Welcome to the School of Economics

Message from Head of School of Economics

Most students we talk with have 2 questions. They want to know What is Economics about? and they also want to know What can I do with an Economics degree?.

Economics is about answering some of the most important questions facing any country, namely, how to provide for the needs of all its citizens in a way that promotes economic growth and ensures that its citizens are happy, healthy and productive. It's about understanding how to make markets work better, so that all South Africans have the opportunity to find employment and are able to provide food, shelter and security for their families. It's about understanding how to make sure that the production of goods and services happens in a way that is not wasteful, so that all firms, be they large-scale firms or small family-owned firms, have chance to make a positive contribution to the country's economy in terms of jobs and the provision of important goods and services. And finally, it's about understanding the role that government should play in promoting growth and the ways in which it can ensure that markets work well, and businesses and its citizens thrive. In short, Economics is about the real world, and about understanding how to truly deliver a better life for all.

What can you do with an Economics degree? The possibilities are endless. At this time in South Africa's history, economists are in high demand, both in government, in the corporate and banking sector, at Universities, in trade unions and in the NGO sector. Because the work of economists is all about making markets, firms and communities work better by getting incentives right, they are always called upon to help solve real world problems. This is what makes being an economist so exciting and so rewarding.

I hope you will take some time to contact and talk to our staff, who will be able to tell you more about what we do in the School of Economics at UCT. More importantly, I look forward to welcoming you into next year's first year class.

Johann Fedderke
Head of Department, School of Economics, University of Cape Town

Downloads

Below are a few files available for download that contain some interesting information regarding Economics and the School of Economics in general:

• Economics Myths - Click here (.PPT) (2.4 MB) (30/05/2007)
• Example of a Lecturer - Click here (.PPT) (322.5 KB) (30/05/2007)
• Student Experiences - Click here (.PPT) (1 MB) (30/05/2007)
• Student Opinions - Click here (.PPT) (1.8 MB) (30/05/2007)