Postgraduate study in economics is designed to prepare students to pursue careers as economists in academia, government and the private sector. This objective is met by developing the ability to think logically and creatively, to analyse economic data through the application of appropriate theory and quantitative techniques, and to present research in seminars and written dissertations.
The Honours and Coursework Master’s programmes in economics are planned as a two-year sequence, where students receive the Honours degree after the first year of study.
Classes are given on the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
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Postgraduate study in economics is designed to prepare students to pursue careers as economists in academia, government and the private sector. This objective is met by developing the ability to think logically and creatively, to analyse economic data through the application of appropriate theory and quantitative techniques, and to present research in seminars and written dissertations.
The Honours and Coursework Master’s programmes in economics are planned as a two-year sequence, where students receive the Honours degree after the first year of study.
Classes are given on the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
Economics Master of Commerce and Honours in Economics
The School of Accounting, Economics and Finance offers a coursework Master of Commerce on the Westville Campus and Honours Programmes in Economics on the Westville and Pietermaritzburg Campuses.
Economics is taught by academics with a diverse range of research interests and who are widely published in their fields of specialisation.

Trade and Industry

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

Transport Economics

Macroeconomic Policy

Health Economics

Labour Economics

Development Economics
Programme structure
Postgraduate study in Economics is designed to prepare students to pursue careers in economics in academia, government and the private sector. This objective is met by developing the ability to think logically and creatively, to analyse economic data through the application of the appropriate theory and research in seminars and written dissertations.
The Honours Programme consists of four 16-credit core modules, two 16-credit optional modules and the 32-credit Honours Research Dissertation.
Modules
- Econometrics
- Macroeconomics
- Mathematics for Economists
- Macroeconomics
- Development Economics
- Economics of Health Care
- Industrial Organisation
- International Trade
- Labour Economics
- Monetary Economics
- Sustainable Resource Usage in South Africa
In the Coursework Masters Programme, students will develop a deeper understanding of the core material in economics and of the South African economy and, at the same time, they will be able to specialise in particular areas of study.
The Programme develops ones capacity to apply theory and sophisticated economic and econometric tools to the Programme are well placed to function as economists in academia, government and the private sector.
The Coursework Masters Programme consists of six 16-credit modules, at least two of which are taken from the list of core Masters modules (with the remainder from the list of optional modules), and a 96-credit Masters Research Dissertation. The core modules are Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Microeconomics and Advanced Macroeconomics.
The Honours Programme can be completed in four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time.
Applicants should be in possession of an undergraduate degree with an economic major and minimum aggregate of 55% in the fi nal year of study in Economics in order to be considered for a place in the Programme. Furthermore, Quantitative Economics (or an equivalent course in the case of external applicants) must be passed with a minimum mark of 60%. All the level three modules relevant to the admission process are to be passed at the first attempt.
Achieving a 55% aggregate is the minimum requirement to be considered eligible for the Programme but does not guarantee acceptance as places may be limited in which case students will be accepted in order of academic performance.
Students who
(i) Have an Honours Degree in Economics with an average of at least 55%;
(ii) Have acquired a satisfactory level of achievement in the requisite quantitative skills, as determined by the Academic Leader: Research and Higher Degrees; and
(iii) Possess the necessary English language skills to deal with the material of the course, will be considered for a place in the Masters Programme. Acceptance is at the discretion of the Academic Leader: Research and Higher Degrees.
- 20 December for the fi rst semester of the following year
- 30 June for the second semester of the current year
- Westville Campus: +27 (0) 31 260 7644/1079
- Pietermaritzburg Campus: +27 (0) 33 260 6486
The School of Accounting, Economics and Finance will also consider applications for Masters and PhD study by Research in the field of Economics. Prospective students may contact the School for further information.