Choosing a degree programme and university to apply to
can be an overwhelming decision,
especially if you’re unsure of what you would like to do after graduation.
If you’re worried that this decision will be a career-defining one,
you can relax.
The truth is that your career development is an ongoing process
which may lead you down several paths throughout your working life.
Although certain university qualifications may appear directly connected
to specific industries,
quite often, a single degree can open up a range of possibilities.
Each student has their own strengths and weaknesses,
which will influence what the best degree option is for them.
So, why should you choose to study Commerce at UCT?
The degree programmes offered in UCT’s Faculty of Commerce
are designed for career flexibility.
UCT offers relevant, and highly regarded qualifications
that combine solid academic theory and research,
with innovative teaching methods
Students also have access to a wide range of extracurricular activities
and student development services.
You can apply to Commerce even if you don’t have Accounting or Economics
as school subjects.
Mathematics, however, is a must - Mathematical Literacy won’t be sufficient.
There are two undergraduate Commerce degrees to choose from;
the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), done over a minimum of 3 years,
and the Bachelor of Business Science degree (BBusSc),
taken over a minimum of four years.
If you are accepted into Commerce, you can register for either programme.
Both degrees have a common 10 core courses.
You can choose to specialise in a range of disciplines
depending on your degree choice.
Options include Accounting, Economics, Finance, Information Systems,
Management Studies, Marketing, Organisational Psychology, Computer Science,
Actuarial Science, Law, Analytics and Quantitative Finance.
The BCom in Management Studies is the most flexible degree offered,
as it enables you to include disciplines that are not in Commerce,
like Spanish, Maths and Environmental Sciences.
Because we want you to make an informed choice about your future,
you won’t have to select a specific degree programme when applying,
except if you want to study Actuarial Science.
Actuarial Science has different entrance requirements to all other degrees
in the Faculty.
Additionally, because of the common core courses, you can move between degrees,
specialisations, and even faculties in the early stages of your studies
once you find out where your strengths and interests lie.
The Commerce Education Development Unit (EDU)
houses the academic development degrees.
These degrees have been designed to enable South African students
with a disadvantage factor greater than 1 to complete their undergraduate studies
over a standard or an extended period.
The degrees and specialisations in the EDU
are the same as the mainstream programmes,
and you receive the same degree at graduation.
The EDU provides support and self-development throughout the degree.
This includes smaller classes in the first year, support tutorials, peer mentoring,
presentation skills, and leadership, funding and work opportunities.
The EDU provides spaces to enhance social consciousness
and engaged citizenship,
and a variety of ways to assert your voice, confidence and identity,
creating a sense of community.
What all of this means is that when you submit your application,
you must choose one of four options;
‘Actuarial Science’ as a mainstream or academic development programme,
or the ‘Bachelor of Commerce’, or ‘Bachelor of Business Science’ degree
as a mainstream or academic development programme.
Now that you know what you can study in Commerce,
let’s talk about what you’ll need to be made an offer.
Your application will be assessed on:
Your Faculty Points Score (FPS),
which is calculated by adding the percentages
of the top six subjects in your final exams,
excluding Life Orientation.
We consider your final Mathematics and English results,
your Grade 11 and 12 final results,
and your performance in the AQL National Benchmark Test (NBT).
You have a maximum of two attempts to complete your NBT.
You should do this as early as possible as this may lead to an early provisional offer.
If you would like to know more about undergraduate specialisations,
watch the “Disciplines in Commerce video”.
If you are keen to learn more about the Commerce degree programmes
or would like more information about the application process, EDU
or calculating your FPS, browse through the ‘Your Guide to Undergraduate Studies’
in Commerce booklet,
the Faculty of Commerce Undergraduate Studies Handbook, or contact us directly.
We look forward to hearing from you.