Major Combinations for the Bachelor of Arts (Generic), Bachelor of Commerce (General), and all other BA qualifications with a major in Economics
NQF Level 1: ECS1501
NQF Level 2: ECS1601, ECS2601, ECS2602, ECS2603. Choose any 2 modules if 1st major or 1 module if 2nd major of the following: ECS2604, ECS2605, ECS2606, ECS2608, ECS2609
NQF Level 3: ECS3705, ECS3706, ECS3708, ECS3709, ECS3711 (For students who intend on articulating to Honours in Economics)
OR
NQF Level 3: ECS3706 and ANY 4 of the following (for any other qualification): ECS3701, ECS3702, ECS3703, ECS3704, ECS3705, ECS3707, ECS3708, ECS3709, ECS3710, ECS3711
Intermediate Microeconomics - ECS2601 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1501 |
|
| Purpose: The module introduces students to neoclassical microeconomic theories of consumer and firm behaviour. Students will be able to explain the behaviour of consumers and firms and predict the performance of the economy by using concepts such the demand and supply and price sensitivity; consumer behaviour; production; and the operation of different market structures such as perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly. |
Applied Health Economics - ECS3710 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 |
|
| Purpose: This module introduces Health Economics, and provides opportunities for practical application and a criterion-based evaluation of health systems. Qualifying students can critically analyse the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of health systems in South Africa and elsewhere. Students can apply relevant health economics concepts and theories to solve complex problems around critical issues in the health sector, including basic competitive markets, the role of the government, sources of financing the health sector, healthcare information systems and information technology capabilities. Students can analyse the economic impact of health issues, interventions and policies and present evidence-based arguments in an ethical and responsible manner. |
Intermediate Macroeconomics - ECS2602 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to analyse the functioning of a macroeconomic system by focusing on the development of the students' understanding of different theories regarding the determination of output and income and the different assumptions which underlie the theoretical models, the interaction between the various macroeconomic variables, the different analytical tools, and the economic policy implications of stabilisation policies of each model to gain a comprehensive picture of how the economy works. |
Research Methods in Economics - ECS3711 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 & ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the competencies required to select, motivate, apply and integrate relevant research methods such as quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods to study complex problems in the field of Economics. |
South African Economic Indicators - ECS2603 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the meaning, calculation and interpretation of a wide range of economic indicators and to apply this understanding to recent South African economic data. These indicators include various national accounting and employment concepts, price indices, balance of payments statistics and social indicators." |
Advanced Macroeconomics - ECS4861 |
| Honours,Post Graduate Diploma |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS3701 |
|
| Purpose: Students will be able to critically compare and contrast different schools of thought in macroeconomics in terms
of both theory and policy. They will be able to explain the way in which the relevant authorities can use monetary
and fiscal policies to influence economic aggregates such as the level of national output, changes in national
output, income and employment, inflation and interest rates and the relationships between them. They will also
be able to explain the general determinants of economic growth in the long run and the constraints on growth in
South Africa more specifically. |
Labour Economics - ECS2604 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: To gain insight into the economic analysis of labour and the labour market with regard to the supply of and demand for labour, education and training of the labour force, unemployment, vacancies and the migration of labour, trade unionism and collective bargaining, discrimination in the labour market, and to apply this knowledge to the South African labour market. |
Advanced Microeconomics - ECS4862 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Students in this module will use mathematical tools like calculus to solve microeconomic problems related to market structures (perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly). They will use game theory to explain, solve real world problems and also demonstrate how decision-making is done in markets with asymmetric information. They will also measure the level of competition in any sector or industry using different techniques, explain and evaluate the effectiveness of the South African Competition policy in curbing anti-competitive practices in the country. |
South African Financial System - ECS2605 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: This module will equip students with a thorough knowledge of the financial system of South Africa and the way in which the different components operate and affect each other. Students will be able to describe, evaluate and advise on issues concerning the financial sector. This will provide them with the ability to be knowledgeable participants in the financial sector. |
Advanced Econometrics - ECS4863 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Recommendation: ECS3706 |
| Purpose: Qualifying students will be able to select, justify and apply statistical and modelling techniques to solve complex problems related to authentic economic scenarios by using integrated and specialised knowledge within the field of econometrics in general but with a specific focus on time-series and panel data econometrics.
