Top 10 Economics Courses In South Africa

In South Africa, there are several universities that offer Economics courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In this article, we will see examples of some top institutions and their Economics programs, along with typical entry requirements.

Economics Courses In South Africa

1. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with Economics Major

At: University of Cape Town
- Requirements:
  - Mathematics: Minimum of 70%
  - English: Minimum of 60%
  - National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent
  - Points System: Admission is typically based on the Faculty Points Score (FPS), which considers the aggregate NSC marks.
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce (MCom) in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Relevant Honours degree in Economics or a related field with a minimum of 65% average
  - Proof of research capability through an Honours research paper or equivalent

2. Bachelor of Economic Science (BEconSci)

At: University of the Witwatersrand
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 5 or higher (minimum 60%)
  - English at Level 5 (minimum 60%)
  - APS (Admission Points Score): Typically, a minimum of 36-39 points.
Postgraduate: Master of Economic Science
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics or closely related field with a minimum 65% average
  - Some programs may require specific courses in advanced econometrics or macroeconomics.

3. Bachelor of Commerce (Economics)

At: University of Pretoria
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 6 (minimum 70%)
  - English at Level 5 (minimum 60%)
  - APS of at least 30
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce (Economics)
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics
  - Minimum average of 65% in relevant subjects

4. Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

At: Stellenbosch University
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 6 or 7 (at least 70%)
  - APS: Minimum of 36 points
  - English proficiency
Postgraduate: MCom in Economics or MPhil in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics with a minimum of 65%
  - Research experience is beneficial

5. Bachelor of Business Science (Economics)

At: University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 6 (minimum 70%)
  - APS of 30-33 points
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Honours in Economics or equivalent qualification
  - Minimum 60-65% average at Honours level

6. Master of Commerce (Economics)

At: Rhodes University
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics or related fields with a minimum of 65%
  - May require a research proposal and interviews in some cases

7. Bachelor of Commerce (Economics)

At: University of Johannesburg)
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 5 (60% or higher)
  - English at Level 5 (60% or higher)
  - APS: Minimum of 28-34 depending on the specific program
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics or a related field
  - Minimum of 65% in Honours

8. Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

At: Northwest University
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 5 (minimum 60%)
  - English at Level 5 (minimum 60%)
  - APS: Minimum of 24 points
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce (MCom) in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics
  - Average mark of 65% or higher

9. Bachelor of Commerce (Economics)

At: University of the Western Cape
- Requirements:
  - NSC with Mathematics at Level 5 (minimum 60%)
  - English at Level 4 (minimum 50%)
  - APS: Typically 30 or more
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce (Economics)
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics
  - Minimum 65% average in the Honours program

10. Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

At: University of South Africa
- Requirements:
  - NSC or equivalent with Mathematics and English
  - APS score depending on program: generally around 21-30 points
Postgraduate: Master of Commerce in Economics
- Requirements:
  - Honours degree in Economics or related field
  - Proof of research competence (e.g., a research report)
  - Some coursework or thesis-based programs may have different entry requirements.

General Notes on Economics Courses in South Africa

Undergraduate Courses: Typically last 3-4 years and often require strong performance in Mathematics and English.
Postgraduate Courses: A Bachelor’s Honours degree (or equivalent) in Economics is required for entry into Master’s programs. Certain institutions might also require work experience, particularly for coursework-based Master’s programs.

Be sure to check each university’s specific admission guidelines, as these may change slightly from year to year.

Additional Notes for Postgraduate Programs:

Research Focus: Many Master’s programs in Economics involve a substantial research component, such as a thesis or dissertation.
Work Experience: While most programs do not explicitly require work experience for admission into postgraduate Economics programs, it may strengthen your application, particularly for competitive or specialized fields.
English Proficiency: If you are an international student, you may need to demonstrate English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL.

Specialized Economics Courses:

In addition to general Economics degrees, many universities also offer specialized programs in fields like:

Development Economics
Environmental Economics
Econometrics
International Trade
Financial Economics

These specialized programs may have slightly different entry requirements, and often cater to students interested in a specific aspect of Economics.

Be sure to check the individual university websites or contact their admissions offices to confirm current requirements, as entry standards and the APS score required can vary based on the competition and specific program offerings.

Fees Of Economics Courses In South Africa

Economics course fees in South Africa vary depending on the university and the level of study.

For undergraduate programs in economics (typically a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Arts in Economics), fees range as follows:

University of Cape Town (UCT): Around R66,000 to R98,000 per year
University of Witwatersrand (Wits): Approximately R43,000 to R78,000 per year
University of Pretoria: Between R41,000 and R73,000 annually
University of Johannesburg (UJ): Roughly R49,000 to R74,000 per year

These estimates cover only tuition fees and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, and other living expenses. Be sure to check each university’s official website for the most up-to-date fee structures.

Career Opportunities Of Economics In South Africa

Economics graduates in South Africa have a variety of career opportunities available to them. Some of the key areas include:

Financial Sector: Roles in banking, investment, and financial analysis.
Public Sector: Economic policy analysis and government advisory positions.
Consulting: Providing insights and recommendations to businesses and organizations.
Academia and Research: Teaching and conducting research at universities and research institutions.
International Organizations: Working with entities like the UN, World Bank, and IMF.
Private Sector: Business analysis, market research, and strategic planning.

Economic expertise is valued across various sectors, so graduates have a broad range of industries and roles to choose from.

Conclusion

In addition to traditional classroom instruction, South African economics courses frequently emphasize the importance of policy analysis and economic development. This focus is particularly relevant in a country that faces diverse economic challenges, including inequality and unemployment. By engaging with real-world case studies and participating in policy debates, students gain valuable insights into how economic principles can be applied to address complex issues.