The program is designed to equip students with strong analytical research skills in economics through the use of econometric softwares such as Eviews, Stata, SPSS, R and provide solid insight on relevant economic analysis that relates to theory and policy implications to help boost the South African economy in particular and Africa in general.

The program is designed to equip students with strong analytical research skills in economics through the use of econometric softwares such as Eviews, Stata, SPSS, R and provide solid insight on relevant economic analysis that relates to theory and policy implications to help boost the South African economy in particular and Africa in general.

A student-centred technology-infused teaching & learning strategy that accommodates a diversity of students. These will include a range of teaching and learning styles that accommodate various skills, knowledge and abilities.

The overall assessment strategy in the curriculum and materials development stage of module development includes the module assessment criteria, as well as the formative and summative assessment, and moderation to be done in each module (WSU Assessment Policy, 2022). Formative assessment measures students’ learning progress to provide ongoing and incremental feedback. It includes a range of formal and informal assessments to monitor the progress made towards achieving learning outcomes and obtaining a year/semester mark or predicate, i.e., admission to the summative assessment (WSU Assessment Policy, 2022). Summative assessment takes place after the learning has been completed, i.e. at the end of a quarter, semester, or year, and provides information and feedback summarising the teaching and learning process. The summative assessment aims to validate performance and award marks and results (WSU Assessment Policy, 2022).

Research Paper/Project Assessment
Successful learners for this qualification undertake coursework modules. In addition, they are required to write a mini dissertation. In this mini-dissertation, the learner identifies a suitable research topic and explores it independently, demonstrating its relevance to either the advancement of academic knowledge or the resolution of a problem in an area of practical concern. The mini dissertation entails supervised research that meets academic journal paper standards. Formatively, the dissertation will be presented in seminars (both Departmental and Faculty level) for approval of topics and in local and national conferences. The summative assessment will submit the project to one external supervisor for marking and grade scoring.

Coursework/module Assessment

With formative assessment, usually, there are three or more compulsory semester tasks done that count towards the semester mark. Depending on the nature of the modules, the tasks may include one written test, submission of an assignment and a class presentation. Only the best 2 out of 3 or more tasks will be recognised in consideration of the learner's semester mark. The semester mark must be at least 40% per module for the learner to qualify to write the final examination. The summative coursework examination mark will contribute towards the final mark. The learner must achieve at least an above-average mark in the examination irrespective of what the semester is. If the learner has achieved below average in the examination, the learner will be awarded a non-achievement sub-minimum, irrespective of the semester mark. The final mark is obtained by adding the examination mark (with a weight of 60%) and the semester mark (with a weight of 40%). The learner must have an average final mark to achieve the module. The learner who achieves a final mark below 50% will qualify for a supplementary examination.

The exit level of the BCom Honours in Economics is 120 credits, including a mini research component. The student should pass all modules to graduate. The student does not need to pass the first semester to proceed to the second.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification in line with the university’s RPL policy. Refer to requirements as per 2023 WSU General Prospectus – Section 4, paragraphs 1.6 and 1.7.

Credit Transfer
Students are allowed to apply for formal credit recognition for modules/courses attained from other institutions, according to the university’s policy on credit transfers. Refer to requirements as per 2023 WSU General Prospectus – Section 4, paragraphs 1.6 and 1.7.

Students who have achieved NQF Level 8, may register for a Masters Degree or Master of Technology in any institution of higher learning. This qualification opens the pathway to NQF LEVEL 9.

G7.4 Grounds for Academic Exclusion 

A student who fails to attain the minimum credit requirements at the end of any year of study as stipulated in all the tables above and/or, where applicable, is not on track to attain in the required time the exit-level courses (e.g. major subjects) necessary for obtaining the qualification, will be excluded. Please see the WSU General Prospectus, which explains the grounds for academic exclusion in great detail, available at https://www.wsu.ac.za/index.php/en/study-with-us/2024-prospectuses?layout=table 

To ensure fairness in the selection process, the department will rank the students’ applications based on the average score of the preceding program, and priority will be mostly given to our WSU throughput from the Bachelor of Commerce and Bcom in Economics.