.

• Management skills are needed in all kinds of organizations: including in government and non-profit organizations where the goals are not profit but service delivery outcomes. Many employment opportunities exist there too.

• A good thing about a Bachelor of Commerce degree is that it is recognised throughout the world. A good overview of a BCom’s international value is found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Commerce

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TERTIARY TRAINING

Please note: Educational institutions may change or add to their requirements and it is a good idea to check the admission information on websites regularly.

School subjects and other admission requirements:

National Senior Certificate with entry level: Degree

Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.

Certain universities conduct interviews as part of their selection process. 

Required

• Core Mathematics from 50-59% (some universities will accept a Maths mark of 30-39% and some will accept a Maths Literacy mark of 60-69%.) 

•Some universities require Accounting with a mark of 60-69%

Recommended  

Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Information Technology, Civil Technology.

APS Scores ranges from 27 to 41, depending on the University.

National Benchmark Test

Most universities also require you to do National Benchmark tests which have 3 purposes:

• To assess entry-level academic literacy and mathematics skills. 

• To assess the relationship between entry-level skills and school-level exit results. 

• To provide additional information to institutions requiring this for admission and placement of entry-level students.There are 3 tests: (The test you do depends on the faculty you applying to)• Academics Test, 

• Quantitative Literacy Test and 

• Mathematics Test.Extended /Academic development programmes:Some universities with a high entry requirement will allow you to enter with less marks. Your degree will take longer (4-5 years) to complete. Enquire at the university of your choice.

WHERE TO STUDY: DEGREES

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom): Various specialisations

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

http://www.wits.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL

http://www.ukzn.ac.za

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

http://www.nmmu.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE

http://www.ufs.ac.za/

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

http://www.uct.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

http://www.up.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND

http://www.wits.ac.za

RHODES UNIVERSITY

http://www.ru.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

http://www.uwc.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE

http://www.ufh.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO

http://www.ul.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

http://www.sun.ac.za

NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY

http://www.nwu.ac.za

UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND

http://www.uz.ac.za

DISTANCE: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

http://www.unisa.ac.za

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

CTI EDUCATION GROUP (PTY) LTD

http://www.cti.co.za

DAMELIN (PTY) LTD

http://www.damelin.co.za

DA VINCI INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (PTY) LTD

http://www.davinci.ac.za

DURBANVILLE COLLEGE

http://www.durbanvillecollege.ac.za

PRESTIGE ACADEMY

http://www.prestigeacademy.co.za

MANAGEMENT COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

http://www.mancosa.co.za

OVAL INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER EDUCATION (PTY) LTD

http://www.oval.co.za

PC TRAINING AND BUSINESS COLLEGE (PTY) LTD

http://www.gopctraining.co.za

REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL

http://www.regent.ac.za/

ST. AUGUSTINE COLLEGE OF SOUTH AFRICA

http://www.staugustine.ac.za

STENDEN SOUTH AFRICA

http://www.stenden.ac.za