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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Commerce in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90695  Master of Commerce 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
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to provide further depth knowledge and appropriate research skills that build on those of an Honours degree in Commerce or Economics that would enable students to operate professionally and competently as Economists in the Sub-Fields of Financial Markets and/or Economic Impact Assessment and/or Econometrics.

The degree thus aims at giving students the opportunity to deepen their theoretical base and to demonstrate their skills and research capabilities.

Rationale:
The Master of Commerce qualification draws on the breadth of research and teaching expertise to assist learners to develop the advanced skills and knowledge required for a high-level position in industry, commerce or government.

The qualification also provides the opportunity to specialise in an area of business. It also provides the learner the opportunity to develop a breadth of knowledge across selected areas such as Accounting, Business Information Management, Marketing, Economics, Electronic Business, Employment Relations, Finance, Human Resource Management and Management and International Business.

Furthermore, this qualification provides learners with the skills necessary to succeed in today's competitive job market and/or to continue with further graduate studies in Economics, Management or related disciplines. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Research, reading and writing skills.
  • Basic knowledge of research ethics.
  • Knowledge of the discipline of Commerce in 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 admission provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted.
    The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant NMMU RPL Policy.

    Access to Qualification:
    Access to the Master of Commerce in Economics is granted to applicants who are in possession of a:
  • BCom Honours degree in Economics or its equivalent at NQF level 8 with an aggregate pass of at least 60%.
  • Foreign qualification that is equivalent to the above qualifications as determined by SAQA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following modules at NQF level 9 totalling 180 credits:

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Research Treatise ECO 501 1, 100 credits.
  • Advanced Micro-economics ECO 506 1, 20 credits.

    Elective Modules:
    Learners must select three of the modules listed below each worth 20 credits:
  • Advanced Econometrics ECO 502 1.
  • Economic Impact Assessment ECO 503 1.
  • Advanced Financial Markets ECO 504 1.
  • Advanced Macroeconomics ECO 505 1. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge, insight and understanding of the principles, practices and procedures prevalent in the field of Economics.
    2. Analyse critically the theories, techniques and procedures relevant to the field of Economics, with particular reference to Financial Markets, Economic Impact Assessment and Econometrics.
    3. Apply the theoretical principles, techniques and procedures acquired in the discipline 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 the Critical Cross- Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification. 

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

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Evaluate current processes and methods of knowledge production.
  • Relate theory to practice.
  • Implement relevant analysis strategies.
  • Design and implement strategies for the processing and management of information for purposes of review and insight.

    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 sub-fields, 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.

    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 the application of specialised skills to make interventions and their unintended consequences.
  • Initiate and lead 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 university's normal rules for post-graduate 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 work. The treatise is externally examined in accordance with the applicable University rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered:
    University of Western Australia offers a Masters of Commerce for students who have not completed a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree, which consists of the following core modules:
  • Introductory Financial Accounting.
  • Economic Management and Strategy.
  • Data Analysis and Decision Making.
  • Ethical Dimensions of Organisations.
  • Management.

    Learners must choose a further three elective modules from a given list of specialisations.

    The University also offers The M Com (Advanced) which consists of 16 units and is for those students wishing to complete a second specialisation.

    University of Sydney offers a Master of Commerce:
    In order for students to be awarded the Master of Commerce, students must successfully complete a total of 12 units of study (72 credit points), comprising:
    Two Core Units of Study:
  • Critical Thinking in Business.
  • Succeeding in Business.
    Two to five Foundational Units of Study from the following options:
  • Foundational units from the University of Sydney Business School:
    > Accounting Principles.
    > Legal Environment of Business.
    > Capital Markets and Corporate Finance.
    > Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (or Strategy, Innovation and Global Business).
    > Global Business (or Strategy, Innovation and Global Business).
    > Project Management.
    > Marketing Principles.
    > Quantitative Methods for Business.
    > Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
    > Management and Organisations.
  • Foundational units from the School of Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
    > Principles of Econometrics.
    > Microeconomic Theory.

    A Commerce specialisation.
    An optional second specialisation (different to that chosen as a first specialisation).

    Conclusion:
    The Master of Commerce in Economics compares well with international offerings in the field of economics, based on the information gleaned from the sources above. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Candidates can articulate vertically to a Doctor's degree in Economics. Currently there is no horizontal qualification to which students can articulate. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All papers set by an internal examiner are peer reviewed as a first line of moderation.

    The University'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 hold a qualification at least one level higher than the level of the module they assess. 

    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 submitted for public comment, or 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.