SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117907	Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics
ORIGINATOR
University of Mpumalanga
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	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2020-11-20	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics is to provide learners with advanced academic knowledge, higher thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills in the field of economics generally and in particular development economics, international economics, financial economics and financial markets. This qualification will allow qualified learners to deepen their expertise in various aspects of economics; to further develop their knowledge and skills in research methodology and techniques of Economics; and will prepare learners for research-based postgraduate studies through conducting and reporting economics research under supervision. This qualification provides a high level of engagement with the economics concepts and theories and focuses on the development of intellectual independence of the scholars.

The qualification will achieve this through a carefully crafted plan of study designed to equip learners to take up space in society as members of an economic community, in defining, identifying, investigating, examining and working out solutions to economic problems as well as empowering learners to assume leadership roles where necessary. On the background of the 4IR and within the context of a dynamically changing inter and multi-disciplinary socio-economic and political environment, this qualification acknowledges these complexities and therefore seeks to promote learners to respond flexibly and to adapt their skills and knowledge in new situations. One of the intended outcomes of this qualification is to capacitate qualified learners to reimagine, rethink and reshape conventional economic thinking to address the new challenges of digitised markets.

Rationale:
In the South African context, the socio-economic challenges of our current times include high levels of poverty and inequality, youth unemployment, lack of foreign direct investment, poor governance, political uncertainty, social unrest, misalignment of economic policies and subdued economic growth prospects. This qualification is designed to supply the industry with qualified learners that have a deep practical understanding and application of economics thereby supporting the provincial growth and development strategy including solid knowledge of international synergies. It is envisaged that the resultant skills developed by the qualification will be applied to develop our key economic sectors to be better drivers of economic activity in South Africa and beyond.

The qualification is also designed to equip qualifying learners with advanced economics skills that will enable them to address contemporary and complex socio-political and economic challenges. The curriculum for this qualification has been developed after a needs analysis and benchmarking exercise with reputable Universities including internal and external consultation with various stakeholders.

The qualification will benefit the learner in many ways, not least by preparing them with cutting edge knowledge and analytical skills so that they may play a critical leadership role in the future development of economics. Economics is a cornerstone of all enterprises from the smallest to the largest, and equipping economics learners with cutting edge knowledge and skills will benefit society and the economy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied in line with the institution's policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT). This policy is aligned with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (Amended March 2019).

RPL is the process through which informal learning is measured, evaluated and translated into perceived formal equivalents for recognition across different contexts. The goal of RPL is the facilitation of alternative access and admission to higher education, or progression within a qualification. Both RPL for access and RPL for credit are applicable to this qualification.
RPL for access will be used to provide alternative route/s into the qualification.

The RPL process is described and summarised as follows:

Learners wishing to be considered for admission via RPL complete an application form, which is submitted to the Registrar's Office where the application is recorded.

The recommendation, to admit or not to admit is considered by the Faculty Management Committee and their recommendation is reported to the Executive Committee of Senate and Senate who make the final decision. In order to expedite this process, the Chair of Senate is empowered to make a decision on behalf of Senate.

The decision of Senate is reported to the Registrar who informs the applicant.

RPL for credits and advanced standing is described and a summarised as follows:

Applications for CAT are submitted to the Registrar's Office on a standard application form.

Supporting documents include the official academic transcript; a detailed description of each module is to be considered for CAT, including the NQF level and number of credits, the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

The application is submitted to the Dean who will discuss it with the Head of School and make a recommendation to the Executive Committee of Senate and Senate.

The decision of Senate, or the Vice-Chancellor who is Chair of Senate, on behalf of Senate, is conveyed to the Registrar who will inform the learner.

Credit accumulation and transfer, and particularly the proportion of credits that can be transferred, is applied in accordance with the national policy.

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

A Bachelor of Commerce or other first degrees in Economics at NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, totalling 90 Credits:

Advanced Macroeconomics, 15 Credits.

Econometrics, 15 Credits.

Advanced Microeconomics, 15 Credits.

Research Methodology, 15 Credits.

Research Report, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Choose/Select two):

Mathematical Economics, 15 Credits.

Development Economics, 15 Credits.

International Economics, 15 Credits.

International Finance, 15 Credits.

