Program Overview

Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences

Qualification Code: 98237
NQF Level: 5
Total Credits: 120
SAQA ID: 90677
APS/AS: 15

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners who do not meet the minimum statutory or institutional admission requirements for access to Diploma and Degree studies in the Economic and Management Sciences. This qualification will introduce learners to elementary concepts and principles of Economics, Business Management, and Accountancy. Furthermore, it aims to enhance learners' basic proficiency in English, general computer skills, and basic numeracy skills, which are essential for studies in the Economic and Management Sciences. The qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Admission Requirements

• New Applicants: Applicants may register only if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Registrations may be processed or cancelled by Unisa if it is found that applicants were incorrectly admitted to a qualification.
• Re-registering Students: May register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens. New qualifications require an online application during the prescribed application period.

Modules

Each Unisa qualification requires the completion of a certain number of NQF level credits within a specified timeframe to graduate. The following outlines the module prerequisites and requirements:

• Co-requisites: If Module A is a co-requisite for Module B, both must be registered for simultaneously if Module A is not yet passed.
• Pre-requisites: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, Module A must be passed before registering for Module B.

Students may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits/modules per academic year or semester, which is:

• 60 credits per semester
• 120 credits per academic year

Curriculum

Those enrolled in the qualification will choose from the following compulsory modules:

• Group A. Compulsory
  • BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
  • BSM1501 - Business Management Fundamentals 1A
  • CLA1501 - Commercial Law IA
  • ECS1500 - Introduction to Economics
  • ENG1503 - Academic Language and Literacy in English
  • FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
  • FAC1502 - Financial Accounting Principles, Concepts and Procedures
  • INF1505 - Introduction to Business Information Systems
  • QMI1500 - Elementary Quantitative Methods (Co-requisite: BNU1501)
  • SUS1501 - Sustainability and Greed

Students are encouraged to consider their available time when choosing modules, as this will directly affect their academic performance. The estimated required study time is as follows:

• Semester Modules: Approximately 6 to 8 hours per week
• Year Modules: Approximately 4 to 6 hours per week

Transitional Arrangements

• ENG1512 has been replaced with CLA1501
• EUP1501 has been replaced with INF1505
• INM1501 has been replaced with FAC1502
• ENN103F is equivalent to ENG1503

Attention to these transitional arrangements is crucial for the retention of credits.