Labour Economics and Labour Market Policy Specialisation
Course Information
As a component within the general Economics Masters
Programme, the Department offers a Masters Programme
specialising in Labour Economics and Labour Market Policy.
This specialisation offers focused attention to the theories and
tools of Labour Economics as part of top-rate graduate training
in Economics. Students will be provided with the theoretical and
applied tools required for substantive analysis of key South
African labour market issues. As such the degree will equip
students to market themselves as rigorously trained labour
market and social policy analysts. There is a growing demand for
such graduates from the public sector, the NGO sector and
private sector institutions who view an appropriate
understanding of the labour market as central to their
activities.
The labour market is a key arena within which a large number of
South Africa's economic challenges exist such as high
unemployment levels, a growing shortage of skilled workers and
low levels (as well as poor quality) of human capital
acquisition. In turn a well-functioning labour market is viewed
as central to solving these problems.
Programme Structure: Two-year
Honours/Masters
Year one of the programme (Honours) is identical to that of
the general stream. In the second year, students complete the
core courses of the main programme, a specialist course in
Labour Economics, and two other elective courses, at least one
of which should be chosen from among:
- Advanced Population Analysis
- Economic Modelling Techniques
- Population and Development
- Tools for Policy Evaluation
Research Paper
In both years of the programme, students are required to
write their research paper in the areas of Labour Economics and
Labour Market Policy.
Admission Requirements
Please refer to the requirements listed under the general Masters
in Economics programme.
Application forms need to be received by the end of October to
be accepted to start in the following year. Students from
outside South Africa will also require a Study Permit as well as
assurance of their competence in the English language. Foreign
students should contact the International
Academic Programmes Office (IAPO).
Financial Support
There are a number of full bursaries available for previously
disadvantaged South African students doing this specialisation.
The bursaries would cover living expenses and tuition fees for
each successful student. There are also a number of smaller
study grants open to all Southern African students. The School
also offers teaching assistant posts to all Masters students. In
addition, three students per year may be selected for short
stays at a relevant government department or research
institution.
Research Papers
External
Research Papers:
Conference
Papers:
Other
Publication:
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