OVERVIEW
The increasing complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity in the operating environments of organisations make it difficult for their leaders and employees to create and preserve sustainable value. Finance professionals with high quality technical skills, deep understanding of their organisations, and the ability to influence and lead people can provide the insight those organisations need to craft and successfully execute their strategies. The BMA syllabus has been designed to enable this. The programme’s syllabus and assessment bridges skills gaps of newly qualified finance graduates, meeting the management accounting employability needs of both business and people.
The BMA degree programme is designed to meet the growing demand for professionally qualified management accountants who have also acquired academic competences. It is intended for the following groups of people.
DURATION OF STUDY
The programme runs for four years on full time, part time and distance education and not more than five academic years in case of any eventualities or unforeseen circumstances.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
To qualify for admission to the BMA degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications.
- Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English and Mathematics
- Part or full professional qualifications such as ZiCA, CA Zambia, CIMA and ACCA
- Any relevant three year accountancy diploma from a reputable college or university
- At least three ‘A’ level passes including Mathematics or equivalent
- Any degree from a recognized institution.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each year of study will be divided into two semesters and full-time students are expected to take four courses in each semester while evening and distance education students are expected to take three or four courses and part-time students up to three courses. The course structure is as shown below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BMA111 - Academic Writing | BMA112 - Introduction to Economics |
| BMA121 - Cost Accounting | BMA122 - Principles of Accounting |
| BMA131 - Introduction to Law | BMA132 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods |
| BMA141 - Introduction to Management | BMA142 - Principles of Marketing |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BMA211 - Financial Accounting | BMA212 - Taxation |
| BMA221 - Business Information Systems | BMA222 - Human Resource Management & Development |
| BMA231 - Business and Corporate Law | BMA232 - Management Accounting |
| BMA241 - Managerial Economics | BMA242 - Decision Making Techniques |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BMA311 - Financial Reporting | BMA312 - Financial Management |
| BMA321 - Supply Chain Management | BMA322 - Managing Strategic Risk |
| BMA331 - Project Management | BMA332 - Auditing and Assurance |
| BMA341 - Organisational Management | BMA342 - E-Business Management |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| BMA411 - Advanced Financial Reporting | BMA412 - Public Finance |
| BMA421 - Research Methods | BMA422 - Advanced Management Accounting |
| BMA431 - Corporate Finance | BMA432 - Strategic Management |
| BMA441 - Financial Modelling and Forecasting | BMA442 - 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 BMA, 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. Automatic 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.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
In all the courses listed, except BMA442 Dissertation, the distribution of marks shall be as follows:
Continuous assessment: 40%
1 test: 30%
1 assignment: 10%
Final examination: 60%
Total: 100%
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: