Rhodes University is a public research university located in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is one of four universities in the province. Established in 1904, Rhodes University is the province’s oldest university, and it is the sixth oldest South African university in continuous operation, being preceded by the University of the Free State (1904), University of Witwatersrand (1896), University of South Africa (1873) as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch University (1866) and the University of Cape Town (1829). Rhodes was founded in 1904 as Rhodes University College, named after Cecil Rhodes, through a grant from the Rhodes Trust. It became a constituent college of the University of South Africa in 1918 before becoming an independent university in 1951.

The university had an enrolment of over 8,000 students in the 2015 academic year, of whom just over 3,600 lived in 51 residences on campus, with the rest (known as Oppidans) taking residence in digs (off-campus residences) or in their own homes in the town.

Rhodes university courses and requirements

Minimum Faculty Requirements:

Subject Required	Extended Studies	Dean’s Discretion	Points
Commerce:
Mathematics	34 – 37	38 – 44	45+
Education:
Two languages at level 4 (50 – 59%) Maths/Maths Lit  level 4 (50% – 59%) level 3 (40 – 49%)		32 – 39	40+
Humanities:
	30 – 34	34 – 44	45+
Pharmacy:
Mathematics, Life and Physical Sciences		40 – 44	45
Science:
Mathematics, Physical Science or Life Science		38 – 44	45

Your application will only be considered for admission to the University if you qualify for Bachelor’s degree study AND you satisfy the faculty requirements. To qualify for with a Bachelor’s pass status, learners are required to take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory (two languages, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) and three of the learner’s own choice from the subjects on offer at the school.

To qualify for degree studies at Rhodes University, learners must pass:  

English language at an achievement rating of 4 (50 – 59%) or above.

At least four of the seven subjects must be from the list of recommended subject list set out below and sutdents must have obtained an achievement rating of 4 (50 – 59%) or above.

Meet Faculty requirements:  subject requirements and percentage required.

PLEASE NOTE:  Obtaining the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance!

Recommended subject list:

Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Engineering Graphics & Design, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Languanges, Life Sciences, Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Science, Religion Studies, Visual Arts.

The minimum entry requirements for admission to Rhodes University in 2022 are set out in the following table below. Note (a) the point levels that are required (b) the differences in the achievement levels that are needed for Mathematical Literacy, (c) the need for Life and/or Physical Sciences for degrees in Science or Pharmacy.

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ADMISSION POINT SCORE (APS)

The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an admissions score using the percentage obtained for each subject. The sum of six subject scores, excluding Life Orientation but including English and any other required subject(s) for the relevant programme is considered when deciding on admission. Results below 40% for any subject do not attract a score. Mathematics Paper 3 does not contribute to the APS score but the results will be captured for the Dean to note when making an admission decision.

EXAMPLES OF POINTS CALCULATIONS

English Home Language	78%	7.8 points
Afrikaans/isiXhosa first/Additional  Language	73%	7.3 points
Mathematics	69%	6.9 points
Life Sciences	70%	7.0 points
Dramatic Arts	89%	8.9 points
Accounting	73%	7.3 points
Life Orientation	90%	0 points
Additional Mathematics	60%	0 points
TOTAL POINTS		45.2 points

Apply online visit:  www.ru.ac.za/admissiongateway

Apply online visit:  https://ross.ru.ac.za

1.  Register on the online system at https://ross.ru.ac.za/ using your email address and creating a password

2.  You will then be sent an email with a link to activate you on the system.

3.  Click the link to activate your registration.

4.  This process will take you back to ROSS where you need to click the Admission/Other button (clicking the right button here is important)

5.  You will then be allowed to enter your login and password created in step one.

6.  Once you have completed your application you need to tick the button accepting the terms and conditions and submit.

7.  When you have submitted you are required to pay the R100 application fee.  Various options are provided by the system.

8.  If you pay your application fee to the bank you need to use your application number as the reference and email the deposit slip to us.

9.  Once you have completed the process above we will process the application and you are provided a student number and login.

DEANS DECISIONS

If you do not meet the APS score of 45 points for automatic acceptance, you may still be considered for a place at the Dean’s discretion. Such places are usually offered with some extra conditions. Some places are usually offered to students with an APS score of 38 – 44 with some extra conditions (see extended studies below).  It is therefore very important to give full information when completing the application form as this is the information that the Dean will use for making a decision.

Extended Studies Programme

As an alternative route to university studies at Rhodes, a limited number of students who show potential to succeed are exposed to a carefully designed and supportive learning environment which enhances their ability to succeed. This option is for students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds on condition that they take their degree over an extra year at University.  It is therefore, essential full information is provided when completing the application form as this forms part of the decision-making process by the Dean. 

