How To Become Economist In South Africa

An economist is a practitioner in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy.

How To Become Economist In South Africa

Everyone knows that choosing subjects in the final years at school is very important. For a start, you want the best chance of the right grades so that top universities will offer you places. Secondly, you want subjects that interest you and finally a career that really pays well.

Economics is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Economics focuses on the behavior and interactions of economic agents and how economies work.

High School Subjects Needed To Study Economics in South Africa

Take math, statistics, and economics classes in high school.

To make college that much easier, start setting yourself up for success now. Take introductory courses in high school that’ll give you a grip on what you’ll be immersing yourself into in college. Get familiar with the topics at hand, stay up-to-date on current political and economic events, and start making it plan A for your future.

Get your bachelor’s degree.

It’s a good idea to major in economics, business management, or a math-related field, like statistics. Dive right into classes like microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and economic thought and theory. You’ll also need classes in marketing, finance, and accounting.

Consider getting a master’s degree.

Most successful economists have education beyond that of a bachelor’s. The job outlook is better the more education you have, too. Though it is possible to get a job in a related field with just an undergraduate degree, consider getting your master’s to up your career potential.

Get an internship.

Master’s (and PhD) candidates often get internships during their time at college, working with a professor or private company assisting with research. This looks great on a resume and can be your foothold into the academic or professional world of economics. Scope out your opportunities during your studies to supplement your education.

Look into getting your Ph.D.

Again, with more education comes more job opportunities (and higher pay). If you get your Ph.D., you could teach or work just about anywhere. This takes several years and includes completing detailed research in a specialty field. It is a research-based degree that focuses on an upper-level understanding of quantitative analysis.

What can you specialize in?

Industrial organization, game theory, international economics, income distribution and econometrics are just a few topics grad students choose to pursue individually.


Join a professional organization. If you have an advanced degree in a particular area, there is likely a professional organization you can join to meet and network with other fellow economists; two examples are the Association for Social Economics and the National Association for Business Economists. This can lead to great connections and job opportunities in the future.

Where To Study Economics In South Africa.

South Africa has several universities that offer Economics education;

University of Pretoria Department of Economics

University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg Department of Economics

Stellenbosch University Department of Economics

University of the Western Cape Department of Economics

Rhodes University Department of Economics

Department of Economics University of South Africa

Where can I study economist in South Africa?

The Bachelors in Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa is an education programme which offers students a specialized knowledge of economics.

How much does an economist in in South Africa?

The average pay for an Economist is ZAR 832,278 a year and ZAR 400 an hour in South Africa. The average salary range for an Economist is between ZAR 581,561 and ZAR 1,045,273. On average, a Master’s Degree is the highest level of education for an Economist.

Which course is best for economist in South Africa ?

What Does a Great Economics Course Look Like?

The Complete Economics Masterclass – Learn Basic Economics by Udemy.

5 Economics Courses in 1 by Udemy.

Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet by edX.

The Power of Macroeconomics: Economic Principles in the Real World by Coursera.

Do economists earn a lot of money?

Economics graduates typically have higher full-time earnings than graduates from most other fields of study, and their earnings are comparable to those with STEM degrees and higher than those with degrees in business and other social sciences (Graph 4).

Is The Economist in demand?

Employment of economists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for economists should come from the increasing complexity of the global economy, additional financial regulations, and a more competitive business environment.

Is there a lot of math in economics?

Math and statistics are used in economics, but at the undergraduate degree level, the math and statistics are certainly not overwhelming. Economics majors are usually required to take one statistics course and one math course (usually an introductory calculus course).

Is economist a high paying job?

And all jokes aside, some studies suggest that, while earning more money than the national average does improve life satisfaction, once you get past a certain salary threshold, money stops making you any happier. (Depending on where you live, this is around R 1475481.19.)

Is economics a hard course?

Even though economics is a social science, it can be as difficult and demanding as any of the more challenging academic subjects, including math, chemistry, etc. To do well in economics requires time, dedication, and good study habits.

Is it hard to be an economist?

Even though economics is a social science, it can be as difficult and demanding as any of the more challenging academic subjects, including math, chemistry, etc. To do well in economics requires time, dedication, and good study habits.