|
Environmental Economics - ECS2606 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module will enable students to determine the relationship between the macro- and micro-economy, and the natural environment, evaluate frameworks for environmental decision-making and assess the formulation of different policy measures. |
Money, Banking and Financial Markets - ECS4864 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The overall purpose is that students demonstrate an advanced understanding of the world of banking and finance. For that purpose, students should be able to explain how that world historically developed, consider the way it impacts prices and output in the real economy, critically evaluate how central bank policies influence the real economy by manipulating bank behaviour, and explain how the authorities regulate and supervise banks and financial markets to reduce the frequency and severity of banking and financial crises. |
Economic History of the World - ECS2608 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: Students will be able to engage in a scholarly debate about the economic history of the world and apply specialised knowledge of key terms, concepts and theories in the field to identify, analyse and solve problems in unfamiliar and relevant contexts. Students will be able to develop solutions based on evidence, apply scientific procedure and present cogent arguments in which they can reconcile conflicting opinions and formulate a logical conclusion concerning economic history of world economics. |
Advanced International Economics - ECS4865 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Recommendation: ECS3702, ECS3703 |
| Purpose: Students will be able to thoroughly grasp, select and apply the main theoretical aspects of international trade and international monetary systems to explain the theory and principles of international economics. Students will be able to critically analyse the current policy debates on international trade and finance, as well as the economic implications of different monetary systems, in order to evaluate different problems and offer possible solutions to important international economic problems. In addittion, students will be equipped to analyse a comprehensive, up-to-date, and clear exposition of the theory and principles of international economics that are essential for understanding, evaluating, and suggesting solutions to the important international economic problems and issues facing the global economy today and the near future. |
Economic History of South Africa - ECS2609 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1601 |
|
| Purpose: Students will be able to engage in a scholarly debate about the economic history of South Africa and apply specialised knowledge of key terms, concepts and theories in the field to identify, analyse and solve problems in unfamiliar and relevant contexts. Students will be able to develop solutions based on evidence, apply scientific procedure and present cogent arguments. They will be able to reconcile conflicting opinions and formulate a logical conclusion concerning economic history of South Africa.
|
Advanced Public Economics - ECS4866 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module will enable students to critically discuss the complex reasons for the existence of a government in a market economy, and analyse its impact on efficiency and equity and the trade-off between efficiency and equity. |
Monetary Economics - ECS3701 |
| Diploma,Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: Qualifying students will be able to apply integrated knowledge of key concepts and issues in monetary economics to determine and critically explain the functioning of the South African economy. Students will be able to analyse the role of money, financial markets, interest rates and central banks to address complex problems in the South African economy from a theoretical perspective and will be able to apply the insights to real-life situations. |
Advanced Development Economics - ECS4867 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Qualifying students will be able to assess underdevelopment and economic stagnation in developing countries to identify underlying problems and challenges that confront these countries with the aim of formulating appropriate policies to deal with low standards of living; meagre income levels; education; health; migration; the informal sector; rural upliftment as well as agricultural and industrial growth initiatives. |
International Trade - ECS3702 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 |
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to analyse international trade with a specific focus on trade theories and trade policy issues and the motives and effects of international capital flows on output and welfare. Students will be able to describe, evaluate, and debate the validity of the different trade theories and trade policies to establish how they affect economic role players (consumers, producers and government) with respect to South Africa and the developing world. |
Research Report in Economics - HRECS83 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
|
Co-requisite: ECS4864 or ECS4865 or ECS4866 or ECS4867
|
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the competencies required to plan, execute and write an acceptable academic research paper in Economics. Students will be able to reason and debate in written format a specific economic topic, recognising existing international and national research on the topic and integrate appropriate research methodologies in Economics. |
International Finance - ECS3703 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: Successful students will be able to select and apply relevant concepts and theories to address complicated issues in the field of International Finance by identifying, analysing, evaluating and critically reflecting on complex problems and providing evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments related to fiscal and exchange rate policies and balance of payments. Successful students will be able to apply these theories to modern experiences of African and non-African countries. |
