Business Management
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BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area International Business

Where does this programme fit in?

The 4-year BCom (Management Sciences) with the focal area International Business is offered by the Department of Business Management at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. The programme includes an exchange semester at the end of the third year of study (you enrol at a partner university abroad); BCom, Law and Social Sciences modules, and​ a foreign language (Chinese, German or French) in the second year.

Why the need for this programme?

The degree addresses a need to produce graduates that are equipped to be role players in the international knowledge economy. This degree therefore prepares you to thrive in the world of international business, thanks to courses in the fields of economics, marketing, finance, management, information technology, trade law, political science, intercultural communication and a foreign language.

What will you learn?

The modules in this degree cover the areas of expertise expected from those who wish to pursue a career at a multinational firm. The modules therefore include Business Management, Economics, Financial Accounting, Information Systems, Statistics and Data Science, and the Theory of Interest.

Electives such as Industrial Psychology, Philosophy, Professional Communication for EMS, and Sociology will add depth to your learning journey.

Year 1 (120 credits

Compulsory modules

Business Management113(12), 142(6)
Economics114(12), 144(12)
Financial Accounting188(24)
Information Systems112(6)
Statistics and Data Science188(18)
Theory of Interest152(6)

Elective modules (120 credits, from the list below)

Industrial Psychology144(12)
Philosophy114(12), 144(12
Professional Communication for EMS144(16)
Sociology114(12), 144(12)

Year 2 (144 credits)

Compulsory modules

Economics214(16), 244(16)
Political Science114(12), 144(12)2

At least one of the following language subjects (24 credits)

Chinese178 (24) or
French178 (24) [188(24) if you passed French at Grade 12 level]
GermanGerman 178 (24) [188(24) if you passed German at Grade 12 level]

At least one of the following subjects (all modules)

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management214(16), 244(16) or
Financial Management214(16), 244(16)** or
Marketing Management214(16) §, 244(16) §

At least 32 credits from the following

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management214(16) ƒ, 244(16) ƒ
Financial Management214(16), 244(16) **
Investment Management254(16) **
Marketing Management214(16) §, 244(16) §
Sociology212(8), 222(8), 242(8), 252(8)

Ƒ If you choose Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 214 and 244, you cannot choose Sociology 212, 222, 242 and 52, due to timetable restrictions.

** Financial Management 244(16) cannot be taken with the elective module Investment Management 254(16) due to timetable restrictions.

§ If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in the third or fourth year.

Year 3 (at least 132 credits)

Compulsory modules

Exchange Semester342(60) [Only if you are registered for the BCom (International Business) degree at Stellenbosch University]
Introduction to Intercultural Communication312(12)
Legal Aspects of International Transactions312(12)
Management of Corporate Social Responsibility312(12)
Political Science222(8)

One of the following modules that you did not take in Year 2

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management214(16) § or
Financial Management214(16) or
Marketing Management214(16) §

Or at least 24 credits from the following Year 4 elective modules, provided that you have the necessary prerequisite module credits for enrolment:

Economics318(24)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management318(24)
Financial Management314(12) ƒ, 332(12) ƒ
Investment Management314(12), 324(12)
Marketing Management314(12) §, 324(12) §

Elective modules (at least 12 credits from the following)

Industrial Psychology224(16) §
Political Science212(8)
Social Anthropology324(12) ƒ

§ If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in the third or fourth year.

Ƒ If you choose Financial Management 314 and 332, you cannot choose Social Anthropology 324 due to timetable restrictions.

Year 4 (120 credits)

Compulsory modules

Strategic Management344(12)

Plus one of the following subjects (all modules) to continue on your focal area from Year 2 and Year 3

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management318(24), 348(24) or
Financial Management314(12)***, 332(12)***, 352(12), 354(12) or
Investment Management314(12) 324(12), 344(12), 348(12), 354(12) or
Marketing Management §314(12) ƒ, 324(12) ƒ, 344(12), 354(12)

Elective modules (from the list below to make up at least 120 credits along with the modules above)

Economics318(24), 348(24)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management318(24), 348(24)
Financial Management314(12)***, 332(12)***, 352(12), 354(12)
Investment Management314(12), 324(12), 344(12), 348(12), 354(12)
Marketing Management §314(12) ƒ, 324(12) ƒ, 344(12), 354(12)
Industrial Psychology224(16) §
Political Science242(8), 324(12) ƒ
Social Anthropology324(12)***

§ If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in the third or fourth year.

Ƒ If you choose Marketing Management 314 and 324, you cannot choose Political Science 324 due to timetable restrictions.

*** If you choose Financial Management 314 and 332, you cannot choose Social Anthropology 324 due to timetable restrictions.

More about the programme

  • Number of places available: 80
  • Language of tuition: English
  • Place of delivery: All contact sessions (unless where indicated otherwise) will take place during the day at the main campus of Stellenbosch University.

Admission requirements

  • Those interested in a career as consultant or manager in multinational companies or international development organisations
  • Mathematics 70%
  • English Home Language 70% or English First Additional Language 80%
  • Any additional language 70%

More details

  • Programme brochure: The brochure contains a table with all the modules covered by this degree. Download the department’s brochure here.
  • Programme information: See the Department of Business Management’s undergraduate programmes here.
  • See the Calendar of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at https://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/economy/students.
  • Closing date for applications: 30 June 2022
  • Contact person for enquiries about this programme: Morné Daniels on +27 (0)21 808 2392 or at mmd@sun.ac.za
  • Where to apply: https://student.sun.ac.za/signup/