Business Management Course Time

In this article, we are going to cover business management courses, their duration and more to help you when choosing the right course for you.

Knowing the business management course time is important before you decide to start. Some people may have lots of time, while others may be busy with other things, like work or family. 

In South Africa, business management courses come in different options, making it easy to fit them into your life. This section will explain how long these courses take and how they can work for you.

Course Duration And Structure

Business management courses can take different amounts of time depending on how you study them. Some courses are faster, while others give you more time to learn at your own speed.

Business Management Course Time In South Africa

In South Africa, you can study business management through two types of courses: NATED courses and small business management courses.

  • NATED Courses: These courses have three levels: N4, N5, and N6. Each level usually takes 12 months to complete, meaning the whole course can take 36 months. But you can also take longer if you need more time.
  • Small Business Management Courses: These courses are shorter. The shortest one takes 4 months, and the longest takes 12 months. They are great if you want to quickly learn how to manage a small business.

Can I Pass N4 In 4 Months?

The N4 Business Management course normally takes 12 months, but some students can finish it in 4 months. This is called an accelerated course, where you study hard and fast. To pass in such a short time, you need to be very focused and spend a lot of time studying.

It is possible, but you have to be ready to handle the workload and do all your assignments and exams on time.

Business Management Course Part-Time

Many people in South Africa study business management part-time. This is a good option if you have other things going on, like a job or taking care of family. Skills Academy makes part-time study easy through distance learning, which means you can study from home. Here are five reasons why distance learning is great for part-time students:

  • Study Anytime: You can study when it works for you, whether that is in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
  • Go at Your Own Speed: You decide how fast or slow you want to study. This is helpful if you need more time to understand the work.
  • No Need to Travel: You can study from home, so you do not have to waste time or money travelling to a school.
  • Affordable Payments: Skills Academy offers payment plans that make it easier to pay for your course over time.
  • Online Learning Materials: All the lessons, assignments, and resources are available online, so you can study wherever you have internet access.

Studying part-time through distance learning gives you lots of freedom to learn while still handling your other responsibilities.

Now that you know how long the courses take, it is time to look at what you will learn. The next section will explain the modules and content of business management courses, showing you what skills and knowledge you will gain.

Modules And Content

Every business management course has subjects that teach you important skills. In this section, you will learn about the subjects in NATED Business Management and Small Business Management courses. Each subject helps you get better at running or managing a business.

Curriculum

The curriculum is the list of subjects you will study during the course. Different courses have different subjects that teach you various skills. Let’s look at the subjects in NATED Business Management and Small Business Management courses.

NATED Business Management Curriculum

NATED courses are split into three levels: N4, N5, and N6. Each level teaches you new skills and builds on what you have already learned. Here is a table showing what subjects you will study at each level:

CourseDescription
N4 Business Management (12 Months)Management Communication: Learn how to communicate clearly and professionally in the workplace. This helps you work better with others and build good relationships.
Introductory Accounting: This subject teaches you the basics of accounting, like keeping records and understanding finances.
Entrepreneurship and Business Management: Discover what it takes to be an entrepreneur and learn how to manage a business, including creating business plans.
Computer Practice: Learn how to use computers and basic software, which will help you with tasks like writing and making spreadsheets.
N5 Business Management (24 Months)Entrepreneurship and Business Management: Build on what you learned in N4. Learn about making good business decisions and understanding ethics.
Sales Management: Learn how to sell products, work with customers, and understand marketing.
Public Relations: Find out how to manage a business’s reputation and talk to the public and media.
Computer Practice: Develop more advanced computer skills, like working with spreadsheets and operating systems.
N6 Business Management (36 Months)Entrepreneurship and Business Management: Learn about business strategy, different business environments, and how to handle international business.
Sales Management: Learn how to manage a sales team, recruit new employees, and check their performance.
Cost and Management Accounting: This subject teaches advanced accounting skills, like managing a business’s finances and avoiding fraud.
Public Relations: Learn more about handling a business’s reputation, both inside and outside the company.

