The School of Economics offers a one-year taught Masters in Economics programme. The objective of the Masters by coursework is to equip students with the theoretical and technical knowledge required to practise as a professional economist in the public and private sector. All courses, including the core theory courses, include theoretical and empirical applications to reflect the objectives of the degree.
Entrance requirements:
An average of at least 65% in an Honours degree in Economics.
Applicants may be required to undertake a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test.
Students who have completed equivalent courses at the Master level may apply for exemption, but not credits, from particular courses.
Recommendation of acceptance is at the discretion of the Graduate Committee.
Programme structure:
The Masters in Economics programme comprises four compulsory courses in the first semester, two elective courses in the second semester, and a compulsory research paper. The degree runs over 12 months. The programme comprises of 240 credits.
Compulsory courses:
Course Name
HEQF Credits
ECO5011F
Quantitative Methods for Economists
30
ECO5021F
Advanced Macroeconomics
30
ECO5020F
Advanced Microeconomics OR
30
ECO6007F
Microeconomics II
30
ECO5046F
Advanced Econometrics
30
Optional courses: Two courses to be chosen from (30 credits each)
ECO5050S International Finance
ECO5052S Natural Resource Economics
ECO5057S Labour Economics
ECO5062S Applied International Trade
ECO5064S Views of Institutional and Behavioural Economics
ECO5069S Applied Time Series Analysis
ECO5070S Microeconometrics
ECO5030S Applied Growth Theory
ECO5075S Macroeconomic Policy Analysis
ECO5074F Research & Policy Tools
ECO5073S Problems of Globalisation, Industrialisation and Development
ECO5077S Industrial Organisation
ECO5076S Development Microeconomics
ECO5003F Governance and Growth
Research component:
ECO5023W Minor Dissertation (60 credits) 60 - Total Credits 240
With the permission of the Graduate convener, students may be permitted to take one Masters course (level 5000) from another Department. Options may be added or withdrawn according to circumstances each year.
Assessment:
To qualify for the Master's degree, students must pass all courses including the research component to a value of 240 HEQF credits.
The research component is examined by way of a mini-dissertation (60 HEQF credits) which will be due early February in the year following the coursework.
Readmission rules:
Students who fail may repeat a maximum of two courses of the coursework component once provided that they have submitted the required dissertation within the time frame for submission. A compulsory course may be repeated only if the student scored at least 40% at the first attempt. If a student fails an elective they may substitute it with another elective.
There will be no supplementary examinations. Satisfactory progress for research as per the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)
Further programme specific administrative requirements:
In addition to completing the University application form, students applying from outside of UCT must also submit the course outlines of their highest level Economics courses as well as the names and contact details of two referees to the Graduate Administrator, School of Economics before 31 October. The programme begins in January.
