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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Commerce in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
87446  Master of Commerce in Economics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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
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   2028-06-30  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
111426  Master of Commerce in Economics  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The Master of Commerce: 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 qualification will develop and empower learners to:
  • Apply the theoretical principles of problem identification to address the priority or key problems in Economics.
  • Apply a specialised theoretical and comprehensive content knowledge within the field of Economics.
  • Conduct a research project utilising advanced and appropriate methodology for the context and research questions in the fields of economic, business and financial management.
  • Evaluate, analyse and interpret information related to the application of research in the field of economics.

    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 
    Learners who register for this qualification must:
  • Have knowledge of Economics at NQF Level 8.
  • Be able to communicate knowledge of the discipline coherently and logically in the language of learning of the institution.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Learners may achieve this qualification in part or wholly through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning will be conducted in accordance with the Policy and Guidelines of the University of Fort Hare. The recognition is applicable where the learner has gained experience in formal, informal and non-formal learning. The applicant is expected to submit evidence to support the application.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Learners wishing to access the Master of Commerce: Economics must have successfully completed::
  • A recognised four-year Bachelor's Degree.
    OR
  • A recognised Honours Degree from a recognised University.
    OR
  • A similar qualification at the appropriate level on the NQF, and which, in the opinion of Senate, is equivalent to or higher than the examinations prescribed for an Honours Degree at the University.
    OR
  • A Bachelor's Degree and a recognised Postgraduate Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All Modules are at NQF Level 9.

    The following five Modules are compulsory, totalling 128 Credits:
  • Advanced Microeconomics, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.
  • Quantitative and Research Methods in Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Applied Econometrics, 16 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 64 Credits.

    Learners are to complete four of the following eight optional Modules, totalling 64 Credits:
  • Public Sector Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Monetary Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Transport Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Labour Economics, 16 Credits.
  • Development Economics, 16 Credits.
  • International Trade Theory, 16 Credits.
  • Investment and Portfolio Analysis, 16 Credits.
  • Corporate Finance, 16 Credits.

    Total: 192 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.

    2. Apply specialised theoretical and comprehensive content knowledge within the field of Economics.

    3. Conduct a research project utilising appropriate advanced methodology to research questions in the field of economic, business and financial management.

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply the theoretical principles in identifying problems in the field of economics.
  • Suggest solutions to the identified problems in the field of economics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply specialised theoretical and comprehensive knowledge within the field of economics.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 course work and the research components of the degree 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 University 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

    The following modules in those qualifications are similar to those in this qualification
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Development Economics
  • International trade

    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 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with any Master's Degree in Finance or other related field at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with any Doctoral Degree in Finance or other related field at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderators and assessors will be registered according to University policies on external examinations. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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 Fort Hare 


    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.