Small Business Management Curriculum

The Small Business Management Courses are shorter and focus on giving you practical skills to manage a small business. Below is a table showing the subjects you will study:

CourseDescription
Short Course Certificate (4 Months)Introduction to Business English: Learn how to speak and write properly in a business setting. This is good for people with little experience in the workplace.
Business Writing: Learn how to write important business documents like letters, reports, and proposals.
Business Etiquette: Understand the proper way to behave in an office, during meetings, and when travelling for work.
Certificate Course (8 Months)Business Finance: Learn how to manage money in a business, including handling risks and understanding cash flow.
Business Problem Solving: Develop problem-solving skills by learning how to think critically and work with a team.
Comprehensive Course (12 Months)Budgeting: Learn how to create and manage budgets to keep a business running smoothly.
Business Ethics: Understand the importance of making good, ethical decisions in a business environment.

Assessment And Certification

After studying the subjects, you will need to complete assignments and exams to earn your certificate. These tests show that you understand the course content.

  • NATED Courses: You will complete three assignments that you can do at home, followed by a final exam set by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The exams are offered in May/June and October/November each year.
  • Small Business Management Courses: These courses also have assignments that you do at home. Once you pass them, you will get a certificate that shows you have completed the course.

For NATED courses, you can get a National Diploma after finishing the N4, N5, and N6 levels and completing practical work experience.

Now that you know what subjects you will study and how the assessments work, the next section will cover how you can enrol in these courses. Let’s take a look at the admission and entry requirements needed to start a business management course.

Admission And Entry Requirements

Before you can start a business management course, it is important to know what you need to apply. Some courses have more strict rules, while others are open to anyone. In this section, we will explain what is needed to enrol in NATED Business Management and Small Business Management courses.

Admission Requirements

Different courses have different rules for who can apply.

  • NATED Business Management Courses: To start the N4 level of this course, you need to have a Matric certificate or an equal qualification. If you do not have Matric, you can first finish a Matric course and then start the NATED courses.
  • Small Business Management Courses: These courses are open to everyone, and you do not need Matric to join. They are perfect for people who want to quickly learn how to manage or start a business without needing any school qualifications.

Which Subject Is Required For Business Management?

You do not need any special subjects from school to study business management. Subjects like Mathematics, Business Studies, and Accounting can help, but they are not required. 

These subjects can make it easier to understand some things, but you can still do well even if you did not take them in school.

Can I Study Business Management With Grade 11?

Yes, you can study business management if you have Grade 11. Many courses, like the Small Business Management Courses, do not require Matric, so having Grade 11 is enough to start.

If you want to do a NATED Business Management course but do not have Matric, you have other options. You can choose to finish your Matric with Skills Academy before starting the N4 course. You can study Matric online or through distance learning, which lets you study while still doing other things.

After finishing Matric, you can join the N4 Business Management course and work your way towards a National Diploma.

Now that you know what you need to apply for these courses, the next step is to learn about the fees and payment options. In the next section, we will talk about how much the courses cost and the different ways you can pay for them.

Fees And Financial Considerations

Before starting a business management course, it is important to think about how much it will cost. Knowing about the fees will help you plan and decide how to pay for your studies. This section explains the costs of business management courses and how you can pay for them.

What Are Business Management Fees?

Business management courses cost money, but the amount depends on the type of course you choose. The fees cover things like your tuition, learning materials, and exams. NATED Business Management courses and Small Business Management courses may have different costs.

Although the total cost might seem high, many schools, like Skills Academy, offer payment plans that let you pay over time, making it easier to manage.

What Are Monthly Management Fees?

Instead of paying the full cost of the course all at once, you can make monthly payments. This means you pay a smaller amount each month to cover your course. This is called a monthly management fee. It includes everything you need, like study materials and help from your tutors.

Paying monthly helps you stick to a budget and makes it easier to afford your education without having to pay all at once.

