Master of Commerce in Economics

Unisa’s admission policy has changed and you are now required to submit a detailed research outline for the qualification for which you apply. No application submitted without a detailed research outline will be considered. Although this research outline may differ for each qualification or academic department, the basic information required is as follows:

• Title
• Summary of topic
• Short literature review
• Expected contribution of the study
• Methodology to be followed
• Availability of the data
• List of references
• Reasons why you are interested in the topic

Your research outline must align with one of the departmental research focus areas. Please also take note of Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas; you should strive to incorporate at least one of the Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) into your research. These include the following: 

• Marine studies      
• Aviation and aeronautical studies      
• Automotive      
• Energy      
• Space study and square kilometre array      
• Fourth IR and digitalisation      
• Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)      
• Health studies/medicine      
• Feminist, womanist and bosadi theorisations      
• Student support and co-curricular activities 

Admission requirements

• An appropriate bachelor honours degree, or an appropriate postgraduate diploma, or a 480 credit bachelor's degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 in the field of Economics with an average of at least 60%. A student who is admitted on the strength of a postgraduate diploma or a 480 credit bachelor's degree with a minimum of 96 credits at level 8 and who has not completed a module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module at NQF level 8 for NDP before he/she will be allowed to register for the dissertation.
• All students with foreign qualifications, including those with qualifications from African countries, must have their qualifications evaluated at SAQA. 
• In addition to the above requirements, applicants must submit a transcript or an academic record, as well as a document describing their intended research. Students will be accepted on the following criteria: suitability and viability of the intended research; adequate supervisory capacity and research expertise in the discipline or department.
• There is an approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department. 

Research master's degree

• A research master's degree comprises a dissertation on an approved topic. You will be expected to have a research proposal approved in the first year of study.  

Please note: If you do not complete a research proposal in the first year of study, you will not be permitted to continue with the qualification. You will also be excluded from applying for admission to the same college for a period of two years.