Careers › Business & finance

How to become a Economist

Studies how money, markets and policy shape a country.

What does a Economist actually do?

More about this career

Studies how money, markets, trade and government policy shape a country’s wellbeing – working for banks, government (National Treasury, the Reserve Bank), research institutions or international organisations. It’s more about analysis, forecasting and policy writing than the hands-on money management of a financial manager.

Where this degree can take you

  • Policy Analyst
  • Investment Research Analyst
  • Treasury Economist
  • Development Economist

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Economics (helpful)

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 28 of 29 programmes
  • Economics – asked for by 2 of 29 programmes
  • Mathematical Literacy – asked for by 2 of 29 programmes
  • Technical Mathematics – asked for by 1 of 29 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

29 programmes at 16 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Nelson Mandela University

BCom General (Economics)

Business & Economic Sciences · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 390 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 50%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the NMU 2027 Z-Card (AS and subject percentages match). From NMU’s own faculty "UG Guide" PDFs, most of which are dated/closing in 2024 - apparently covering the 2025 intake, not independently confirmed as current for 2027 (NMU appears to roll these forward with the same structure each year, but treat the figures as "last confirmed" rather than "2027-verified"). No 2027 closing date is stated.

Source: View the official page (business.mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page)

BCom (Economics & Statistics)

Business & Economic Sciences · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 390 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 60%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages).

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

North-West University

BCom (Economic Sciences: Agricultural Economics & Risk Management)

Economic & Management Sciences

NWU APS 26 points out of 48

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed against the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty Yearbook. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (commerce.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Rhodes University

Bachelor of Economics (BEcon)

Commerce · 3 years

Rhodes points 40 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (pages 13-19): points bands, English and subject levels match. Rhodes points of 34-39 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 40 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 40 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 34. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. The prospectus gives the BEco 34-39 (Dean’s discretion) and 40+ (provisional offer) - an earlier version of this row had 38-44 / 45, which belongs to the Bachelor of Business Science. At 34-37 points Rhodes considers you for the Commerce Faculty’s 4-year Extended Studies programme (Mathematics 50%) instead. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Sol Plaatje University

From an older document

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

Economic & Management Sciences · 3 years

SPU APS 30

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more) OR Mathematics + Economics/Business Studies – Mathematics at level 4 AND Economics or Business Studies at level 3.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against SPU’s own 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (the 2027 edition is only published as an online viewer that could not be read) - APS and levels match; confirm the 2027 prospectus before relying on a cut-off. Read directly (pdftotext) from SPU’s own 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus. Source PDF labelled "2026", not yet confirmed for 2027.

Source: View the official page (spu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BCom Economic Sciences

Economic & Management Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 60%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BA in Political, Philosophical and Economic Studies (PPE)

Arts and Social Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 63 %

  • Language – Home Language 50% and First Additional Language 40%.
  • Mathematics: 60%

Read 2026-10-04 from the Stellenbosch 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). The number shown is the NSC aggregate (excluding Life Orientation). Page 6. Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BCom (Economic Sciences)

Economic and Management Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Language – English Home Language 50% OR Afrikaans Home Language 50% OR Afrikaans First Additional Language 70% OR English First Additional Language 70%.
  • Mathematics: 60%

Read 2026-10-04 from the Stellenbosch 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). The number shown is the NSC aggregate (excluding Life Orientation). Pages 6-7. Focal areas: Econometrics, Economic and Management Consultation, Financial Sector, Transport Economics. Mathematics 70% is needed for the Econometrics and Financial Sector focal areas (Actuarial Science 112). Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Tshwane University of Technology

Diploma in Economics

Economics & Finance · 3 years

TUT APS 22 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 6 (70% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against TUT’s 2026 faculty prospectus: APS and subject levels match. New row, from the user-supplied Economics & Finance Faculty Prospectus. From TUT’s 2027 First-Year Course Information and General Information PDFs. Applications opened 1 April 2026 (fee R240).

Source: View the official page (tut.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BCom Economics (Economics, Economics & Statistics, Economics & Finance, Economics with Law)

Commerce · 3 years

UCT Faculty Points Score 435 out of 600 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 60%
  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy must be Upper Intermediate or above. The NBT Maths test is not required for Commerce.