Now that we have talked about how much it costs to study, the next step is to learn about the NATED Program and its course levels. In the following section, we will explain how the courses are organised and what you will learn at each level.

Nated Program And Course Levels

The NATED Program helps students learn important business management skills. It has different levels: N4, N5, and N6. Each level teaches you more as you go along, making you better at understanding how businesses work. 

In this section, we will explain the differences between these levels and how you can study them.

What Is The Difference Between N4 And N6?

The NATED Business Management Program has three levels, each one harder than the last:

  • N4: This is the beginner level. You will learn the basics of business management, such as communication, basic accounting, and starting a business.
  • N5: In this level, you will build on what you learned in N4. The subjects become more detailed. You will learn about sales, public relations, and how to make decisions in a business.
  • N6: This is the final level. You will learn advanced topics like business strategy, financial planning, and managing people. After completing N6 and doing some practical work, you can earn a National Diploma.

Can I Take N5 And N4 Together?

Yes, you can study N4 and N5 at the same time. Skills Academy allows students to complete all three levels—N4, N5, and N6—within 36 months. This means you can take your time and finish all three levels in about three years.

Doing two levels at the same time is possible, but it requires more effort. This option works well for students who want to finish faster and move on to work or further studies.

Now that you know how the NATED program works, the next section will explore what kind of careers and job opportunities you can expect after finishing a business management course.

Career And Employment Prospects

After you finish a business management course, you will be ready to apply for jobs in the business world. The skills you learn will help you find work in different types of jobs, depending on the level of your certificate. In this section, we will explain what jobs you can get with an N6 certificate and what the highest-paying jobs in business management are.

Can I Apply For A Job With An N6 Certificate?

Yes, you can apply for a job with an N6 certificate. Once you complete the N4, N5, and N6 levels in business management, you can work in many jobs. Some of these jobs include:

  • Office Manager: You will manage the daily tasks in an office, making sure everything runs smoothly.
  • Sales Manager: As a sales manager, you will lead a team to meet sales goals and keep customers happy.
  • Public Relations Officer: This job is about managing a company’s reputation and communicating with the public and media.
  • Financial Assistant: You will help with budgeting and keeping track of a company’s money.

After finishing N6, you need to do 18 months of work experience to get your National Diploma. This diploma will help you get even better jobs and improve your career options.

What Is The Highest Paying Job In Business Management?

In business management, the highest-paying jobs are often given to people with lots of experience or advanced qualifications, like a diploma or degree. Some of the highest-paying jobs are:

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO is the leader of the whole company and makes important decisions. This is one of the top-paying jobs in business.
  • Financial Manager: Financial managers are in charge of the company’s money. They plan budgets and manage all the finances.
  • Marketing Manager: This job is about promoting the company’s products and finding ways to attract customers.
  • Operations Manager: Operations managers make sure everything in the company runs smoothly, including managing staff and budgets.

These high-paying jobs usually need years of experience and extra qualifications, but starting with an N6 certificate is a great first step towards these careers.

Business management can lead to many great job opportunities. With an N6 certificate or a National Diploma, you can start your career in business and work your way up to higher positions. 

Whether you want to run a small business or work in a big company, the skills you learn will help you succeed.

If you are ready to start your journey, think about joining a course today. Visit Skills Academy to find the business management course that is right for you and begin your future career.

Frequently Asked Questions

NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Education Diploma. It is a programme designed by the South African government for higher education.

Yes, you can study business management without maths. Maths is helpful but not required.

To get a National Diploma after N6, you need to do 18 months of work experience in your field. Once you finish, you can apply for your diploma.

No, you need to complete 18 months of work after N6 to get your diploma and graduate.

Yes, some universities may accept an N6 certificate, but it depends on their entry requirements.

No, N4 is not the same as Matric, but you can study N4 after finishing Matric or something equal to it.

NATED and NCV are different. NATED is more focused on business skills, and NCV is for vocational (job) training, so it depends on what you want to do.

Last Updated: 28 October 2024

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