Economic Science

The Bachelor of Economic Science is a mathematically focused degree with majors that include Investment and Corporate Finance, Computational and Applied Mathematics, Coding and Cryptography, and Econometrics.

Overview

The BEconSc is a specialist degree that builds strong analytical abilities for graduates wishing to work in fields such as economics, data analytics, scientific computing and other business fields.

You can choose to major in Computational and Applied Mathematics, Investment and Corporate Finance, and Economic Science.

The entrance requirements for the BEconSc degree are higher than those for the BCom. You should only consider it if you have a strong mathematical ability.

Career Opportunities

  • Budget Analyst
  • Economist
  • Financial Analyst
  • Industry Analyst
  • Management Consultant
  • Policy Analyst

Curriculum

First-year
  • Business Accounting I
  • Economic Theory IA (Microeconomics for Economists)
  • Economic Theory IB (Macroeconomics for Economists)
  • Algebra I
  • Calculus I

AND one of the following groups:

  • Mathematical Methods and Modelling I
  • Mechanics I
  • Scientific Computing I

OR

  • Basic Computer Organisation
  • Discrete Computational Structures
  • Introduction to Algorithms and Programming
  • Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms

Note: The choice of courses may be limited by the timetable and number of places available for the course. Individual courses may have further admission requirements specified in the relevant School Standing Orders.

Second-year
  • Economics IIA and IIB

AND

  • Basic Analysis II
  • Multivariable Calculus
  • Abstract Mathematics
  • Linear Algebra II
  • Transition to Abstract Mathematics II
  • Introduction to Mathematical Statistics

AND, one of the following groups:

  • Mathematical Methods & Modelling II

AND

  • Mechanics II

AND

  • Scientific Computing II

OR

  • Corporate Finance II

AND

  • Investment II
Third-year
  • Microeconomics III
  • Macroeconomics III
  • Econometrics III
  • Mathematical Economics III
  • South African Development Issues III
  • International Economics III

AND 

A total of 72 credits must be taken from one of the following groups, provided that you have done the equivalent in the second year of study and complied with the pre-requisite and co-requisite courses:

  • Investment and Corporate Finance III

OR

  • Mathematical Methods and Modelling III
  • Mechanics III
  • Scientific Computing III

OR

  • Coding and Cryptography III and
  • Coding for Economics and Finance III
  • Applied Statistical Machine Learning III 

AND 

  • Applied Multivariate Techniques III

AND 

  • Applied Stochastic Processes III 

AND 

  • Leontief Systems III,

OR 

  • Financial Mathematics III

Entry Requirements

APS 42+
English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 7

Wait-listing

Applicants with an APS of 39-41, as well as English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 7, will be wait-listed, subject to place availability. 

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.