Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics

Overview

Economic growth is essential to address issues of poverty and unemployment within a developing economy such as South Africa. As such, there is an increasing need for graduates to obtain in depth and specialised skills within the discipline of Economics. Both the public and the private sectors demand graduates with a solid theoretical foundation of how the economy works and with specialised analytical and quantitative skills in the various fields of Economics. In addition, the marketplace expects graduates who have developed both analytical and research skills, and the ability to work and think logically and independently. This programme is intended for students wishing to specialise in Economics as a specific field of study. Learners are equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills in intermediate level macroeconomics and microeconomics, and econometrics, and are also able to experience economics applications through elective offerings. The skills graduates will develop on the programme are those that will facilitate their potential to work as an Economist in a specialised field. In addition, grounding in research is provided through a mentored research project, which together with their formal courses provides learners with the foundation required to successfully advance to Masters level study.

Duration

1 year

Entrance Requirements

  • A completed undergraduate degree with a major in Economics (minimum requirement)
  • Completion of a module in Mathematical Economics (or equivalent) at Level 3
  • Completion of a module in Quantitative Economics (or equivalent) at Level

Modules

Semester 1
  • ECON700 Economics Research Project (core module)
  • ECON7MA Macroeconomics (core module)
  • ECON7MI Microeconomics (core module)
  • ECON7IE Intermediate Econometrics (core module)
  • FINA7QF Quantitative Methods in Finance (core module)
Semester 2
  • ECON700 Economics Research Project (core module)
  • ECON7IN International Economics (elective module)
  • ECON7EN Environmental Economics (elective module)
  • ECON7SP Special Topics Economics (elective module)
  • ECON7LE Labour Economics (elective module)
Note: A completed Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Economics degree comprises 128 credit points. All modules are 16 credit points, except for ECON700, which is compulsory and is 32 credit points. Students must register for and complete ECON700, plus all four core modules in Semester 1, and 2 elective modules in semester 2. Elective modules offered may change each year. Students may complete one Honours-level elective from a discipline outside of the School, with the approval of Academic Leader: Teaching and Learning.

Career Opportunities

As an Economics graduate you will have developed analytical and problem-solving skills that are highly versatile and widely transferable across jobs and careers. Popular careers include (but are not limited to):
  • Economist
  • Economic researcher
  • Data analyst
  • Financial risk analyst
  • Investment analyst
Prospective employers include both local and national government, private and public banks, insurance companies, financial consultancies, local authorities, NGOs, private consultancies and think-tanks, large multinational companies and insurance companies.

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