Masters Programme in Applied Economics (CM014)

Information

The School of Economics offers a Masters in Applied Economics in recognition of the need for a flexible programme structure which allows students to focus on research while choosing a curriculum best suited to their abilities and interests. The aim is to equip students with essential research skills (both quantitative and writing skills) and knowledge in their chosen area of specialisation. The 90 credit dissertation weighting allows students to qualify for NRF funding.

Entrance requirements:

1. An average of at least 65% in an Honours degree in Economics.
2. An acceptable research proposal.
3. Applicants may be required to undertake a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test.
4. Recommendation of acceptance is at the discretion of the Graduate Committee.

In addition to completing the University application form, students must complete a Departmental Application form and submit it to the Graduate Administrator, School of Economics before 31 October. The programme commences in late January.

Course outline:

The Masters in Applied Economics comprises two streams: Economics and Applications in Development.

Both streams comprise of two compulsory courses, two optional courses and a dissertation (ECO5066W). Each student will be assigned a supervisor, who will advise the student on the most suitable courses to take to assist their research. Students taking ECO5046Z or ECO5021F or ECO5020F are required to take ECO5011F Quantitative Methods for Economists prior to registering for these courses.

Economics Stream

Coursework Component

Compulsory Courses: (30 credits each)
ECO5046Z Advanced Econometrics
At least one of:
ECO5021F Advanced Macroeconomics
ECO5020F Advanced Microeconomics

Optional Courses: (30 credits each)
Two courses to be chosen from the following (one course if both Macroeconomics and Microeconomics are chosen in the first semester):
ECO5062S Applied International Trade
ECO5001S Economics of Aids in Africa
ECO5025S Financial Economics
ECO5050S International Finance
ECO5057S Labour Economics
ECO5052S Natural Resource Economics
ECO5064S Views of Institutional and Behavioural Economics
ECO50XXF Quantitative Tools for Development
ECO50XXF Problem-Driven Development Economics

Research Component

ECO5066W Half Dissertation (90 credits)

• Options may be added or withdrawn according to circumstances each year.
• Students may take one approved course from a cognate discipline as an optional course (in either semester).
• Please consult the departmental website (www.commerce.uct.ac.za/economics) for descriptions of the compulsory and optional courses.

Applications in Development

This stream is designed for candidates who seek to work as applied practitioners and policy makers in government and government agencies, in the private sector and in non-governmental organizations. The stream prepares graduates to utilize their economics training in the application to a wide range of development problems."

Coursework Component

Compulsory Courses: (30 credits each)
ECO50XXF Problems of Globalisation, Industrialisation and Development
ECO50XXF Research and Policy Tools

Optional Courses: (30 credits each)
Two courses to be chosen from any other Masters course in Economics for which students meet the entrance requirements

Research Component

ECO5066W Half Dissertation (90 credits)

• Options may be added or withdrawn according to circumstances each year.
• Students may take one approved course from a cognate discipline as an optional course (in either semester).
• Please consult the departmental website (www.commerce.uct.ac.za/economics) for descriptions of the compulsory and optional courses.

Examination requirements for degree:

1. Both the coursework component and the dissertation must be passed to qualify for the award of the degree. A student may fail no compulsory course and no more than one optional.
2. Candidates are normally expected to complete all the coursework within one year.
3. The 90 credits dissertation should be approximately 20 000 words in length, is expected to be completed in the year following the coursework.
4. The degree will be awarded with distinction if the candidate obtains an overall average mark of 75% or higher, and if the candidate obtains not less than 70% for both the coursework component and the dissertation component of the degree.
5. Students who fail to complete all the requirements for the Masters degree within two years will not be permitted to re-register.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Click here for information on general bursaries and scholarships, or visit the Postgraduate Funding Office's website.