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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96795  Diploma 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
Diploma (Min 360)  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 06  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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:
Students who obtain this qualification will have a sound knowledge and understanding of issues regarding society's use of scarce resources towards the satisfaction of a multitude of often competing wants. They will thus be able to apply this knowledge to the specific economic problems that need to be solved by the participation of the state in a market economy, by the participation of the state and of the private sectors in matters pertaining to economic development, to international economic relations and to labour markets.

Rationale:
Economics is taught in junior and in high schools with the result that a substantial number of potential students leave school at Grade 12 with a fair understanding of and interest in the field of study of Economics. Not all these potential students, however, qualify for admission to the University's Degree programmes in Economics, yet show an interest in the subject they met during their school careers. Such potential students can qualify in a direction where they can be a sound research back-up to graduates in Economics employed as researchers in the private and the public sectors. Students who have qualified with the proposed Diploma will also find employment in the world of economic and financial journalism-a field which is not at the moment always served by properly qualified persons. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be obtained in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning according to the institution's policies and regulations for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Such Recognition of Prior Learning can be based on either prior knowledge or experience gained in the workplace. A structured RPL process where the candidate demonstrates his/her competence in terms of specific Exit Level Outcomes in terms of his/her prior knowledge or experience is recommended. Assessment of prior learning should be done on a case by case basis and the results of such assessments moderated externally. Generally, no more than 50% of the credits for this qualification can be earned through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 4 or equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning components; Number of Credits allocated; National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level:
  • Fundamentals; 70 Credits.
  • Core; 255 Credits.
  • Electives; 50 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Determine the influence of the micro and the macro environment on the public sector regarding public sector revenue and expenditure.
    2. Determine the influence of the micro and the macro environment on the international economic relations of the country and vice versa.
    3. Determine the influence of the micro and the macro environment on economic development in the country and vice versa.
    4. Determine the influence of the micro and the macro environment on the functioning of labour markets and vice versa.
    5. Support a description of the above influences by quantitative analyses.
    6. Communicate the above descriptive and quantitative analyses in ways that will be accessible to different audiences and readers. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome1:
  • Distinguish micro and macro factors that influence the public sector's ability to raise revenue by means of taxation.
  • Distinguish micro and macro factors that make a demand upon public sector expenditure.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Distinguish the domestic micro and macro factors that influence producers in the country in their ability to compete on international markets.
  • Distinguish the micro and macro factors in foreign countries that influence the ability of local producers to compete in international markets.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Distinguish the domestic micro and macro factors that determine the extent to which economic growth is converted into the economic development of domestic communities.
  • Distinguish the effect of economic development of one period upon the economic development of subsequent periods.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Distinguish the micro and macro factors that affect the functioning of the specific labour markets operating within specific sectors of the economy.
  • Distinguish the effect on labour markets of labour market institutions such as trade unions and employees' organisations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • List and describe the sources of micro-and of macroeconomic data on the South African economy and on the economies of the country's present and emerging trading partners.
  • Extract and explain relevant data for specific case studies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Present case studies in a verbal manner with the aid of a written text illustrated by statistical data and graphics.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Written examinations.
  • Tests, projects, case studies and assignments.
  • Presentations to class members and members of staff. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There is no similar qualification at another higher education institution in South Africa at the moment. An international search has not been done. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Degree. 
    		•

    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.
     
    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.