Higher Certificate in Business Studies
(Minimum one year, maximum 3 years, 124 credits)
Aim
The Higher Certificate Business Studies aims to introduce students to the building blocks of business and the new world of work.
Time Commitment
One year full-time.
Two years of part-time
January and July intakes
Mode of Delivery:
Offered in Distance Mode Only (as per CHE concession)
Course Cost
From R 24 950 for the full qualification. Please enquire for T&Cs
Accreditation
The Higher Certificate (Business Studies), NQF Level 5, is accredited with the Council on Higher Education (CHE), reference no. PR096/9026/HEQSF and is registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) with qualification ID 7339.
Admission requirements
A National Senior Certificate or National Certificate Vocational (with certificate pass), a Matriculation Certificate or equivalent. Mature age of 45 years can be admitted, determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio of evidence provided. The National Benchmark Test (NBT) results.
Course Modules:
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Academic Reading and Writing
Information Technology and Skills
Business Management
Financial Accounting Fundamentals
Human Capital Management
Business Communication
Economics
Marketing
Business Analytics Fundamentals
Entreprenuership
Ethics and Global Citizenship
Bachelor of Commerce
(Minimum 3 years, 360 credits)
Aim
This qualification equips students to be ethically effective in business and the new world of work with specific skills in human capital management, marketing, operations management, and economics.
Time commitment
Two intakes: January and July
Full or part-time
Minimum 3 years, maximum 6 years.
Mode of Delivery:
Offered in Distance Mode Only
Course Cost
R73 160 per year. With special early bird discount of 20% = R58 528 per year.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Commerce, NQF Level 7, is accredited with the Council on Higher Education (CHE) reference no. H/PR096/E016CAN and is registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) with qualification ID 99752.
Admission requirements
National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor's pass or equivalent, a Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent, a Higher Certificate or an Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field. National Benchmark Test (NBT) results. The prior qualification must include a minimum of 50% in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.
Course Modules:
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(First Year)
Academic Reading and Writing
Information Technology Skills
Financial Accounting
Business Management
Human Capital Management
Business Communication
Core: Ethics and Global Citizenship
Economics
Marketing
Business Analytics
Entrepreneurship
Intermediate Level
(Second Year)
Financial Accounting
Ethical Self Leadership
Customer Experience
Managing Constant Change
Microeconomics
Industry 4.0 in Manufacturing
Strategic Management and Innovation in the New World of Work
Project Management
Digital Marketing and Sales
Strategic Branding and Integrated Communications
Talent, Diversity and Development
Macroeconomics
Aligning Supply Chains
Advanced Level
(Third Year)
Market Research and Analytics
Employment Relations
Teamwork in a Digital Era
International Economics and World Trade
Strategic Value Chain Management
Marketing Work-integrated Project
Human Capital Work-integrated Project
Economics Work-integrated Project
Operations Work-integrated Project
Responsible, Customer Centric Organisations
Strategic Human Capital Management
Development Economics
Lean, Sustainable Continuous Improvement
Membership & Accreditations
THE BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Global cutting-edge best practices in business
Excellent student and stakeholder support
Ethical integrity for all
Our focus is on students and employees who have yet to have the opportunity of post-school education. For those without the necessary level of Maths, we offer an entry-level Higher Certificate in Business Studies, which scaffolds into our BCom, where we offer a choice of majors in Operations, Human Capital Management, Marketing, and Economics.
We recognize that the world of work is changing fundamentally and that many of the old ways of doing things are no longer relevant. We aim to ensure that we equip our students with relevant knowledge and practical skills to prepare them to build their careers in these new times.
Our modules are underpinned by 21st-century skills imperative to the changing world of work. These modules are informed by research with employers in the private and public sectors and introduce our students to topics such as artificial intelligence, strategy deployment, business process automation, agile design, human capital, and customer experience.
Our teaching and learning are based on well-tested theoretical models combined with new pedagogical research, and we offer a flexible set of schedules to accommodate those currently working and those who are not. Our senior lecturing staff have multiple years of experience in the business world, so they are keenly aware of the requirements to develop a successful career in business.
Nowadays, to fully understand business, it is imperative to understand what is happening in South Africa and on our continent and appreciate developments across the globe. We are committed to ensuring our students leave Cornerstone with this perspective and these insights. Thereby, whatever setting they end themselves in, they will be empowered to change their own world and the worlds of others around them.
THE BUSINESS STUDIES TEAM
frequently asked questions
Career Paths
The Bachelor of Commerce degree opens up a variety of career opportunities based on your chosen area of interest. Here are some potential career paths:
Operations:
- Operations Analyst
- Supply Chain Coordinator
- Production Planner
- Logistics Coordinator
- Inventory Analyst
- Process Improvement Analyst
- Operations Assistant Buyer
Marketing:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Brand Assistant
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Social Media Coordinator
- Market Research Analyst
- Content Marketing Specialist
- Public Relations Assistant
Economics:
- Economic Research Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Investment Analyst
- Market Research Analyst
Human Resources (HR):
- HR Coordinator
- Recruitment Assistant
- Talent Acquisition Specialist
- HR Assistant
- Payroll Coordinator
- Training and Development Coordinator
General Information
To apply you may visit our website here, select your preferred course and click on apply now. Our entire application and registration process is online.
Applications for July 2024 will close on 30 June 2024.
- Certified ID/Passport
- Certified Grade 12 certificate or NQF equivalent.
Course Details
Financial Information
The cost of the Higher Certificate in Business Studies is R315 per credit and for the BCom is R565 per credit to enable you to choose modules at a pace that fits your budget.
You are able to structure your payment in line with the modules which you select.
Student Support
Yes, we have Modules dedicated to providing you with this guidance in year one - your lecturers are also available to be of assistance with your assessments.
If you are struggling academically, you can reach out to our Faculty Administrator Zezethu Mgweba (zezethum@cornerstone.ac.za) who will help to direct you here. For student wellness support, you can contact Student Services student development and support.
Online Study
The digital library, EBSCOHost, which offers a vast expanse of scholarly resources is freely available to students. This premier online research platform provides academic journals, magazines, newspapers, e-books, and much more.
Certain prescribed ebooks are available by ordering from online bookstores. In addition, hard copy physical resources can be found in our on-campus library.
It is helpful to set time aside at the start of a semester to ensure your set up for online teaching and learning is properly in place and also to spend some time on our FUNDA LMS.
Lectures and Interaction
Live online lectures take place from on weekdays from 4pm to 8pm. Lectures are recorded and can be accessed on our FUNDA learning management system at a later time, if students are unable to attend the live lecture.
Technical Support
For any technical issues we have our Technology team available on helpdesk@cornerstone.ac.za/.
Our Academic Administrator zezethum@cornerstone.ac.za is also available to assist if you experience any problems on our FUNDA learning management system.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ARTICLES
Application Enquiries
NEWS / EVENTS
Cornerstone Institute Business Studies Graduation
You're Invited! SAPICS Women’s Celebration Event at Cornerstone – 24 October