Financial Economics, 15 Credits.

History of Economic Thought, 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and an understanding of conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches to economics that are founded upon, extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding associated with the learners' undergraduate training.
2. Use the acquired knowledge and understanding as a basis for original and critical development and application of ideas to constructively and knowledgeably contribute to knowledge development in economics.
3. Assess, evaluate and integrate knowledge to propose solutions to specific economic problems in the South African context.
4. Manage complex problems, integrate alternative ideas and apply knowledge from economics.
5. Demonstrate the ability to formulate judgements that take full cognisance of the data available and the context.
6. Undertake independent research in the field of economics.
7. Communicate effectively to audiences using appropriate language and technology.
8. Demonstrate the ability to manage own work and work in groups and share leadership roles.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

An understanding of the theories, principles, procedures and practices, research methodologies, methods and techniques in economics is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Produce original and critical interpretations of theories, practices and case studies in economics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply knowledge of the concepts, principles, practices and theories of economics, in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply knowledge and understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or relatively unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to economics and have the ability to handle complexity, integrate different knowledge perspectives and interests and accommodate multiple views of reality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Formulate judgements with incomplete or limited information, which include a reflection on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge as well as judgements in the economic context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Identification of appropriate methods, including statistical methods, where a range of methods are considered and the appropriate ones are chosen, is demonstrated in the research report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Share their conclusions and views and the knowledge and rationale underpinning various economic topics, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, clearly and unambiguously.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Work efficiently and effectively as an individual and as a member of a team on an economics project, and take responsibility for own work, use of resources and providing leadership and support when appropriate.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of learner learning in the Honours Degree has been standardised as far as is possible within the theory modules and is both formative and summative.

For formative assessment, learners will be provided with four assignments per module and the feedback will be used by the learners to improve their learning.

For the summative assessment, the extent to which learners have achieved the outcomes will be assessed at the end of each module in a single formal examination.

In the Research Project module, assessment is again formative and summative. The formative assessment takes the form of four assignments and the summative assessment is the written project report.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In Egypt, Cairo University offers a Bachelor of Science in Economics qualification which includes a research methods module as preparation for undertaking an honours dissertation. The qualification builds on their undergraduate qualification with modules such as Microeconomics. Macroeconomics, and analytical modules such as Statistics, Mathematics and Econometrics.

At Makerere University in Uganda, the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Economics builds from the undergraduate level in the form of a three year Bachelor of Arts in Economics qualification. Modules that are comparable to the institution's qualification are offered during the final year. These include Research Paper, Econometrics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, International Finance, International Economics, and Development Economics. A Research Methodology module is offered in the second year.

The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia offers a one year, full-time Bachelor of Economics Honours (BEcon (Hons)) which has several intersections with the qualification at the institution. In comparison to the compulsory and elective structure of the BEcon (Hons) from UQ, the "Honours Thesis" which is equivalent to the Research Report in the institution's qualification is assigned the highest credit valuation (ECTS). All the compulsory modules in the Bachelor of Economics namely, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Advancement Econometrics and Honours Report are also included in the institution's qualification. Among their elective modules, economic development is comparable to development economics.

In the United Kingdom (UK), the University of Kent offers a 3 year Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Economics as opposed to a 4-year qualification in South Africa. However, in terms of comparability, the UK stage 1 and stage 2 curricula are equivalent to the institution's qualification. It includes overlapping compulsory and elective modules. Under compulsory modules, the modules are Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Introduction to Econometrics. Optional modules include Mathematical Economics, Development Economics, International Finance, and Economics Dissertation.

The Bachelor of Arts Honours Economics offered at the University of Waterloo in Canada is comparable to the institution's qualification and is comparable in the sense that it offers a good number of similar compulsory and elective modules. The qualification builds on an undergraduate qualification and adds a research project called "Senior Honours Essay" which is equivalent to the Research Report in the institution. In this particular module, learners are also required to identify a research topic, conduct research independently and write a research paper.

In summary, the majority of institutions and qualification that were compared include compulsory modules, electives, research methods module and a research project component. While the range of modules offered by these institutions is informed by their location and context, there were many similarities with those at the institution.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce in Developmental Economics, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Commerce in Development Economics, NQF Level 9.

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.

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