SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Commerce in Economics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111426	Master of Commerce in Economics
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Finance, Economics and Accounting
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-09-03	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
87446	Master of Commerce in Economics	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	180	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Master of Commerce in Economics is aimed at preparing researchers to engage with theory at an advanced level, to acquire highly specialised knowledge in the field and to contribute to the development of knowledge through completion of an independent research project. The competition and regulation economics stream aims to augment this by providing learners with an understanding of the role played by economics in competition law and practice. The qualification will focus on providing learners with an advanced knowledge of economic theory related to markets, market power and its exercise a well as a detailed knowledge of South African competition law. A hands-on approach will be emphasised with extensive use of industry experts, and an analysis of cases to give a clear understanding of when economic analysis is relevant to a particular competition law case.

Qualifying learners will be able to:

Apply the theoretical principles of problem identification to address the priority or key problems in Economics and competition regulation.

Apply a specialised theoretical and comprehensive content knowledge within the field of Economics and competition regulation.

Conduct a research project utilising advanced and appropriate methodology for the context and research questions in the fields of economic, business, financial management and competition regulation.

Evaluate, analyse and interpret information related to the application of research in the field of economics and competition regulation.

Rationale:
The public and private sectors demand highly trained Economists with adequate research training, especially at the Postgraduate Level. The qualification will satisfy the above needs by offering high level knowledge in specific fields and imparting familiarity with relevant theoretical approaches within these, as well as providing research training accompanied by the appropriate use of advanced methodologies.

The qualification includes a dissertation component that will enable learners to proceed from this thorough grounding to conducting independent research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners may achieve this qualification in part or wholly through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL will be conducted in accordance with the Policy and Guidelines of the institution to grant credits or access. The recognition is applicable where the learner has gained experience in formal, informal and non-formal learning. The learner is expected to submit evidence to support the application.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics and Mathematical Statistics, NQF Level 8.
Or

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Law, NQF Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 9, 160 Credits:

Advanced Microeconomics, 16 Credits.

Advanced Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.

Quantitative and Research Methods in Economics, 8 Credits.

Applied Econometrics, 8 Credits.

Advanced Competition Law and Policy, 20 Credits.

Economics for Competition Regulation, 20 Credits.

Econometrics of Competition, 8 Credits.

Dissertation, 64 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 9, 32 Credits (Choose four):

Competition and the use of tenders and auctions, 20 Credits.

Innovation and Intellectual Property, 8 Credits.

Financial Sector Regulation and Development, 8 Credits.

Development Economics, 16 Credits.

International Trade Theory, 16 Credits.

Public Sector Economics, 16 Credits.

Labour Economics, 16 Credits.

Monetary Economics, 16 Credits.

Investment and Portfolio Analysis, 16 Credits.

Corporate Finance, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply the theoretical principles of problem identification and problem solving to priority or key problems in the field of Economics and competition.
2. Apply specialised theoretical and comprehensive content knowledge within the field of Economics and competition regulation.
3. Conduct a research project utilising appropriate advanced methodology to research questions in the field of economics and competition regulation.
4. Evaluate, analyse and interpret information related to the application of research in the field of economics and competition regulation.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply the theoretical principles in identifying problems in the field of economics and competition regulation and suggest solutions to the identified problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply specialised theoretical and comprehensive knowledge within the field of economics and competition and regulation and demonstrate an understanding of specialised knowledge in a real-life commercial situation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate technical competence in the application of quantitative and computer assisted problem solving; Participate in discussions related to research projects; Manipulate qualitative and quantitative data within the area of a research project and organise and co-ordinate resources and opportunities in the research project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Analyse knowledge of the recent findings in the research project; articulate and communicate recommendations to make improvements in the area of study in the field of economics and competition regulation and produce academic papers that reflect an ability to interrogate the professional literature and engaged in critical debate.

Integrated Assessment:
Formative and summative assessments will be undertaken in each coursework Module.

All modules will be externally assessed and moderated. An external examiner will be appointed and will assess the coursework and the research components of the qualification in each specialised area.

The following forms of assessments will be conducted:

Formative Assessment: presentations, assignments, group assignments and continuous evaluations of lectures.

Summative Assessment: written tests, assignments, presentations, portfolio of evidence and final exit examination.

Dissertation will be moderated by external moderator according to the institution's policy.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The following international qualifications have similar modules to those of this Master of Commerce: Economics:

Master of Economics: Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

Master of Commerce: University of Otago, New Zealand.

Master of Science Economics: University of East Anglia.

The following modules in those qualifications are similar to those in this qualification:

Microeconomics.

Macroeconomics.

Development Economics.

International trade.

Industrial Organisation and Competition Economics.

This qualification is internationally comparable because the theoretical content is similar to that of those with which it was compared and because it consists of a research component which complies with internationally accepted standards.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Commerce in finance, Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Commerce in Economics, Level 10.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

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LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.

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PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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