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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Commerce in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96508  Master of Commerce in Economics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Masters of Commerce in Economics intends to provide learners with an opportunity to specialise in an area of their choice within the domain of Economics. On completion, the qualifying learner will be expected to analyse and understand contemporary economic issues and public policy. In addition, the qualifying learners are expected to use their knowledge of economic models and research skills to solve economic problems and make sound decision making.

Rationale:
The Master of Commerce in Economics builds on the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours Degree in Economics to provide further knowledge and research skills in Economic Analysis and its application to real issues confronting societies not only in the Limpopo province of South Africa, but also at national and regional level.

The qualification prepares learners for different sectors such as higher institutions of learning, research centres, government, industry and commerce by providing them with an opportunity to deepen their theoretical base, analytical ability and research capabilities necessary to succeed in today's competitive job market.

Further, the qualification will prepare learners for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria for the Masters of Commerce in Economics but can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for admission at the discretion of the University and in strict adherence to the relevant University policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements to the Master of Commerce in Economics is a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours in Economics or its equivalent at NQF Level 8 with an aggregate pass of at least 60%.

Foreign qualification that is equivalent to the above qualifications as determined by SAQA. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The Masters of Commerce in Economics is a research/ dissertation worth 180 Credits. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Write a research proposal.
2. Identify, collect, and analyse relevant primary or secondary data to provide findings relevant for economic policy.
3. Communicate research outcomes effectively. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Formulation of research questions and rationale for study.
  • Critical appraisal of recent literature on the area of economics chosen for study.
  • Relate economic theory to practice.
  • Selection and description of research methods and econometric techniques that apply in the area of Economics chosen for study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Production of research instruments for primary data collection.
  • Creation of a data bank for primary or secondary data on the economic area of choice.
  • Use of econometric and statistical analysis software such as STATA, EVIEWS and Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS).
  • Interpretation of results and findings to inform policy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Production of written dissertation.
  • Presentation of research methods, findings and policy recommendations using oral and electronic medium.
  • Defend ideas that are outcomes of research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The formative assessment includes a written project proposal which is assessed by the school and university higher degrees committees.

    The summative assessment applies on the end product, which is a dissertation. Appointed internal and external examiners grade the dissertation in accordance with the applicable University rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Commerce in Economics compares with the following international qualifications:
  • University of Sydney Master of Commerce in Economics by research.
  • University of Otago Master of Commerce by research.
  • University of Wellington Master of Commerce in Economics by research. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Candidates can articulate vertically to Doctoral studies in Economics or related fields. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.
     
    1. University of Venda 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.