Bachelor of Arts in Financial Services

RATIONALE

The demand for qualified financial services specialists who can contribute to the growth of the financial sector in Zambia has made it necessary to introduce the BAFS degree programme. Introducing this learning programme by ZCAS University presents an opportunity to produce a product that will help raise the standard of financial services knowledge and skills in the country and the region

AIM

The aim of this degree programme is to equip candidates with knowledge and skills in the fields of banking, insurance, pensions and capital markets.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the programme, candidates should be able to:

• discuss the scope of financial services in Zambia;
• evaluate the factors shaping financial services in Zambia and internationally;
• demonstrate the critical abilities of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and judgement as applied to banking, insurance, pensions and capital markets; and
• collect and analyse business data to help in solving challenges related to the provision of financial services

ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission to the BAFS degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications:

• Five credits at ‘O’ Level including English and Mathematics
• Diploma in Banking and Finance;
• Professional Diploma in Banking and Finance;
• Part qualified CIMA, ACCA and ZICA or equivalent;
• Any degree from a recognised institution;
• ACCA, CIMA, ZICA or Equivalent professional qualification;
• At least three ‘A’ level passes including English and Mathematics or equivalent.

EXEMPTIONS

• A student who has, prior to admission to the BAFS 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.

DURATION OF STUDY

The course of study for the award of the BAFS 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.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Each year of study will be divided into two semesters.  Except for BAFS421 Research Methods and BAFS442 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.

FEES

You can download this ZCAS University Fees list by clicking on the link below:

ZCAS University Current Fees

You can view the bank details here:

ZCAS University bank details

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.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

In all the courses listed (except for BAFS421 Research Methods and BAFS442 Dissertation), the distribution of marks shall be as follows:

Continuous assessment                                                                                 40%   

1 test                                                                                      30%

1 assignment                                                                          10%

Final examination                                                                                           60%

Total                                       100%

The test and final examination shall consist of one examination paper in each of the courses listed and shall normally be of three hours duration.

GRADING

To be eligible for the award of the BAFS degree, a student must have:

• Passed all the 32 Courses.
• Adhered to the requisite course combinations in each semester.
• 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 (39% 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.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

1. In calculating the grade of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
   
   2. A+ 5 points
   3. A                                                                    0 points
   4. B+ 5 points
   5. B 0 point
   6. C+                         5 point
   7. C 0 point
2. The grading of the BAFS degree is based on all grades obtained in the last two years (i.e. 16 courses). No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
3. The points for classification of the degree shall be as follows:

Distinction                                                      28 – 40 points

Merit                                                               20 – 27.5 points

Credit                                                              12 – 19.5 points

Pass                                                                 0 – 11.5 points

ZCAS University offers this programme in full-time, part-time and distance education. You can apply now by clicking the button below!