Welcome to the Economics Department online site.

The Economics Department was established at the University in the 1970s, over the decades it has made great strides in developing its programmes to the point we now offer undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications that are world class and are sought after by both national and international students. We have a dynamic team of experts in a variety of specialisation that covers a broad spectrum sub-disciplines ranging from macroeconomics, finance, development economics, agricultural economics, monetary economics and econometrics (macroeconometrics and microeconometrics).

In recent years we have been developing our specialisation the economics of entrepreneurship and rurality. We are dedicated to offering the highest quality education to our students and to serve our local communities. Some of our staff are involved in education projects with the Department of Basic Education, while others are involved in projects promoting entrepreneurship within the rural setting. Many of our Master’s and Doctoral projects are directly concerned with rurality and local economic development issues.

Purpose and Rationale

BCom 4-Year Extended Degree: General Information

BCom: 4-Year Extended: Economics and Banking (2FEGEB)

Academic Structure:

BCom: 4-Year Extended: Economics and Insurance (2FEGEI)

BCom: 4-Year Extended: Economics and HR Management (2FEGEH)

Purpose and rationale of the qualification

• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of general principles and theories of business and their application in business and commerce.
• Demonstrate technical and communication skills and knowledge that are appropriate in the area(s) of their chosen specialisation.
• Display a continuing professional approach to work, community responsibilities and personal development.
• Solve problems in business and commerce.
• Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in organisations to create the opportunity to develop as a leader in a multi-disciplinary environment.

BCom degree: General information

BCom: Economics and Banking (2DEGEB)

Academic Structure

BCom: Economics and Insurance (2DEGEI)

Academic Structure:

BCom: Economics and HR Management (2DEGEH)

Academic Structure:

POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS

 General Admission Requirements

Submissions and Deadlines

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics (2HON05)

 Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

Exit-level outcomes

• demonstrate a sound and advanced understanding of key micro- and macroeconomic principles, international trade and finance, monetary economics and financial economics and successfully apply various econometric techniques and models to solve economic problems using both South African, SADC and BRICS data;
• understand advanced economic theories relevant to economic and local economic development;
• critically evaluate the need for prudential macroeconomic policies and effective regulatory frameworks in developing economies;
• construct multiple options of applying and integrating economic knowledge to solve theoretical, applied or real life economic problems;
• critically analyses firm behaviour, incentives and strategies and the impact of this on the economy;
• apply quantitative techniques, econometric tools, tests and economic evidence to evaluate economic issues, based on sound theoretical frameworks and challenge decisions through robust economic reasoning;
• exhibit an ability to reflect with self and others, critical of own and other people’s thoughts and actions, and capable of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of continual challenge from the economic environment; and
• demonstrate consciousness of, and engagement with, own learning and learning strategies, and awareness of the nature of knowledge and how new knowledge can be acquired in the economics environment.

BCom Honours in Economics: General Information

Academic Structure: BCom Honours in Economics

MASTER’S QUALIFICATIONS BY RESEARCH

The teaching philosophy for post-graduate studies is based on the following assumptions:

• That the students are adults and that the principles underpinning adult learning inform the teaching approach to be used. This includes self-directed learning, self-paced learning and critical reflective learning.
• The students are independent students and should develop the ability to synthesise, analyse and interpret a variety of facts and be able to formulate a critical stance.
• That students are guided and supported to develop the ability to understand the variety of academic discourses and the ability to develop sound academic writing skills that are of a standard that corresponds with work of a postgraduate standard.

Master of Commerce: Economics (2MAS05)

Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

Exit-level outcomes:

• • Demonstrate their competence in applying the advanced theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of economic, business and financial management correctly and reflect on the application made. (Problem solving skills).

• • Plan and undertake advanced research in the field of economics, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on economic related issues correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflect on the research undertaken (Research skills).

• • Communicate effectively orally and in writing on an advanced level with the different role players in the field of economics, by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the application made (Communication skills).

• • Accountably develop an advanced theoretical and practical macro-vision, taking into account socio-political and multi-cultural factors of economics, internationally, nationally, provincially or regionally and locally (Develop a macro-vision).

• • Accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of economics, business and financial management. (Entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills).

• • Practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationship with others and work effectively in a team by implementing advanced relevant theory and reflect on the implementation thereof. (Team-work).

• • Utilise appropriate management technology (e.g. computer and e-mail) effectively in the economic environment (Technological and environmental literacy).

• • Promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of advanced management capabilities within the field of economics, both on the local and national level (Promoting citizenship).

• • Practise acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the different role players in the economic industry by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the application made (Cultural and aesthetic sensitivity).

• • Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills, for entry into the different sectors of the economic industry utilising the theoretical principles and reflect on the application thereof (Employment seeking skills).

Master of Commerce: Economics General Information

DOCTORAL QUALIFICATIONS

Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

Doctor of Commerce in Economics (2PHD05)

 Doctor of Commerce (Economics): General information