Overview
The shortage of effective management and business skills in South Africa is a significant contributor to the high failure rate of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This Diploma in Commerce in Business Management is designed to address this challenge by equipping aspiring business managers and entrepreneurs with essential management competencies to support sustainable economic growth.
The programme focuses on financial, economic, and business management principles while incorporating key business-related modules to ensure a balanced and well-rounded understanding of the modern corporate environment. Graduates are prepared to operate effectively within diverse organisational and entrepreneurial contexts.
Skills You Will Develop
The Diploma in Commerce in Business Management equips students with core business knowledge and practical management skills required to operate efficiently in a business environment. As an ISDC graduate, you will develop skills in:
- Business and financial management
- Project and risk management
- Human resource and industrial relations
- Marketing principles and business communication
- Economic analysis and decision-making
- Ethical leadership and organisational effectiveness
These competencies enable graduates to make meaningful contributions that support the sustainable growth and success of organisations.
Campus Locations
Northam, Germiston
Delivery Mode
Contact (Campus-based learning)
Minimum Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- NSC: Diploma pass with a minimum of 30% in English
- NC(V): Diploma pass with 40%
- Senior Certificate (SC):
- Minimum 33.3%
- Endorsement not required
- SC (Amended): Diploma pass
- Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT):
- Minimum 30% in NSC or SC(a), or
- Minimum 33.3% in SC
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
- A SAQA Evaluation Certificate confirming NSC Level 4 equivalence
- Minimum 40% or equivalent in English
- Alternatively, a cognate Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate may satisfy the minimum admission requirements for diploma studies.
If the qualification is not cognate, at least 20% of credits must be related to academic literacy or numeracy. - Senate Discretionary Admissions
- Mature Age Category 5 (23 years and older):
- Must be 23 years or older during the first year of registration
- Must have attempted a Senior Certificate or equivalent
- Minimum of three years’ work experience
- Demonstrated competence and adequate communication skills related to the programme
- Mature Age Category 6 (45 years and older):
- Must be 45 years or older during the first year of registration
- No formal school-leaving qualification required
Duration
This is a three-year qualification offered through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
Career Options
Graduates may pursue careers in roles such as:
- Office Administrator
- Office Manager
- Administrative Personnel
- Business Manager
- Trainee Business Manager
- Entrepreneur
Modules
Year 1
- Accounting 1A
- Digital and Academic Literacies
- Business Management 1A
- Introduction to Quantitative Thinking and Techniques
- Business Management 1B
- Human Resource Management
- Accounting 1B
- Introduction to Marketing Theory and Practice
Year 2
- Economics A (Microeconomics)
- Financial Management 2A
- Project Management
- Business Management 2A
- Economics B (Macroeconomics)
- Business Management 2B
- Work Integrated Learning 2
- Financial Management 2B
Year 3
- Financial Management 3A
- Business Management 3A
- Industrial Relations
- Risk Management
- Work Integrated Learning 3
- Commercial Law
- Financial Management 3B
- Business Management 3B