OVERVIEW
The demand for persons and groups of people who are prepared to exploit business opportunities from the ever changing business environment through creation of new ventures or expansion of existing business enterprises has made it necessary to introduce the BBE degree programme. The level of unemployment in Zambia is high; and many school leavers and college/university graduates struggle to find employment upon graduation. Many businesses, especially SMEs, either close down or fail to grow into large business enterprises. In order to address these challenges, there is need to train people in entrepreneurial skills and in how to effectively manage small businesses.
AIM & OBJECTIVES
The aim of this programme is to equip students with knowledge and skills in business start-ups, business growth and development, managing opportunities, entrepreneurial marketing and strategy.
By the end of the programme, candidates should be able to:
- possess a thorough grounding in the fundamental theories, concepts, principles and practices of business management and entrepreneurship;
- have the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to establishment and management of entrepreneurial ventures;
- on how to collect and analyse data that can help in solving challenges faced by entrepreneurial organisations; and
- understand how to develop a business plan.
DURATION OF STUDY
The course of study for the award of the BBE degree shall be completed in a period of:
- not less than four and not more than six academic years in the case of full-time students;
- not less than five and not more than seven academic years in the case of evening students;
- not less than four and not more than seven academic years in the case of distance education students;
- not less than five and not more than seven academic years in the case of part time students;
- provided that for top-up degrees, the duration may be shorter, but not less than one year.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
To qualify for admission to the BBE degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications:
- Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English and Mathematics.
- Any relevant three year business studies/Entrepreneurship diploma from a recognised or university.
- Three ‘A’ level passes including English.
- Any degree from a recognised institution.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each year of study will be divided into two semesters. Except for BBE421 Research Methods and BBE442 Dissertation courses in the final year, the rest of the courses are structured in such a way that semester one courses are not a pre-requisite of semester two courses in each academic year. The course structure is as shown in Tables 1 to 4 below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BBE111 - Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | BBE112 - Introduction to Economics |
| BBE121 - Business Communication | BBE122 - Principles of Accounting |
| BBE131 - Cost Accounting | BBE132 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods |
| BBE141 - Introduction to Management | BBE142 - Principles of Marketing |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BBE211 - Entrepreneurship and Development | BBE212 - E-business Management |
| BBE221 - Financial Accounting | BBE222 - Taxation |
| BBE231 - Business Information Systems | BBE232 - Marketing Management |
| BBE241 - Business and Corporate Law | BBE242 - Cost and Management Accounting |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BBE311 - Managerial Economics | BBE312 - Small Business Development |
| BBE321 - Managing Strategic Risk | BBE322 - Financial and Capital Markets |
| BBE331 - Organisational Management | BBE332 - Financial Management |
| BBE341 - Project Management | BBE342 - Advanced Management Accounting |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BBE411 - Corporate Entrepreneurship | BBE412 - Global Enterprises and Innovation |
| BBE421 - Supply Chain Management | BBE422 - Strategic Management |
| BBE431 - Financial Modelling and Forecasting | BBE432 - Public Finance |
| BBE441 - Research Methods | BBE442 - Dissertation |
STUDENT PROGRESSION
FULL TIME STUDENTS
- A full-time student shall register for and take four courses in any semester of the academic year; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
- A full time student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
- A full time student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
- A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed course at the first available opportunity.
- A full time student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
- A full time student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
- A full time student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
- Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.
EVENING STUDENTS
- An evening student shall register for and take three or four courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
- An evening student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
- An evening student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to the next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
- An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
- An evening student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
- An evening student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
- An evening student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
- Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.
DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS
- A distance education student shall register for and take a minimum of three courses and a maximum of four courses each semester; provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
- A distance education student who passes all the courses taken during the academic year of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level courses.
- A distance education student who fails in one course in any academic year may be permitted to proceed to next level courses; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
- A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the first semester of an academic year shall be allowed to proceed to the second semester courses; provided the student repeats the failed courses at the first available opportunity.
- A distance education student who fails some or all of the courses in the second semester of an academic year shall be required to repeat those courses before proceeding to the next level of study, provided that the student has passed the first semester courses.
- A distance education student who fails all the courses in any academic year shall be excluded.
- A distance education student who fails a course twice is subject to exclusion; provided that, subject to successful appeal, the student may be permitted to repeat the course for the third and final time.
- Exclusion is applicable in compliance with the preceding regulations in Year 1 and Year 2 only.
EXEMPTIONS
A student who has, prior to admission to the BBE attended, whether at ZCAS University or elsewhere, courses of instruction and passed examinations equivalent in standard to courses and examinations which form part of the programme of study may, subject to approval, be exempted from attendance of classes and examinations in those courses. Exemptions will apply to candidates in possession of specific professional qualifications, while for all other candidates, exemptions will be granted on a case by case basis.
No exemptions are available in respect of third- and fourth-year courses regardless of the candidate’s qualifications.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
In all the courses listed (except for BBE421 Research Methods and BBE442 Dissertation), the distribution of marks shall be as follows:
Continuous assessment: 40%
1 test: 30%
1 assignment: 10%
Final examination: 60%
Total: 100%
The one test and final examination shall consist of one examination paper in each of the courses listed (BBE442 Dissertation) and shall normally be of three hours and three hours duration respectively.
GRADING
In the grading of final examination results, the following scale will apply:
Pass grades
A+ : Distinction (86% and above)
A: Distinction (76% – 85%)
B+ : Meritorious (66% – 75%)
B: Very Satisfactory (56% – 65%)
C+: Definite Pass (46% – 55%)
C: Bare Pass (40% – 45%)
S: Satisfactory, pass in a practical course
Fail grades
D: Fail (38% and below)
U: Unsatisfactory, fail in a practical course
NE: No examination taken
WD: Was withdrawn from the course with unsatisfactory academic progress – recorded where a student has not completed the required level of course work after a warning from the Dean of the School.
LT: Left the course during the semester without permission
DQ: Was disqualified in a course by Senate
DR: Was de-registered for failure to pay fees
RS: To re-sit the course examination only – recorded where a student is allowed by Senate to re-sit the final semester examination in the course, and to carry over the previous course work assessment.
DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
In calculating the class of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained:
- A+: 2.5 points
- A: 2 points
- B+: 1.5 points
- B: 1 point
- C+: 0.5 points
- C: 0 points
FEES
You can download this ZCAS University Fees list by clicking on the link below:
You can view the bank details here: