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: 

Master of Arts in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90628  Master of Arts in Economics 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of this qualification is to provide further depth of knowledge and appropriate research skills beyond an Honours Degree: Economics that will enable learners to operate professionally and competently as economists in the subfields of Financial Markets and/or Economic Impact Assessment and/or Econometrics.

This qualification provides a unique platform for advanced postgraduate research and training in the fields of Financial Markets, Economic Impact Assessment and Econometrics. It is especially designed to equip researchers to do field work, economic impact analyses and apply econometric techniques.

It is the underlying intention of the qualification to create, in each individual, an awareness of the significance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities in accordance with a personal code of conduct that is also applicable to the field of economic analyses.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities fully.
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

    Rationale:
    The aim of the Master of Arts: Economics is to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to analyse and evaluate complex and interrelated economic issues. This Qualification encourages learners to become more open and independently minded individuals capable of applying their economic skills to everyday life situations.

    In addition, the proposed Degree aims at giving learners the opportunity to deepen their theoretical base and to demonstrate their skill levels and research capabilities and become better informed and more responsible citizens, consumers and producers by allowing them to develop a critical awareness of how underpinning economic concepts and theories affect our daily life.

    Learners' horizons will be expanded as they will be challenged to look at local, national and global economic issues in new ways. This will enable them to become more confident and successful in their ability to understand and offer resolutions to economic situations, thereby allowing them to become more effective contributors to society.

    The research and higher-order thinking skills developed throughout this qualification will give learners opportunities to contribute to team working and to working more independently. This will develop attributes such as taking responsibility and ownership, self-motivation, using initiative and communication and interpersonal skills, all of which are important in the world of work and for successful lifelong learning.

    The qualification covers a broad area of learning that allows for further progression and depth of study at a later stage, as well as allowing learning to develop in a challenging and enjoyable way. Understanding the key concepts and theories of economics and applying them in current economic contexts ensures that its relevance to learners is far-reaching. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The applicant should have the following competencies at NQF Level 8:
  • Research, reading and writing skills.
  • Basic knowledge of research ethics.
  • Knowledge of the discipline in the field of Economics research.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL, provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. Such applicants may be required to broaden their knowledge base by enrolling for identified preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission. The process will be implemented in strict adherence with the relevant institutional RPL Policy.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Access to the Master of Arts: Economics is granted to all applicants who are in possession of:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree: Economics or its equivalent at NQF Level 8 with an aggregate pass of at least 60%.
  • A Foreign qualification that is equivalent to the above qualification as determined by SAQA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following modules at NQF Level 9:

    Core Modules:
  • Research Treatise 1, 100 Credits.
  • Advanced Microeconomics 1, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules (choose three):
  • Advanced Econometrics 1, 20 Credits.
  • Economic Impact Assessment 1, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Financial Markets 1, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Macroeconomics 1, 20 Credits.

    Total Credits at NQF Level 9 = 180. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge, insight and understanding of the principles, practices and procedures prevalent in the field of Economics.
    2. Critically analyse the theories, techniques and procedures relevant to the field of Economics, and with particular reference to Financial Markets, Economic Impact Assessment and Econometrics.
    3. Apply the theoretical principles, techniques and procedures acquired in these fields, in a professionally competent manner.
    4. Undertake independent research and present research findings in a form that can be disseminated effectively to users.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All trhe Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge of the field of Economics and the ability to evaluate and critique the most prevalent theories in the discipline, their fundamental concepts, principles and use.
  • Describe clearly the processes and procedures related to the discipline and demonstrate insight into their interactions.
  • Show an appreciation of the political dynamics that exist in the context of economic and financial development in the public and private sectors.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate an ability to evaluate current processes and methods of knowledge production.
  • Demonstrate a capacity to relate theory to practice.
  • Implement relevant analysis strategies.
  • Demonstrate an ability to design and implement strategies for the processing and management of information for purposes of review and insight.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify, develop and apply techniques and procedures that reflect combined efforts to address issues that arise in the identified fields.
  • Identify, describe and apply the theoretical principles, techniques and procedures relevant to Economics and its selected subfields, in a professionally competent manner.
  • Respond appropriately to problems that arise by identifying, analysing and resolving situations created by external and internal forces that impact on the work environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Collect, produce and communicate information retrieved from resources of academic and professional discourses generated in the field of economics and finance to a range of audiences.
  • Defend ideas that are the outcomes of research in the field of economics.
  • Address application of specialised skills to make interventions and the unintended consequences.
  • Lead, initiate processes, implement systems and work independently while managing resources and taking full responsibility for the outcomes of these endeavours.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Each module requires the submission of two written assignments 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 research project which requires integration of the theoretical knowledge and skills embodied in the selected modules with the research effort. The treatise is externally examined in accordance with the applicable institutional rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

    Boston University, Mass., United States of America (USA):
    Boston University offers a two semester Master of Arts programme comprising core modules in quantitative methods, micro and macro economics, plus elective courses in the economics of development, energy, environment, finance, health, labour, international trade and finance, legal issues, money, and fiscal policy. This short, but rigorous, programme provides candidates with the skills necessary either to succeed in today's competitive job market or to continue with further graduate studies in economics, management or related disciplines.

    Modules:
  • Microeconomic Theory.
  • Macroeconomic Theory.
  • Elementary Mathematical Economics.
  • Statistics for Economists.
  • Econometrics.
  • Game Theory.
  • The Economics of Information.
  • Economic Models of Social Learning and Coordination.
  • Development Strategy.
  • Market Structure and Industrial Organisation.
  • Organisational Economics.
  • Topics in Monetary Theory and Macroeconomics.
  • Money and Financial Intermediation.
  • Financial Economics.
  • Economics of Labour Markets.
  • Public Economics I.
  • Race and the Development of the American Economy: A Global Perspective.
  • Economic Institutions in Historical Perspective.
  • Public Finance Policy Issues.
  • Energy and Environmental Economics.
  • Public Control of Business.
  • Health Economics I.
  • International Trade.
  • International Finance.

    The American University in Washington, DC, USA:
    The Department of Economics offers a Master's programme with four distinctive tracks, a faculty that combines high quality teaching and an interest in economic policy with serious scholarship, and the special rewards of studying economics in Washington, D.C.

    Modules:
  • Macroeconomics.
  • The Global Majority.
  • Microeconomics.
  • Intermediate Microeconomics.
  • Intermediate Macroeconomic.
  • Political Economy.
  • Economic History.
  • History of Economic Ideas.
  • Introduction to Econometrics.
  • Social Choice and Economic Justice.
  • Money, Banking and Finance in the Global Economy.
  • Public Economics.
  • Introduction to Game Theory.
  • Competition, Regulation and Business Strategies.
  • Comparative Economic Systems.
  • Economic Transformation of Central/Eastern Europe.

    Conclusion:
    There is a great deal of similarity in the learning content of these qualifications and the Masters of Arts in Economics and this implies that the qualification is internationally comparable. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Candidates can articulate vertically to a Doctor's Degree: Economics.

    Horizontal articulation qualification is possible with any relavant Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • All papers set by an internal examiner are peer reviewed as a first line of moderation.
  • The institution's assessment and moderation policy demands that an external moderator and examiner be appointed for each exit level and postgraduate module. In the case of a post-graduate treatise the appointment of an external examiner is likewise required. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors must be qualified at least one level higher than the module level they assess. This institution accredits lecturers as assessors and takes responsibility for training as assessors and moderators which can, for example, be done formally via the Postgraduate Certificate: Higher Education, or via INSET workshops offered by the Centre for Teaching Learning and Media (CTLM) on a regular basis as required. 

    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: 
     
    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.