NATIONAL BENCHMARK TESTS (NBT’S)

It is recommended that all first-time university entering South African applicants write the NBT’s. If the applicant does not meet the automatic entry requirements the NBT results will form part of the Dean’s decision-making on applications. These test results can also be used if a candidate does not meet the entrance requirements in their final examinations.

There are two tests which are written throughout the year at various centres:

*  The Academic and Quantitative literacy test (AQL) consists of two components, namely academic literacy and quantitative literacy. All applicants should write the AQL test.  

*  The Mathematics test (MAT), this test is for applicants who wish to enter the following faculties:  Commerce, Pharmacy and Science. 

For further information about the NBT, dates and venues, please visit: www.nbt.ac.za or call

021 650 3523.

International requirements

An APS score of 40 points and above will receive a firm offer, 37-39 points will remain on hold until the end of September to be considered by the Dean if space is available.  Candidates who offer a combination of Advanced level (A), Advanced Subsidiary level (AS), Ordinary level (O), Higher International General Certificate of Secondary Education (HIGCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), five (5) different subjects are counted.  The basic minimum requirements for admission to the University is a certificate of Full Exemption or Foreign Conditional Exemption from the Matriculation Board.

(visit: https://mbit-application.usaf.ac.za/assessment/). 

Rhodes university undergraduate diploma courses

• Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management Overview.
• Diploma in International Studies.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Journalism.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies.

There are postgraduate degrees and diplomas offered to students who have completed a first degree. These include:

• Honours in Journalism and Media Studies
• Masters in Journalism and Media Studies
• PhD in Journalism and Media Studies
• Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies
•  Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Journalism
• Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management
• Vist the Rhodes Postgraduate Gateway for applications forms and more information.

Rhodes university bcom accounting requirements

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – three-year programme

General

1st Year	2nd Year	3rd Year
Choose:Acc 101 and (102 or 112)	Compulsory:Ecos 201 and 202	Choose a major course
Compulsory:Ecos 101 and 102	Choose a 2nd-year course	Choose another major course
Compulsory:Management 101 and 102	Choose another 2nd-year course
Choose:Commercial Law 101 and 102 or Psychology 1	Choose:Commercial Law 101 and 102 or any course
Choose:Theory of Finance and Statistics 1D or Maths 1C	Compulsory:Prof Communications
Optional:Computer Science 112

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – three-year programme

Accounting (Chartered Accountant)

1st Year	2nd Year	3rd Year
Compulsory:Acc 101 and 102	Compulsory:Ecos 201 and 202	Compulsory:Acc 3
Compulsory:Ecos 101 and 102	Compulsory:Acc 2	Compulsory:Auditing 3
Compulsory:Management 101 and 102	Compulsory:Info Systems 201 and 203	Compulsory:Taxation 3
Compulsory:Commercial Law 101 and 102	Compulsory:Principles of Professional Accounting	Compulsory:Management Accounting and Finance 3
Compulsory:Theory of Finance and Statistics 1D	Compulsory:Prof Communication for Accountants
Compulsory:Computer Science 112

Rhodes university economics honours requirements

A four year honours degree is normally required to obtain the necessary exposure to the appropriate range of specialist courses in economics and the necessary research experience in order to take up a career as an economist. Economics honours consists of a research project plus EIGHT course modules from the following.

COMPULSORY COURSES

CODE, COURSE, SEMESTER OFFERED

ECO 401, Research project, 1 & 2
ECO 418, Microeconomics , 1
ECO 403, Macroeconomics, 1
ELECTIVE COURSES

SIX courses are selected from the following list:

CODE, COURSE, SEMESTER OFFERED

ECO 402, Mathematical Economics, 2
ECO 404, Econometrics, 2
ECO 405, Monetary Economics, 1
ECO 406, Growth and Technology, 1
ECO 407, Financial Economics, 2
ECO 408, Labour Economics, 1
ECO 409, Development Economics, 2
ECO 410, Environmental & Resource Economics, 1
ECO 414, Derivatives, Financial Market Regulation and Efficiency, 2
ECO 415, Public Finance, 1
ECO 416, Industrial Organization, 1
ECO 417 Any other paper approved by the Department

NB: Not all the above courses will be offered in any one year. Economics Honours can be taken full-time or part-time.

TWO compulsory and TWO elective courses will normally be taken per semester. Examinations are written in June and November. The research project is completed over the whole year (full-time) and over 2 years (part-time) and should be handed in by 1 October in order to be examined in November.

A student is permitted to take a paper from another department to the maximum weight of 0,2.

Students who have not done Econometrics at the third-year level, are allowed to take ECO 315 in lieu of one of the elective honours courses
INTERDISCIPLINARY HONOURS DEGREE IN
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

The degree consists of FOUR papers and a long research essay from participating departments.

