Welcome to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law.

The Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL) is transforming into one of the most vibrant and dynamic faculties at the University of Zululand.

The Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL) is transforming into one of the most vibrant and dynamic faculties at the University of Zululand.

ABOUT THE FACULTY

The University is restructured for relevance and advocates a career-focussed education, with emphasis on meeting the needs of its rural environment, as well as its commitment to commerce and industry.

The Faculty comprises of the Office of the Dean, a Faculty Office and five academic departments:

  • Department of Accounting and Auditing (including Information Technology);
  • Department of Business Management (incorporating Human Resources Management);
  • Department of Economics (incorporating BCom 4-Year extended degree);
  • Department of Public Administration; and
  • Department of Law, incorporating the Centre for Legal Services.

In addition to core academic programmes and qualifications, the departments also undertake research and provide certificated courses and training in a variety of related activities relevant to commerce, industry, government, civil society and the non-governmental sector. The Faculty also offers Certificates, Advanced Certificates, Diplomas, National Diplomas at the Richards Bay Campus. The Faculty also participates avidly in community outreach and development programmes.

Vision and MISSION OF THE FACULTY

VISION

To be a Faculty of choice and relevance for commerce, administration, law and the local community, in ensuring a supportive and caring ethos that contributes meaningfully to the quality of life of all who live in the region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and the African continent, within the global context.

MISSION

To continue providing relevant qualifications, training and development, serving the needs of commerce, industry, public sector, civil society and the non-governmental sectors through partnerships, and by ensuring sustainable development through knowledge production, management and research in these, and related, fields.

VALUES OF THE FACULTY

Innovation

Promoting attributes of excellence, creativity and  discovery among students and staff.

Team Work

 Working together to accomplish a common goal.

Efficiency

 Sustaining high levels of productivity.

Accountability

 Subscribing to integrity and transparency.

Mutual Trust

Inculcating dependable and trustworthy relationships and mutual respect.

Innovation

Promoting attributes of excellence, creativity and  discovery among students and staff.

Team Work

 Working together to accomplish a common goal.

Efficiency

 Sustaining high levels of productivity.

Accountability

 Subscribing to integrity and transparency.

Mutual Trust

Inculcating dependable and trustworthy relationships and mutual respect.

FCAL SPECIFIC RULES

The Rules contained in this Handbook, and the relevant General Academic Rules of the University, are applicable to a student registered in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law. Unless otherwise stated, any exceptions to these rules require Senate’s approval.

  • Application
  • Requirements
  • Admission
  • General rules

All applications are done online. All applications must quote a Central Admissions Office (CAO) reference.

Registration is considered provisional until all registration requirements are met to the satisfaction of the Offices of the Registrar and the Dean.

Plagiarism” means the act of representing the ideas, writings, works or inventions of others as the fruits of one’s own original intellectual endeavours without adequately acknowledging the author or source. If a student or researcher’s work is not authentically his/her own, such work does not qualify as an academic output, whether this is a student assignment or employee research, and will be viewed as plagiarism, which is defined as the appropriation of another's work, whether intentionally or unintentionally, without proper acknowledgement. Unethical research practices undermine the purpose of education by casting doubt on the institution’s ability to promote sound and efficient scholarship, will not be tolerated and actions will be taken according to the “Plagiarism Policy” of the University.

The language of instruction in all undergraduate and postgraduate contact sessions is English. All study guides, tests and examination papers are made available to students in English. Students answer any written or oral test or examination in English.

General Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programmes.

Admission requirements and compliance with the legal endorsement for undergraduate qualifications for study at the the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law are as follows:

(a)  A NSC diploma endorsement is a legal requirement for admission into an undergraduate diploma.

(b)  A NSC bachelor’s degree endorsement is a legal requirement for admission into an undergraduate bachelor’s degree.

(d)  An applicant who has successfully completed a Higher Certificate at an accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) may be admitted into an appropriate Advanced Certificate.

(e)  An applicant who has successfully completed a Higher Certificate at an accredited HEI and has accumulated relevant credits may be admitted to a related undergraduate diploma programme, subject to the candidate being granted a NSC diploma endorsement by Universities South Africa (USAf) after the successful completion of the Higher Certificate.

(f)   An applicant who has successfully completed an undergraduate diploma, may be admitted into an undergraduate bachelor’s degree programme, subject to the candidate being granted a NSC bachelor’s degree endorsement by USAf.

