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Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics and Mathematical Statistics

Honours degree
ID:
0305_100_E103

​The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Economics and Mathematical Statistics covers a specialised study not only of economics, but also of statistical inference. This programme equips students to analyse quantitative economic relationships and prepares students to apply the tools of data science to economic questions.

Contact information
Ms Carina Smit
Programme administrator
+27 21 808 2898

Programme overview

Duration
One year
Campus
Stellenbosch
Type
Coursework

More information

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When applying

When applying for a postgraduate programme, some may require you to upload additional supporting documents beyond completing the standard application form online. Where such documents are required, more information will appear under the section below titled “Supporting Application Documents.”

Please note that selection for postgraduate programmes is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the programme.

Minimum admission requirements

Admission requirements
Students must be accepted for honours studies in both the Department of Economics and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, with the following requirements for each:
Department of Economics
At least 65% average for a final year major in Economics (equivalent to content and focus of Stellenbosch University’s Economics 318 and 348 modules).
Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science
At least 65% average for a final year major in Mathematical Statistics (equivalent to content and focus of Stellenbosch University’s Mathematical Statistics 312, 316, 344 and 364 modules)
Grade 12 Mathematics at least 70%.

Selection
The number of students selected will be influenced by, among other things, staff capacity and the availability of resources within the departments, as well as academic merit and University transformation objectives (within the Department of Economics and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science). As staff capacity and resources may fluctuate from year to year, the number of students selected can also differ from year to year.

If the Economics and Mathematical Statistics background of the applicant is deemed insufficient after a case-by-case determination by the Department of Economics and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, the departments may require an additional departmental assessment on third year level Economics and Mathematical Statistics topics. Students may also be required to complete additional undergraduate Stellenbosch University Economics and Mathematical Statistics modules along with their honours studies.

Supporting application documents

Curriculum vitae (CV)
A document that outlines your educational level, employment history, description of work experience, especially that is relevant to your application to study and contact details of three referees.

Document placeholder name on application portal:
Curriculum vitae (CV)

Final school-leaving results
Certificate awarded upon completion of High School displaying the percentage or grade symbol awarded for each subject passed

Document placeholder name on application portal:
Final school-leaving results

Programme structure

Programme structure
The coursework component consists of four modules each from mathematical statistics and economics and a further two modules that may come from any of the two departments. The research component is a compulsory assignment consisting of a statistical application in a field of economics. Both departments supervise the assignment.
This programme requires full-time class attendance.

Programme content
You must earn a total of at least 148 credits for this programme.
You must complete modules to a minimum of 54 credits from Economics and 48 credits from Mathematical Statistics. For a further minimum of 16 credits, you must choose at least two modules from Economics and/or Mathematical Statistics. The assignment counts 42 credits.

Last updated 01 April 2026
Disclaimer:
The University reserves the right to amend the information on this webpage at any time. While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete, it may be subject to change or become outdated. It remains the responsibility of prospective students to verify all details against the relevant faculty yearbook or directly with the relevant department.

Application dates

South African students
Applications open:
1-Apr 2026
Applications close:
31-Oct 2026

International students
Applications open:
1-Apr 2026
Applications close:
30-Sep 2026