SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112324  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours 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 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics is designed to equip the learners with strong analytical research skills in economics as a discipline, and provide solid insight on the relevant economic analysis that relates to the theory and policy implications. The learners will be able to respond appropriately to the economic problems that arise by identifying, analysing and resolving challenges created by external and internal factors that impact on the environmental, social and economic aspects, and be able to generate empirical findings for policy intervention.

Rationale:
Challenges of the twenty-first century require the value of a highly skilled workforce that is equipped with analytical and problem-based competences. If there is a shortage in the number of such workforces, it will affect the level of economic productivity and cause a shortfall in the capacity of the country to develop a knowledgeable economy. Therefore, there is a need to address such a shortfall as witnessed in the case of South Africa's economy.

This will help the country to function correctly as a player in the global corporate environment and the economy worldwide. As such, the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics will offer a strategically mixed, analytical approach through the research undertaking. This is because the qualification is tailored to achieve the national objectives of social and economic growth and also acknowledges the NDP 2030 goal relating to "building a capable and developmental state". Upon completion of the qualification, learners will gain exposure in various field of employment, including Banking, Health, Retail, Marketing, government, manufacturing, infrastructure, academic and other fields which are listed in the top 100 critical skills Report of the Department of Home Affairs.

This qualification targets learner who have completed their Bachelor of Commerce in Economics or Bachelor of Technology or Advance Diploma in Economics. Qualifying learners will have developed skills to work as consultants for firms or the government on economic matters of their choice options. They will also be empowered to proceed for higher Postgraduate studies. Currently, the Department of Economic and Business Sciences has the leaning pathway the Masters of Commerce in Economics level. There is a plan by the institution to recruit more senior academics to begin doctoral studies in the near future.

This qualification is designed to prepare learners for the deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices in Economics, as well as the development of their ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practice-related economic problems and tasks through the selection and use of appropriate methods and techniques. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process through which the prior knowledge and skills and or work experience of a learner are made visible and assessed for alternative admission into a required qualification. RPL for access: If a learner does not meet the formal entry requirements for admission into a qualification, RPL can be applied. All RPL applications will be considered according to the following institution's RPL policy.
  • Formal prior learning: Learners with formal qualifications will also be allowed admission to the institution through RPL. The learners' prior learning at higher institutions in the relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing modules, will be considered.

    Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
  • The learner must submit a written motivation of not more than two pages requesting recognition and admission as per the institutional policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Economics, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 8, 90 Credits:
  • Advanced Microeconomics 1, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Macroeconomics 2, 15 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 15 Credits.
  • Time Series Econometrics, 15 Credits.
  • Research Project, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 8, 30 Credits: Choose Two Modules.
  • Agricultural Development Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced International Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Labour Economics, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop the applied competence in the acquisition, analysis, interpretation and application of economic principles and methods.
    2. Conduct research in economic, development and related areas.
    3. Apply theories and models for economic analysis.
    4. Apply statistical analysis in economics in both core disciplines (micro and macroeconomics). 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Reflect on the economic applications to assess the effect thereof in the context of economics as a social science.
  • Evaluate current micro and macro-economic policies, theories and analytical methods of knowledge production and economic modelling.
  • Demonstrate the skills of operationalising the link between the classroom teaching and real-world problem.
  • Implement the strategies for the processing and management of information and purposes of review and insight.
  • Utilise the statistical and mathematical techniques to verify or disprove economic theories.
  • Analyse the impact of policies and events on a household, firms, government and or the economy.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will be assessed through formative and summative procedures in both coursework modules and the mini-dissertation.

    Research Paper/Project Assessment:
    Successful learners for the qualification, in addition to being examined in different subjects in the coursework are also required to write a mini dissertation. In this mini-dissertation, the learner will identify a suitable research topic and explore it independently, demonstrating its relevance to either the advancement of academic knowledge or to the resolution of a problem in an area of practical concern. The mini dissertation entails a piece of supervised research work. This mini-dissertation will be published in an academic journal.
  • Formatively, the dissertation will be presented in seminars (both Departmental and Faculty level) for approval of topics and also in local and national conferences.
  • Summative, the project will be sent to one external supervisor for marking and grading.

    Coursework/module Assessment:
    Formatively, there will be three or more compulsory semester tasks completed which will count towards the semester mark. Depending on the nature of the modules, the tasks may include one written test, submission of an assignment and a class presentation. Only the best 2 out of 3 or more tasks will be recognised in consideration for the learner's semester mark.

    Summatively, the coursework examination mark will contribute 60% towards the final mark. The final mark is obtained by adding the examination mark and semester mark and dividing the figure by two.

    Each module requires the submission of written assignments, one or two class tests during the semester plus a formal class presentation followed by a three-hour examination at the end of the semester, subject to the institution's normal rules for postgraduate module examinations. The treatise will entail a mini-dissertation which requires integration of the theoretical knowledge and skills embodied in the selected modules with the research work. The dissertation is reviewed by external examination following the institution's Postgraduate policy. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In the case of postgraduate qualification, it is abroad that the qualification is referred to as Graduate Programme in Economics (Princeton University). However, the content is the same except where area of specialisation differ; since institutions have different combinations of courses.Further, a mini-dissertation (Research Project), Advanced Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics are main (notable) common courses. Which means that regardless the area of specialisation, those three modules must form part of the curriculum.

    Justification for the choice of the above mentioned local institutions is the diversity they allow; with two regarded as previously advantaged while some are moderately advantaged. Further, international exposure and recognition were also contributing factors. In the case of international universities, they were chosen due to international relations and levels of development of their countries with some from developed countries (London School of Economics and Princeton) and some from developing (Karachi) and their respective countries. In a nutshell, the above therefore means our qualification compares well with other similar qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Economics, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics, NQF Level 9.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8.
  • Appropriate Bachelor's honours Degree, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.