(g)  Other progression requirements, as reflected in the Higher Education Qualifications Sub Framework (HEQSF), are applicable.

(h)  Applicants who have completed their National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC) must comply with the minimum Admission Points Score (APS). All applicants must comply with the language requirements, mathematical or mathematical literacy, stated by the FCAL and approved by Senate and Council, per qualification or module requirements for admission into each programme.

(i)  A national certificate:  A Completed Diploma N5 or N6 with two additional languages – Home Language (HL) and First Additional Language (FAL); OR any two official languages (English is recommended) at level 4 (SG level C or HG level D) and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy according to the levels prescribed by the different qualifications, are the requirements.

FCAL Specific Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programmes.

Meeting the Faculty’s minimum requirements for a particular programme does not necessarily guarantee admission to that programme. Specific selection criteria may be applied within the required Enrolment Plan, as the University has a specific number of places available as approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training for new undergraduate first year students.

The admission requirement for the different qualifications is indicated below.

Qualification Title

Years

APS score

English

Mathematics/ Mathematical Literacy

Qualifications offered at Richards Bay campus

Higher Certificate (Accountancy)

1

22

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Higher Certificate (Marketing)

1

22

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Diploma (Logistics Management)

3

24

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Diploma (Management of Co-operatives)

3

24

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Diploma (Transport Management)

3

24

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Note:

There are very strict quotas for the certificate and diploma qualifications and no changes after registration are possible. Additional selection criteria (personal interviews/placement tests) may be conducted as required by the Department.

Qualifications offered at KwaDlangezwa Campus

Qualification Title

Years

APS  score

English

Mathematics/ Mathematical Literacy

Bachelor of Commerce 4-Year Extended Programme

4

26

Level 3 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Bachelor of Commerce

3

28

Level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 6

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

3

28

Level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Maths level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Science)

4

32

Level 5 or SG level B or HG level C

Maths level 5 or SG level B or HG level C

Bachelor of Commerce (Management Information Systems)

3

28

Level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Maths level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Bachelor of Administration

3

28

Level 4 or SG level D or HG level E

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Bachelor of Laws

4

30

Level 4 or SG level C or HG level D

Maths level 3 or SG level D or HG level E or Math Lit level 4

Note:

There are very strict quotas for the qualifications and no changes after registration are possible. Additional selection criteria (personal interviews/placement tests) may be conducted as required.

 

The faculty rules valid for the different qualifications, programmes and curricula of this faculty and contained in this faculty calendar are subject to the General Rules of the University, as determined from time to time by the Council of the University on recommendation by the Senate.  The faculty rules should therefore be read in conjunction with the General Rules.

Prospective students must note that all correspondence and enquiries are to be addressed to the Registrar, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, Kwa-Dlangezwa, 3886 or email admissions@UNIZULU.ac.za

 International Students

An international student must have his or her qualifications verified by the Higher Education South Africa (HESA) for undergraduates and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for postgraduates who have foreign undergraduate qualifications. The Office for International Students should be contacted for additional information.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credits from Other Institutions

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may be considered subject to the policies of the University and acceptance by the University Senate or the designated University authority. In this regard guidance will be available from the Office of the Registrar.

 Credits may be granted to candidates who have completed modules at this University or other approved Higher Education institutions, provided such application has been approved by Faculty Board and Senate. Application must be made in the prescribed manner through the Office of the Dean. A candidate who applies for recognition of credits and who has been credited may be granted exemption from these modules in the relevant curriculum to a maximum of 50 percent of the total credits required for the qualification. Exemptions shall not be granted in respect of exit level modules, and modules credited must carry the same NQF level and credit values as the UNIZULU modules. For candidates coming from outside South Africa, verification of foreign qualifications by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is mandatory.

Mature Age Exemption

With the approval of the Registrar, a candidate who qualifies on the basis of Mature Age Exemption may be considered for acceptance. Application must be made on the prescribed forms, prior to the registration date.

Progression Rules

  • A full-time student must register for all prescribed modules for a particular qualification in a particular semester.
  • A student may only register one additional module, in addition to those prescribed for a particular qualification in a particular semester, with the approval of the Dean of the faculty and in line with Rule G6 of the University Calendar.

(c) A candidate will be required to complete all the modules prescribed for each year of study for the degree in order that he/she may proceed to modules prescribed for the following year (subject to the rules concerning transfer of other degree modules from this or other approved Universities) provided that:

  1. A candidate who fails more than 50 percent of the number of modules prescribed for that particular level per year will be required to repeat and pass those failed modules in the subsequent year, before he/she progresses to the next level.
  2. The above rule must be read in conjunction with the General Calendar rules of the University.

