What To Know Before Studying a BCom

A Bachelor of Commerce Degree offers you a programme of study that is finance and business related. You have the option to choose what you want to major in.

Here are some of the questions that you may need to be answered before you study for a Bachelor of Commerce Degree:

 

  • What do you need to study for a BCom?
  • Which discipline can I study in BCom
  • Why should I study a BCom?
  • Which BCom has the highest salary?
  • How long does it take to study BCom?
  • Can a BCom student do MBA?
  • What can I do after BCom?
  • What is my alternative to BCom?
  • Where can I study ICB Courses?

What Do You Need To Study A BCom?

To study for a BCom Degree, you will need a Matric Bachelor’s Degree Pass. Remember that a BCom Degree focuses on business and financial related programmes of study. A BCom Degree requires a minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 26. Each BCom degree will require a different APS depending on the field. 

For example, a BCom Law Degree at Wits University requires an APS of 39. All applicants with an APS of 35-38 will be put on a waiting list and only considered after all other applications that have met the requirements.

Which Discipline Can I Study In BCom?

The disciplines in BCom vary from one University to the other. Here are the BCom disciplines that are offered by some Universities:

Why Should I Study A BCom?

Here is why you should consider studying for a BCom Degree:

  • Gain skills
  • Wide career choice
  • Scarce skills
  • Work anywhere in the world
  • Work in any industry
  • Above average salary

Gain Skills

As you are studying for your BCom Degree, you will gain skills along the way. With the skills that you will gain, you can become an effective Manager. Here are some of the skills that you can gain when you study for a BCom Degree:

  • Communication skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Numeracy skills
  • Computer skills

Wide Career Choice

When you study for a BCom Degree, you have a choice of which disciple you want to study. You will however have to meet the specific entry requirements to study for that discipline. Most of the disciplines of the BCom Degree can give you a wide variety of career choices. 

For example, with a BCom in Business Management, the following can be your career choices:

  • Branch Manager
  • Business Manager
  • Business Advisor
  • Sales Manager
  • Sales Executive
  • General Manager  

Scarce Skills

Most disciplines that you can study in BCom are scarce skills courses. Scarce skills courses are courses that are in demand on the job market. This means that after you graduate, you will not spend a long time without securing employment. 

Work Anywhere In The World

A BCom Degree does not confine you to work in South Africa only. With a BCom Degree, you can work anywhere in the world. This means that you will have the chance to explore the world while you are working at the same time.

Work In Any Industry

Any discipline in the BCom programme does not confine you to a single industry. You can work in any industry here in South Africa or anywhere in the world. If you can work in any industry, this also means that your chances of securing employment after you graduate are wider.   

Above Average Salary

Salaries in the disciplines that you can study under the BCom programme are above average. What also contributes to the salaries being above average is the courses are scarce skills courses. Scarce skills courses are in demand. The law of supply and demand states that when something is in demand, the value increases. 

Which BCom Has The Highest Salary?

The BCom in Accounting has the highest salary. Here are other BCom jobs that have high salaries:

How Long Does It Take To Study BCom?

The Bachelor of Commerce Degree can take three years to complete. You can however take longer if you fail some of your modules and need to retake them. It can also take longer if you are not studying full time.

Can A BCom Student Study For A MBA?

Yes, BCom students can study for an MBA on meeting the entry requirements of the programme.

What Can I Do After BCom?

After completing your Bachelor of Commerce Degree, here are the other options that you have:

    • Study further – Here is what you can study progressively:
      • Postgraduate Diploma
      • Honours Qualification
      • Master’s Degree
      • Doctorate 
  • Look for employment opportunities – After completing your BCom Degree, you can look for employment opportunities within your discipline of study

 

What Is My Alternative To BCom?

If you do not qualify to study for a BCom degree, or you were unable to finish your Matric year, there are alternative courses that you can take that are similar to that of a BCom Degree.

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers courses in Financial and Business Management that are similar to those in a BCom programme. ICB offers the following courses:

Within each programme there are (3) three to (4) four courses. Each course builds on the next course, which means that you must complete one course to start with the next.

How ICB Courses Work

ICB Business Management Programme

The ICB Business Management Programme equips students with the knowledge of business and financial management best practices. Here are the courses that you will study in the Programme:

Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate

This is the introductory course in the ICB Business Management Programme. To qualify to study for this Course, here are the entry requirements:

Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate

This is the intermediate course of the ICB Business Management Programme. To qualify for this Course, here are the entry requirements:  

Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

This is the final Course in the ICB Business Management Programme. To qualify for this Course, here are the entry requirements: 

ICB Financial Accounting Programme

The ICB Financial Accounting Programme equips students with the skills and knowledge of Bookkeeping and Accounting. Here are the courses that you will study in the Programme:

Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate

The ICB Bookkeeping National Certificate is the first qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. To qualify for this course, here are the entry requirements: 

  • Grade 10 or Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate 
  • Be able to read, write and understand English 
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate

The Bookkeeping: ICB FET (Further Education Training) Certificate, is the second qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme.  To qualify for this Course, here are the entry requirements: 

Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

ICB Technical Financial Accounting National Diploma is the third qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. To qualify for this course, here are the entry requirements: 

  • Be able to read, write and understand English 
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

The Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma is the final Qualification in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. To qualify for this course, here are the entry requirements: 

ICB Office Administration Programme

The ICB Office Administration Programme equips students with the skills and knowledge of Bookkeeping and Office Administration. Here are the courses that you will study in the Programme:

Office Administration: ICB National Certificate

The Office Administration: ICB National Certificate is the foundation level of the three-course  ICB Office Administration Programme. To qualify for this Course, here are the entry requirements: 

Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate

The Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate is the intermediate level of the ICB Office Administration Programme. To qualify for this Course, here are the entry requirements: 

Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

The Office Administration: ICB National Diploma is the final course of the ICB Office Administration Programme. To qualify for this course, here are the entry requirements: 

Where Can I Study ICB Courses

You can study ICB Courses at Matric College.  Your first step will be to register with Matric College before you register with the ICB. Here is how you can register with the ICB:

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 17 , 2022