SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111533	Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First 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	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 1141/23	2021-07-01	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2030-06-30

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
81892	Bachelor of Commerce in Economics	Level 6	NQF Level 07	360	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to respond to the changing economic environment by providing learners with expert knowledge of and skills in Economics. The qualification integrates the economic needs of industry, the region and locally.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 aims at training aspiring and budding Economists, who will, upon completion, contribute to the South African economy in a variety of sectors. The qualification provides insight into what drives the economies of the world and develops the ability of learners to evaluate and analyse the macro-economic policies of governments and projects. A learner will gain the requisite understanding and knowledge that will enable him/her to advice on the establishment of economic development projects for Local Economic Development (LED).

Studying Economics enables the learner to gain an overview of the economic environment that affects Business Enterprises, Labour, Education, Sports and almost every aspect of human activity. Wherever the learner eventually ends up in the world of work, knowledge of Economics will stand him/her in good stead when making decisions on investment, business ventures or further career choices.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be conducted in alignment with the institution's RPL Policy. RPL will be used for admission into the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7. Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted through RPL. The RPL process for admissions expects learners who are applying for admission through RPL to have equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies in English, Mathematics and Economic Management Sciences as those expected from learners with a National Senior Certificate, Level 4). Each application is evaluated individually using RPL principles.
Learners that have gained credits in modules deemed equivalent to modules in the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 will be awarded credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements:

National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Senior Certificate, Level 4 with matriculation exemption.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 6 and 7.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 192 Credits:

Mathematical Economics B, 16 Credits.

Microeconomics 1, 16 Credits.

Statistics for Economics B, 16 Credits.

Statistics for Economists A, 16 Credits.

Macroeconomics 2, 16 Credits.

Commercial Law B, 12 Credits.

Mathematical Economics A, 16 Credits.

Accounting IB, 12 Credits.

Commercial Law A, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Economics A, 12 Credits.

Accounting IA, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Business Management B, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Business Management A, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Economics B, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6:

Public Personnel Management and Labour Relations, 16 Credits.

Accounting IIB, 16 Credits.

Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.

Accounting IIA, 16 Credits.

Management of Public Finances, 16 Credits.

Financial Management, 16 Credits.

Structuring and Functioning of Public Administration, 12 Credits.

Elementary Set Theory, Linear and Introductory Abstract Algebra, 12 Credits.

Differential and Integral Level Differential and Integral Calculus, 12 Credits.

Nature, Content & Scope of Public, 12 Credits.

Public Personnel Management and Labour Relations, 16 Credits.

Accounting IIB, 16 Credits.

Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.

Accounting IIA, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7: 88 Credits:

Monetary Economics, 24 Credits.

Public Sector Economics, 20 Credits.

International Economics, 20 Credits.

Development Economics, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 7:

Public Administration, 20 Credits.

Marketing Management, 20 Credits.

Econometrics, 20 Credits.

Environmental Economics, 20 Credits.

Econometrics B, 20 Credits.

Strategic Management, 20 Credits.

Health Economics, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge, a high level of intellectual independence and a systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the areas of specialisation in Economics.
2. Identify, analyse and solve problems using practical and theoretical knowledge of Economics.
3. Conduct specific investigations in the areas of specialisation by applying a range of suitable methods to resolve problems and/or introduce change.
4. Produce and communicate professional and occupational ideas and creative insights effectively, appropriate to context in a variety of modes to a range of audiences.
5. Take decisions and act ethically, responsibly and professionally within a supported environment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

Have an informed outline of knowledge and understanding in the content, theories, and scholarly positions of the critical core of a number of Commerce contexts at a basic and intermediate level.

Critically question the basic assumptions of the most important theories, scholarly positions and basic methodologies in Commerce.

Analyse and locate own work in contemporary contexts (such as the South African and African contexts) regarding specific issues and/or problems.

Interpret topical issues using different perspectives in Commercial contexts.

Interpret, explain and/or develop an argument around and an understanding of newly-encountered material.

Demonstrate an ability to marshal an approach used in Commerce related contexts.

Integrated Assessment:
The assessment approach is an integrated approach horizontally and vertically to ensure that Exit Level Outcomes have been met.

Continuous and formative assessments include tests, assignments, quizzes, presentations and group work and together they contribute 60% towards the final mark. These assessments will assess across and within learning outcomes.

Summative assessment, which consists of a three-hour examination paper, is conducted at the end of each semester and it contributes 40% towards the final mark.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification has been compared to similar qualifications internationally. The qualification focuses learners into aspects required in general Economics such as Micro and Macro Economics and focuses on national and international economics topics, whilst giving learners opportunities to elect topics that that they are particularly interested in.

The qualification compares favourably with the three-year Bachelor of Commerce qualifications in Australia and New Zealand.

Monash University, Australia, offers a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Economics. The qualification requires English and Mathematics for admission, and includes Micro and Macroeconomics, with numerous electives on Economics subjects selected as per the learner's interest.
The Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 compares well the Monash Bachelor of Commerce incorporating various disciplines such as accounting, economics, business management and human resource management, leading to majors in economics. The qualifications differ in that the Monash qualification allows learners to elect a capstone project, a work-study period or an international work-study experience.

Monash University also offers a Bachelor of Business Studies that exposes learners to several business disciplines. It contributes breadth of knowledge of business and develops understanding of multi-disciplinary decision making in organisations. It has a more restricted list of electives in Economics focussed on understanding of core economic theories and being able to apply economic analysis and the economic way of thinking to assist decisions in specific business strategy contexts.

The Bachelor of Business Studies (with Economics as a major) at the Queensland University of Technology, in Australia, offers a three-year qualification with learning in studies of inflation, interest rates, competition, business strategy, maximisation of resources and the impact of decisions made by government. It prepares learners for careers such as a business analyst, economist, financial project manager, quantitative analyst, risk manager or statisticians a professional in their chosen discipline and to develop business skills and be able to think creatively and critically, communicate professionally, make ethical business decisions and work in a global context.

The content of the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 and the Queensland University qualification are similar in that they both include general topics in economics, with learners being able to take electives based on their career choice and interest. The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) qualification includes topics with a statistical basis such as game theory and applications which the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 does not.

At the University of Auckland, New Zealand, a three-year Bachelor of Commerce is offered whereby learners may opt to specialise in a single major or in a double major depending on the learner's choice. The first year is comprised of seven core subjects, which include accounting, economics, statistics, business analytics and understanding and law. Learners can elect majors in Economics. Similar Economics subjects are offered as in the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7, although the University of Auckland offers a much larger choice of electives.

In comparison to similar qualifications in the United States and Canadian Universities, the length of study is four years compared to three years, often the first year being a pre-study module in English, Mathematics and Economics.

At the University of Alberta, the Bachelor of Commerce in Business Economics and Law focuses on various disciplines in Economics and also on Law which differs from the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7. The University Of Alberta Bachelor Of Commerce in Business Economics and Law includes topics in business economics, international economics and how economics impacts on government. The outcomes of the Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Level 7 are to prepare learners for management, planning and policy-making roles in organisations of all sizes in the private and public sectors. There are thus some similarities in topics between the two qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy, Level 7.

Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics, Level 8.

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.

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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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