Bachelor of Business Science in Economics

• Preparation for taking up a career as a professional economist.
• Work in posts requiring sound knowledge of economic fundamentals.
• Work in posts requiring sound knowledge of the South African economy.
• Work in posts requiring analysis of economic trends and principles in a business context.
• Preparation for taking masters qualification.
• Develop a strategy for learning.
• Identify and solve problems.
• Collect, analyse and critically evaluate data and information.
• Assist analysis and data strategically in a business context.
• Work with others effectively.
• Organise his/her own time and that of others.
• Use science and technology to collect data and process within the ethical norms for academic research.
• Communicate effectively using the full range of available technologies in both written and oral form.
• Develop sound understanding of the economic challenges facing South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

• Identify and solveproblems, in particular, identifying and specifying the economic context.
• Think logically and creatively.
• understand concepts, theories and principles.
• Access and analyse economic data and information.
• Apply economic data and information strategically in a business context.
• Utilise appropriate quantitative skills at a basic level in conjunction with critical reasoning to analyse, interpret and evaluate data and information.
• Research and presentation skills.
• Case study skills in a business environment.
• Independence, self-motivation and self-reliance.
• Learn; in particular, the ability to understand, critically evaluate and build on the contributions of others in the chosen field.
• Develop and apply appropriate theory to real-world economic problems in a critical and creative fashion, showing an awareness of the necessary assumptions and the limits they impose on the conclusions reached.
• Communicate skills using a variety of techniques/methodologies.
• An awareness of technology, its applications and limitations.
• An understanding of the basic structure of any economy, with particular relevance to the South African case and its place within the world context.
• An understanding of critical issues in the South African economy (including the ethical and moral questions), and of the policy options available, as well as an awareness of the contribution that they, as economists, can make.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Teamwork skills.
• Networking skills.

Examination: To test the learner's ability

• To understand concepts, theories and principles.
• To use critical reasoning in general in a logical and creative way.
• To apply critical reasoning to the solution of problems.
• To apply appropriate quantitative skills in the solution of problems.

Class presentations: To test the learner's ability

• To communicate effectively.
• To utilise appropriate techniques/methodologies for the effective presentation of an argument.
• To analyse problems/situations in the literature critically and present the results.
• To interact with peers and work as the member of a team, where appropriate

Assignments: To test the learner's ability

• To access, synthesise, analyse and interpret data and information.
• To think creatively and utilise critical reasoning to place data and information in context.
• To use appropriate quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.
• To interact with peers and work as the member of a team, where appropriate.

Case study work in a business/management context

• To apply theory critically to real-world business problems.
• To apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative skills to the analysis and evaluation of data.
• To draw out of relevant conceptual and quantitative material a set of appropriate recommendations for managers.
• To assess analytical results critically, and recognise the limits of the analysis.

Integrated Assessment

The institution is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

Continuous assessment: Class presentations, participation in class discussions and assignments for each module.

Final assessment: An examination for each module.

Dissertation: A research project, which will usually include an empirical research component. The dissertation is the principal vehicle for ensuring that the material learnt in each module is integrated into the study of a real-world problem.