(d) Interruption of studies: Interruption of studies should be applied for according to Rule G16 and be approved by Faculty Board and Senate. Students retain credit for exemption and/or renewal of registration purposes for a module passed for a period not exceeding five years, provided that there are no material changes to the curriculum content in this period and provided further that there has been no change in the statutory body regulation the relevant qualification.

Exclusion Rules

A student, who fails to obtain the minimum credits at the end of each semester, as detailed below, shall be excluded from the Faculty and University as per Rule G21A:

In the case of a three-year degree programme:

  • Three years, a minimum of 180 credits.
  • Four years, a minimum of 300 credits.
  • Five years, if a degree has not been obtained.

In the case of a four-year degree programme:

  • Three years, a minimum of 240 credits.
  • Four years, a minimum of 384 credits.
  • Five years, a minimum of 420 credits.
  • Six years, if a degree has not been obtained.

An excluded student may apply to the Dean for re-admission. This may be granted under special circumstances, and the student will have to satisfy certain specified conditions. An excluded student is not permitted to register for any module in the Faculty, unless required by a programme (in another Faculty) in which the student is registered.

Re-Admission Rules

A student shall not be permitted to renew registration if he or she:

(a) has failed any module required for the degree more than once, and/or

(b) has not completed the equivalent of:

  1. four semester modules qualifying for the degree by the end of the first year of study.
  2. ten semester modules qualifying for the degree by the end of the second year of study.

           iii. eighteen semester modules qualifying for the degree by the end of the third year of study, and/or

(c) has failed the equivalent of seven or more semester modules during the period of registration for the degree, and/or

(d) has failed to complete the equivalent of at least four semester modules qualifying for the degree, in the year of registration, unless a student is in their final academic year of study and requires fewer than four semester modules to qualify for the degree.

Withdrawal from Registered Modules

A student will normally be required to register for the full curriculum of the year of the degree for which he/she is registered. A student will not, except with the permission of the Dean, be permitted to withdraw from a module which is a requirement of the year for which he/she is registered nor will he/she be permitted to withdraw from a module which he/she is repeating.

Assessments

  • Assessment will be conducted on a continuous basis.
  • A final mark is based on both continuous assessment and a final examination. To pass, a candidate must obtain a final mark of at least 50% per module
  • At least 50% of the assessment should be based on written assignments, tests, practicals, project reports, etc., which can be moderated.
  • Checking of marks or re-assessment can be done on written request by the student after payment of fees as required by the Senate.
  • Methods of assessment that may be used in a module:
  • Formative and Summative assessments
  • Practical assessments
  • Assignments
  • Work-place assessments
  • Simulation (application of theory to practice)
  • Self-assessments
  • Peer assessments
  • Portfolios
  • Open-book assessments
  • Oral assessments
  • Online (Moodle) assessments
  • Quick reviews of knowledge gained during learning sessions

The relevant Department may choose amongst these methods of assessment. Assessment criteria can differ from module to module. The final mark of a student should be based on a minimum of three assessments.

Final Examinations

The University conducts final examinations at the end of each semester. These examinations are normally written, but may include oral and/or practical components.

Duly Performed (DP) Requirements

As stipulated in the University Calendar or stipulated by Senate.

Pass Mark

To pass a module, a final mark of 50% is required. This assessment is based on the final examination mark and the DP. The assessment for each module is indicated in the relevant programmes.

Other Examinations

For re-examinations, supplementary, special re-examinations, and aegrotat exams, see the General Academic Rules of the University, as contained in the University Calendar.

 Attainment and Conferment of Degree.

A three or four- year qualification must be completed in a maximum time of five or six years respectively. A student who has satisfied all the requirements of the programme, including the co-requisite requirements, is deemed to have completed the degree, which will be conferred in the graduation ceremony in the following year.

  • To obtain the diploma or degree with merit, a candidate shall obtain a final mark of at least 65%.
  • To obtain the diploma or degree with distinction a candidate shall obtain an average mark of at least 75%.
  • All prescribed modules comprising a qualification will be taken into consideration in determining the pass level.

Viability of Modules

A minimum number of 10 students must enroll at first year undergraduate level for a module to be considered viable. The Faculty may choose not to offer a module if the minimum number is not enrolled.