BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area International Business
Where does this programme fit in?
The 4-year BCom (International Business) programme is offered by the Department of Business Management in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. The programme includes an exchange semester at the end of the third or fourth year of study (you enrol at a partner university abroad); comprises modules offered by the three 万博体育官网 (Economic and Management Sciences, Law, and Arts and Social Sciences), 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, investments, and entrepreneurship, as well as international trade law, political science, intercultural communication and a foreign language. It is ideally suited for those interested in a career as management consultant, or as manager in a multinational company or international development organisation.
What will you learn?
The modules included in this degree cover the areas of expertise expected from those who wish to pursue a career at a multinational firm. These include first-year modules in Financial Accounting, Information Systems, Statistics and Data Science, Theory of Interest, and Political Science. Following the first year, students can proceed to specialise in Economics and the four main focal areas in Business Management (Financial-, Investment-, Marketing-, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management).
Electives such as Industrial Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Environmental Sociology, Strategic Management, and the Management of Corporate Social Responsibility will add depth to your learning journey.
Year 1 (120 credits
Compulsory modules
| Business Management | 113(12), 142(6) |
| Economics | 114(12), 144(12) |
| Financial Accounting | 188(24) |
| Information Systems | 112(6) |
| Statistics and Data Science | 188(18) |
| Theory of Interest | 152(6) |
Elective
Plus modules from the list below to make up at least 120 credits:
| Industrial Psychology | 144(12) |
| Philosophy | 114(12), 144(12 |
| Professional Communication for EMS | 144(6) |
| Sociology | 114(12), 144(12) |
Year 2 (144 credits)
Compulsory modules
| Economics | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Political Science | 114(12), 144(12) |
Plus at least one of the following language subjects of 24 credits:
| Chinese | 178 (24) or |
| French | 178 (24) [188(24) if you passed French at Grade 12 level] |
| German | German 178 (24) [188(24) if you passed German at Grade 12 level] |
Plus at least one of the following subjects (all modules):
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 214(16) ?, 244(16) ? |
| Financial Management | 214(16) §, 244(16) or |
| Marketing Management ? | 214(16) §, 244(16) § |
Plus at least 32 credits from the following:
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 214(16) ?, 244(16) ? |
| Financial Management | 214(16) §, 244(16) |
| Investment Management | 254(16) |
| Marketing Management | 214(16) §, 244(16) § |
| Sociology | 212(8) ?, 222(8) ?, 242(8) ?, 252(8) ? |
? If you choose Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management 214 & 244, you cannot choose Sociology 212, 222, 242 & 252 due to timetable restrictions.
** If you take Marketing Management 214 and 244, you must take Financial Management 214. Also see the prerequisites for Marketing Management 214 and 244 in Appendix A at the back of this book.
§ If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in third or fourth year.
Third year (at least 132 credits) *
Compulsory modules
Elective modules
Plus at least 28 credits from the following:
| Exchange Semester | 342(60) * |
| Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 312(12) |
| Legal Aspects of International Transactions | 314(12) |
| Management of Corporate Social Responsibility | 314(12) |
| Political Science | 222(8) |
| Economics | 318(24) |
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 214(16), 318(24) |
| Financial Management | 214(16) §, 314(12), 332(12) |
| Industrial Psychology | 224(16) ? |
| Investment Management | 314(12), 324(12) |
| Marketing Management | 214(16) §, 314(12) ?, 324(12) ? |
| Political Science | 212(8) |
§ If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in the third or fourth year.
? If you choose Financial Management 314 and 332, you cannot choose Social Anthropology 324 due to timetable restrictions.
* Depending on the circumstances in a given year (like 万博体育官网 or exchange opportunities), you may be required to enrol for the exchange semester in your fourth year of study, or to switch study Years 3 and 4.
Fourth year (120 credits) *
Compulsory modules
| Strategic Management | 344(12) |
Plus one of the following subjects (all modules) to continue on your focal area from the second and third years:
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 318(24), 348(24) or |
| Financial Management | 314(12), 332(12), 352(12) #, 354(12) # or |
| Investment Management | 314(12), 324(12), 344(12), 349(12) or |
| Marketing Management ? | 314(12) ?, 324(12) ?, 344(12), 354(12) |
Elective modules
Plus modules from the list below to make up at least 120 credits along with the modules above:
| Economics | 318(24), 348(24) |
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management | 318(24), 348(24) |
| Environmental Sociology | 333(12) |
| Financial Management | 314(12), 332(12), 352(12) #, 354(12) # |
| Investment Management | 314(12), 324(12), 344(12), 349(12) |
| Marketing Management ? | 314(12) ?, 324(12) ?, 344(12), 354(12) |
| Industrial Psychology | 224(16) ? |
| Political Science | 242(8), 324(12) ? |
| Social Anthropology | 343(12) # |
? If you choose the Marketing Management stream, Industrial Psychology 224 is compulsory and can be chosen in the third or fourth year.
? If you choose Marketing Management 314 & 324, you cannot choose Political Science 324, due to timetable restrictions.
# If you choose Financial Management 352 & 354, you cannot choose Social Anthropology 343, due to timetable restrictions.
* Depending on the circumstances in a given year (like 万博体育官网 or exchange opportunities), you may be required to enrol for the exchange semester in your fourth year of study, or to switch study Years 3 and 4.
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 万博体育官网. The exchange semester will take place at one of Stellenbosch 万博体育官网’s international partners.
Admission requirements
- Overall National Senior Certificate average of at least 80%, excluding Life Orientation
- Mathematics 70%
- English Home Language 70% or English First Additional Language 80%
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 2025
- Contact person for enquiries about this programme: Ilse Frans on +27 (0)21 808 9525 or at emsinfo@sun.ac.za
- Where to apply: https://student.sun.ac.za/signup/
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