In an environment that is constantly changing there is a continuous need for new knowledge. As a prospective student, you may ponder on which path of study to choose that will enhance your career and employability. MANCOSAs fully-accredited, revolutionary and technologically-driven BCOM Degrees arms students with the skills and expertise to thrive in commerce and industry. MANCOSA focuses on teaching and learning for impact. This article will give you an insight into BCOM degrees and assist you in making an informed choice.
What is a BCOM degree?
A bachelor of commerce degree is an undergraduate qualification that empowers students with commercial skills and knowledge to enter commerce and industry. Core curriculum subjects include areas, like economics, finance, business management and accounting practices. There are however different specialisations of BCOM’s, designed to equip students with a variety of skills. A specialised BCOM will allow you to train specifically for a certain branch within the field of commerce and industry.
These are some of following specialisations of Bachelor of Commerce degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
- Bachelor of Commerce in International Business
- Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing
The relevance and importance of commerce
We are all involved in transactions that take place daily. Whether you are a consumer or an entrepreneur you are part of commerce and industry. Commerce is basically the exchange of goods and services for money. Goods, services and money contribute to the well-being of the economy. Manufacturing sectors contribute to the national income and earn foreign exchange by means of exports.
The following areas of commerce are particularly relevant:
- Commerce helps in acquiring the right goods at the right time, at the right place and at the right price
- It assists in increasing our standard of living
- It tries to satisfy human wants
- Commerce creates contact between producers and consumers
- It generates employment opportunities
- It contributes positively to national income and wealth
- Commerce encourages the expansion of trade
- It creates relationships between developed and underdeveloped countries
Which BCOM is the best option?
At MANCOSA we recognise that people are diverse, and therefore students are afforded the opportunity to choose a BCOM degree to study that suits their aptitudes and preferences. Some students may have a flair for figures and are comfortable with statistical modules like accounting and financial management. A Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting or Financial Management may be the best option for the above. Others may be creatively minded and have aspirations of starting their own business. The BCOM in Entrepreneurship may be a preferred choice for these individuals.
5 Types of Bachelor of Commerce Degrees
MANCOSA offers students a choice of BCOM degrees that equips them with invaluable skills to succeed in the business world.
BCOM Tourism and Hospitality Management
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the 2018 contribution to the tourism sector in South Africa, directly accounted for 2.8% of real gross domestic product, which amounts to R139 billion and this was projected to grow to R145.3 billion by 2019. People from all over the world travel to various countries for either recreation or business. These individuals or groups require transport, accommodation, meals, tour guides, booking agents, etc. Thus, skilled and knowledgeable staff are required to be hired in the tourism sector. Tourism will be a great career choice for people who like to travel and explore the beautiful landscape that the world offers as well as interact and learn from people of diverse cultures and languages.
BCOM Entrepreneurship
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of South Africans embracing a culture of entrepreneurship. “We must look at what needs to be done to promote and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and an entrepreneurial culture. I have long said that entrepreneurial skills should be included in the basic education curriculum.”
An entrepreneur is a person who starts a new business, takes a risk with the aim of reaping the rewards in terms of profits. With the dire shortage of jobs in southern Africa, there is a need for young entrepreneurs to create jobs not only for themselves but for their communities. In many instances, small ventures have become successful and have expanded into national and multinational organisations. On the other hand, some ventures fail due to a lack of skilled entrepreneurs. A qualification in entrepreneurship empowers an individual with the knowledge and skills to start a business with confidence.
Go for it! You could be the next Elon Musk or Patrice Motsepe.
BCOM HR Management
Basically, every business has people and effective human resource management is required to achieve the goals of the organisation. Individuals need to be trained and developed to fit the company culture and adhere to their policies and procedures.
The key aspects that an HR manager performs are:
- Recruitment and selection
- Training of staff
- Performance review
- Compensation and benefits
- Succession planning
- HR data analysis
BCOM Marketing
A business can have fantastic products and services but if nobody knows about them the business won’t make money. Marketing refers to activities a company undertakes to promote their products and services. Marketing employs strategies and tactics of advertising and various marketing communication techniques to effectively reach the prospective consumer. Marketing is an exciting field of study and work and encompasses work in areas, like digital marketing, product marketing, eCommerce and brand management.
Some of the career opportunities in marketing include:
- Marketing Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Search Engine Optimisation Specialist
- Email Marketing Manager
- Product Manager
- Marketing Analyst
- Advertising Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Brand Manager
- Media Buyer
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Digital Marketing Manager
- eCommerce Manager
BCOM Retail Management
Most economically active individuals are employed in the retail sector. Retail is often the first employment avenue for most students and many have made it a successful career. Retailing basically involves preparing, storing, packaging and distributing the product or service for sale from a store to the final consumer. Retail managers are required to use their skills and experience to oversee this process. People that are required to work in the retail sector should possess lots of energy, drive and be good communicators. Retail management offers the following career opportunities:
- Sales manager
- Buyer
- Inventories manager
Customers will always require products and services, therefore retail outlets will always be in demand to offer the most efficient and best quality offering to the end-user.
Study a BCOM at MANCOSA
MANCOSA is a fully-accredited and leading higher education institution in Africa, which is part of the exclusive Honoris United Universities group. MANCOSA has surpassed the blended learning approach. Students can attain their BCOM degree qualifications while they continue working a full-time job or even from a remote location that is off-campus with MANCOSAs educational, interactive online teaching and learning platforms. With live webinar sessions, ask the tutor-student support an updated Moodle platform and even online assessments enrol with MANCOSA. MANCOSA cares about its students and has implemented effective teaching and learning, assessment as well as virtual graduation platforms to complete the academic year in normal time and keep its students safe from Covid-19.
Author: Calvin Paltooram, Academic Lecturer at MANCOSA