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Stellenbosch University

Bachelor of Commerce in Economic Sciences

The Bachelor of Commerce in Economic Sciences in Economics is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Bachelor of Commerce in Economic Sciences offered by the Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

About the programme

This programme focuses almost exclusively on economics. Economics as major combines with other subjects for different purposes. There are four such subject combinations or focus areas. Because of the importance of statistics for the development of high-level economic analysis, Statistics or Mathematical Statistics is a prescribed subject in this programme up to at least the second-year level.

Students who intend following a career, for instance, as an economic or financial analyst or consultant should register for this programme.

Programme content

The specific focal area that you choose will largely determine the kinds of jobs available to you. See below for the focal areas offered by this programme and the different lines of work for which they prepare you. 

Econometrics

The first combination is proposed for students who have a strong quantitative background and aptitude. Economics is combined with advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics to give students a strong foundation for employment as econometricians in either the financial or public sector, or at a research institution. The advanced level of mathematical and statistical knowledge will equip students with the necessary skills to do sophisticated analyses.

Economic and Management Consultation

This subject combination is aimed at people who wish to qualify as economic or management consultants. A good knowledge of Economics is combined with broad exposure to commercial and management subjects such as Mercantile Law, Industrial Psychology and Financial Management. These subjects provides the student with the necessary background to make business-related recommendations covering a broad spectrum of fields.

Financial Sector

This focal area combines Economics with subjects such as Mathematical Statistics, Investment Management and Financial Risk Management. This subject combination is suggested for a person wanting to seek employment in the financial sector. As this individual would typically work as an economic or financial analyst, there is ongoing emphasis on mathematical and statistical skills, as well as skills that would be required to analyse investment opportunities and the financial statements of companies.

Transport Economics

Transport Economics is that field of economics which deals with the optimal allocation of scarce resources within the transport sector, and between the transport sector and other sectors in the economy. In this discipline the underlying economic theory is discussed and evaluation methods and decision-making theory are studied and applied in order to equip prospective transport economists to assist with the above-mentioned resource allocation in a scientific manner. In addition, the field strives to inform students about the economic principles of transport regulation, transport pricing, competition and government transport policy. Thorough knowledge of these aspects, and the ability to apply transport policy judiciously, should contribute to a transport system which serves the national economy effectively.

Transport economics also equips students with the knowledge of the economic characteristics of different modes of transport and the market conditions in which transport supply takes place in order to enable them to successfully manage transport companies.

To cultivate these capabilities, Economics and Transport Economics are combined with subjects such as Quantitative Management and Logistics Management.