Public Economics - ECS3704 |
| Diploma,Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 |
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to analyse public finance issues and policy within the context of the South African economy and other developing countries. Students will be able to describe, evaluate and advise on the role of government, its expenditures and tax revenue sources as well as intergovernmental fiscal relations. |
History of Economic Thought - ECS3705 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 & ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: Students credited with this module will be able to critically evaluate how economic thinking has developed over the centuries with references to the main schools of thought including pre-classical, classical, neoclassical, socialist, institutionalist, historical, Keynesian and Chicago school of economics. Students will be able to evaluate current economic ideas and policy proposals in light of a historical awareness and with reference to Sub-Saharan African context. |
Introduction to Economics - ECS1500 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma,Higher Certificate |
Year module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Qualifying students will have an informed understanding of the economic problem of scarcity in societies and will be able to explain how this problem is addressed in various economic systems. Students will be able to explain the role and relationship between different economic participants and will be able to use graphs, equations, and tables to represent and illustrate relevant economic theory. Students will be able to use key concepts such as demand and supply analysis and elasticity to analyse microeconomic problems. Students will be able to broadly appraise the South African economy in terms of macroeconomic objectives and propose and analyse policy measures that can be used to attain such objectives. |
Econometrics - ECS3706 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601, ECS2602 & DSC1520 or QMI1500 or [STA1501 & STA1502]
|
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to use economic theory, mathematical and statistical tools to specify and estimate the coefficients of a regression equation in the most efficient way. The goal is to find the most accurate estimates of the coefficients of the regression equation, whatever the difficulties which arise. Students will explain the purpose and method of econometrics, be able to apply statistics with confidence, specify an equation with skill and consideration and deal purposefully with econometric problems. |
Development Economics - ECS3707 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 & ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: This module will enable students to analyse economic development issues and policy within the context of developing countries. The study of development economics contributes to intellectual leadership and analytical perceptions of complex macroeconomic and socio-economic challenges, faced by the developing world. Students will be able to describe, evaluate and advise on development challenges within a national and international context. |
Economics IA - ECS1501 |
| Diploma,Higher Certificate,Under Graduate Degree |
Year module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Students credited with this module will have a basic knowledge of microeconomic theory and will be able to apply, analyse and interpret basic microeconomic concepts and principles. The purpose of this module is to gain insight into the solving of the basic economic problem in different economic systems, how households and firms take decisions as well as how prices are determined under conditions of perfect and imperfect competition. |
Applied Microeconomics - ECS3708 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 |
|
| Purpose: Qualifying students in this module will be able to use mathematical tools such as calculus to solve complex microeconomic problems related to consumer and producer theories, market structures (perfect competition and monopoly). They will be able to analyze the market efficiency by using the general equilibrium approach. In addition, they will be able to demonstrate how decision making is done in markets with asymmetric information. |
Economics IB (Macroeconomics I) - ECS1601 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Year module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS1501 |
Co-requisite: ECS1501 |
| Purpose: This module introduces students to basic macroeconomic theory and variables which will enable students to explain the functioning of the economy as a whole and assess the performance of the economy. |
Applied Macroeconomics - ECS3709 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: ECS2601 & ECS2602 |
|
| Purpose: On completing this module, students will be able to evaluate the factors that determine a nation's standard of living and compare these standards between developed and developing economies. Students will understand how savings and investment (capital accumulation) impact economic growth. Furthermore, students will gain insight into the determinants of technological progress in a country and its influence on economic growth. Students will also analyse how changes in productivity, driven by technological progress, affect employment, economic growth, and wage inequality. Furthermore, students will evaluate the impact of institutional quality on economic growth in developed and developing economies. Finally, students will assess the economic growth path of the South African economy and evaluate the possible constraints on economic growth in this nation. |
