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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91878  Advanced 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
Advanced Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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 extend learners' knowledge and understanding of current economic issues relating to South African and global economies. It will give learners an in-depth understanding of how markets are structured and why they can fail.

The contexts of this qualification are complex and challenging, particularly in terms of the application of economic concepts and theories to current economic situations. Undertaking this Qualification will require a more sophisticated level of numeracy and communication skills as learners are required to interpret complex economic statistics and graphs, consider alternative economic viewpoints and present logical and reasoned arguments relating to current economic issues.

Development of research and investigative skills is a key focus of this Qualification and this encourages learners to think independently and use their initiative, but also provides opportunities for working as a team. The Qualification will strengthen learners' understanding of economic models, issues, policies and opinions, and will develop their decision making skills by enabling them to evaluate and/or justify any economic actions taken. This Advanced Diploma in Economics is therefore instrumental in developing learners' higher-order thinking skills. It provides an in-depth knowledge and understanding of concepts that underpin economic decisions made by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations.

Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma in Economics will 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.

Studying economics will enable learners to 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 investigative 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 for successful lifelong learning and in the world of work.

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 
  • Competency in Economics and Mathematics equivalent to NQF Level 6.
  • The ability to take responsibility for own learning.
  • Competency in communication skills in the language of study at NQF Level 6.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification can be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning experience. RPL takes place only where prior learning corresponds with the required NQF Level and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through RPL learners may gain access to the qualification, be given advanced status and be given credits.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Access to the Advanced Diploma in Economics is granted to all applicants who are in possession of one of the following:
  • A National Diploma in Economics.
    Or
  • A relevant Technical qualification with Economics as Major at NQF Level 6.
  • A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the National Diploma in Economics as determined by SAQA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises eight compulsory modules, each worth 15 Credits, with a combined total of 120 Credits, all at NQF Level 7.

    Modules:
  • Research Methodology.
  • Research Essay.
  • Intermediate Microeconomics.
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics.
  • Development Economics.
  • Public Economics.
  • Labour Economics.
  • International Economics. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge, a high level of intellectual independence and a systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the areas of specialisation in Economics.
    2. Conduct specific investigations in the areas of specialisation by applying a range of suitable methods in order to resolve problems and/or introduce change as well as producing and communicating professional and occupational ideas and creative insights effectively, appropriate to context in a variety of modes to a range of audiences.
    3. Take decisions and act ethically, responsibly and professionally within a supported environment.

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
    1.1 Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of the economic discipline, its principles, concepts and related practices applied to the subfields of the specialisation in a market-oriented economy.
    1.2 Identify and solve problems related to the fields of specialisation thereby demonstrating an integrated knowledge, a high level of intellectual independence and a systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the areas of specialisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    2.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of research and research methodology.
    2.2 Select and apply appropriate research methods effectively by undertaking a research project in one or more of the areas of specialisation.
    2.3 Present and communicate the research findings in genre-appropriate discourse.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 3:
    3.1 Demonstrate responsible, professional and ethical behaviour in all actions related to the economic environment/workplace.
    3.2 Demonstrate responsible and professional decision-making by analysing, evaluating and resolving dilemmas ethically in a context-specific and supported environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    During the semester the focus of assessment activities in each module will be diagnostic and formative. These assessments will take the form of class discussions, presentations by students, short critical essays and debates based on learning materials presented during lectures and assigned readings from prescribed texts and supplementary materials. The key categories of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, integration and evaluation will be covered through problem-solving and real-world applications.

    In the two semester tests and in the final semester examinations the focus of the assessment will be on the demonstration of the stated learning outcomes, including familiarity with and level-appropriate integration of, fundamental concepts, principles and their applications in appropriate contexts. 

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

    The Carey Business School of Johns Hopkins University, United States of America, offers Dual Diplomas in Economics and Finance, which comprise the following modules and which can be pursued simultaneously:

    Modules in Applied Economics:
  • Microeconomic Theory and Policy.
  • Statistics.
  • Macro Econometrics.
  • Financial Economics.
  • Applied Economics I.

    Modules in Financial Management:
  • Accounting and Financial Reporting.
  • Finance and Capital Markets.
  • Investments.
  • Mergers and Acquisitions.
  • Corporate Governance.
  • Carey Finance Elective I.
  • Carey Finance Elective II.

    The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, offers a Diploma in Economics; comprising the following modules:
  • Macroeconomics.
  • Microeconomics.
  • Econometrics.

    Conclusion:
    The advanced Diploma in Economics is comparable to the two qualifications cited above in terms of both content and standard. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with any Bachelor's Degree in Economics, at NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This Qualification articulates vertically with any Postgraduate Diploma in Economics at NQF Level 8. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internally there is peer review and moderation of semester tests and other assessment instruments. All assessment evidences are subject to internal review by colleagues with expertise in the relevant learning areas.
  • External examiners are appointed for Exit Level Examinations.
  • All final assessment instruments are presented to the external moderator for approval and verification. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at least one NQF Level higher than that of the qualification being assessed and have had experience in higher education teaching. 

    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.