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 435. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 470 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (430-434, Education Development Unit only) applies to redress categories only. Economics with Law leads to the two-year postgraduate LLB.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSocSc Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)

Humanities · 3 years

UCT Faculty Points Score 450 out of 600 (band a)

  • English: 50% if it is your Home Language, 60% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: 60%
  • NBT – NBT Academic Literacy: Proficient, and Quantitative Literacy: Upper Intermediate or above.

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 450. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 450 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (380) applies to redress categories only. Band B (WPS 450) needs an Upper Intermediate Academic Literacy NBT; Band A needs Proficient.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Fort Hare

Bachelor of Commerce: Economics stream

Management and Commerce · 3 years

UFH APS 28

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Four more subjects – Four further subjects at level 4 or better.
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied UFH 2026 faculty prospectus admission tables. Extended Programme (4 years): APS 27 with Mathematics level 3. East London and Alice campuses.

Source: View the official page (ufh.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Commerce (Economics stream) (Extended Programme)

Management and Commerce · 4 years

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English – English Home Language or First Additional Language at level 4 (50-59%).
  • Other subjects – Level 4 in four further subjects and level 2 (30-39%) in one subject; UFH states APS 26 or higher depending on the programme.

Duration and qualification type read 2026-10-04 from UFH’s own programme page; the entry rule is UFH’s general undergraduate rule from its undergraduate page (English at level 4 in Home or First Additional Language, level 4 in four further subjects and level 2 in one subject, APS 26 or higher depending on the programme). UFH does not state a numeric APS minimum on this programme’s own page, only subject-level requirements. 2027 undergraduate applications: opened 1 May 2026, close 31 October 2026 (from ufh.ac.za/admission).

Source: View the official page (ufh.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

BCom in Economics and Econometrics

Economic & Financial Sciences · 3 years

UJ APS 28 points

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 41, programme code B3N14Q. Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics not accepted.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BA with specialisation in Politics, Economics and Technology

Humanities · 3 years

UJ APS 27 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, page 75, programme code B7024Q. Technical Mathematics is not accepted.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematical Statistics and Economics (with Financial Orientation))

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 33 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M56Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematics and Economics (with Financial Orientation))

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 33 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M57Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Limpopo

BCom (Economics)

Management & Law · 3 years

UL APS 26 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Economics: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UL’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus faculty tables (images of the table, since the PDF’s text layer cannot be read reliably). Extended Curriculum (4 years): APS 22. UL says meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. No 2027 closing date appears in the prospectus - see the dates page.

Source: View the official page (ul.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Pretoria

BCom specialising in Economics

Economic & Management Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 32 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)

Confirmed against the user-supplied EMS 2027 Faculty Brochure. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BCom specialising in Econometrics

Economic & Management Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 32 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

A higher Mathematics bar (level 6) than the general BCom Economics specialisation above (level 5) - distinct programmes, not the same one twice. Confirmed against the user-supplied EMS 2027 Faculty Brochure. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of South Africa

BCom in Economics

Economic & Management Sciences

Unisa APS 21 points

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%

Re-read 2026-10-04 against Unisa’s live qualification page: APS, language/Mathematics percentages and the 17 August - 9 October 2026 window all match. NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement required (a Higher Certificate or Diploma from Unisa’s College of Economic & Management Sciences is also accepted). Maximum 8 years to complete. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics Quantitative Economics

Economic & Management Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 98305 – QEC). NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement (or equivalent). Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

BCom with specialisation in Economics

Economic & Management Sciences

UFS AP score 28 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan code BC630020.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UFS AP score 32 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the table on the faculty’s page in the UFS 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (page images). Plan code BC431100.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Economic Science

Commerce, Law & Management · 3 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 7 (80% or more)

Confirmed unchanged by a direct fetch of the 2027 course-finder page (2026-10-02 spot-check). APS 39-41 with English 5 and Mathematics 7 may be wait-listed.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BCom Economics

Commerce, Law & Management · 3 years

Wits APS 38 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026. APS 35-37 is wait-listed.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BCom Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)

Commerce, Law & Management · 3 years

Wits APS 38 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)

Read from the live 2027 course-finder page on 2026-10-04. Applications close 30 September 2026. APS 35-37 is wait-listed. Programme code CBA12.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Venda

BCom Economics

Management, Commerce and Law · 3 years

Univen APS 32

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Economics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two more subjects – Level 3 in any two of Accounting, Business Studies and Information Technology.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (April 2026), faculty programme tables. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Walter Sisulu University

Bachelor of Commerce in Economics

Economic & Financial Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 25 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more) OR Mathematical Literacy: level 6 (70% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Mthatha. Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

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