ECO 401 – RESEARCH PROJECT

* A research project of limited scope (of not more than 15 000 words) on an approved topic in economics to be selected by 31 March, handed in by 1 October, involving either a a theoretical analysis or an application of economics
* Empirical work is strongly recommended
* A presentation of results is to be made at a departmental seminar
* Candidates are encouraged to present a paper at an economic conference

ECO 402 – MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS

* Analytic and mathematical models in economics
* linear models
* Leontief input-output analysis
* Optimisation – single and several variables with constraints
* Consumer theory
* Demand theory
* Expenditure minimisation
* Production theory
* Profit maximisation
* Equilibrium and its basic welfare properties
* Dynamical models of economic processes

ECO 403 – MACROECONOMICS

* The evolution of ideology and the economy in the 20th Century: South Africa and the world economy through the lens of macroeconomic thought
* Growth theory
* Keynes and the Keynesians
* Neo-Walrasian economics (new Classical and new Keynesian economics)
* Policital economy

ECO 404 – ECONOMETRICS

* Dummy dependent variables: LPM, logit, probit and tobit models
* Panel data regression models: fixed versus random effects approaches
* Dynamic econometric models: distributed-lag and autoregressive models
* Time series econometrics: stationarity, unit roots, cointegration and the error correction mechanism
* Simultaneous equation systems: simultaneous equation bias
* The identification problem
* The methods of indirect and two-stage least squares

ECO 405 – MONETARY ECONOMICS

* The monetary sector
* Money and credit
* Monetary theory (classical, Keynesian, portfolio models and post Keynesian)
* The demand for money
* The transmission mechanism
* The money supply process
* Theory and application of the definition of money
* Monetary policy
* Monetary control in South Africa
* Monetary vs inflation targeting

ECO 406 – GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGY

* Technology and macroeconomic growth models
* Technical change and the economic system
* The sources of innovation
* The new manufacturing technologies
* International differences in growth and technology
* National systems of innovation
* Foreign direct investment and multinational corporations in developing countries
* Technology and industrial policy: government intervention in the market
* South Africa: a case study

ECO 407 – FINANCIAL ECONOMICS

* Financial markets and the economy
* Portfolio theory
* Interest rate theory
* Capital market theory and the valuation of assets (the capital asset pricing model and arbitrage pricing)
* Pricing of bonds and equities
* The cost of capital, corporate finance and investment
* Money, bond and equity markets

ECO 408 – LABOUR ECONOMICS

* Perspectives on labour
* Neoclassical fundamentals
* Monopoly, monopsony and the economics of information
* Traditional systems of industrial relations
* Labour and the law in South Africa
* Trade and labour
* New workforms
* Global trends in flexible labour
* Labour and the law in the global economy

ECO 409 – DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

* Meaning and measurement of development
* Theories of economic development: classical perspective and alternative perspectives on development (dependency theory etc)
* human rights; poverty
* Famine
* Entitlement and deprivation
* Role of the state in development
* Role of foreign aid
* The debt crisis
* Structural adjustment programs
* Post-Washington consensus
* Globalization
* Urban bias theory and rural development

ECO 410 – ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS

* The application of economic principles to the valuation of environmental services and of degradation;
* The Environmental Kuznets Curve
* Global Warming
* Natural resource valuation issues
* Economic sustainability
* The development of Environmental Economics and of Ecological Economics

ECO 414 – DERIVATIVES, FINANCIAL MARKET REGULATION AND EFFICIENCY

* Types of futures contracts
* Pricing of futures and the futures market
* Options
* Pricing of options including the Black-Scholes model
* The regulation of financial markets
* Banking supervision and financial market efficiency

ECO 416 – INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION

* Origins of industrial organization.
* The Principle of total costs.
* The active firm, transaction costs and the firm market entry barriers
* Product differentiation
* Absolute cost advantages
* Economies of scale
* Imperfections in capital markets
* Theory of contestable markets.
* The paradigm of market Structure – Conduct – Performance
* Alternative theories of a complex firm
* Organization and economic efficiency
* Behavioural theory of the firm
* Agency theory
* Economics of transaction costs
* Evolutionary theory
* Recent developments in industrial organization

ECO 418 – MICROECONOMICS

* Introduction to game theory, oligopoly and bargaining
* Bounded rationality and private information
* Moral hazard and performance incentives
* Risk sharing and incentive contracts, rents and efficiency, ownership and property rights
* Production, information costs and economic organization
* Auction theory
* Intertemporal microeconomics
* Outlook on industrial organization and on recent developments in microeconomics

CAREER INFORMATION

Combining the Honours electives for a focused career as economist

•Economic Growth & Development Economist
Development Economics
Growth & Technology
Labour Economics
Capita Selecta from Economic History

•Banking and Financial Markets Economist
Financial Economics
International Finance
Public Finance
Industrial Organisation

•Public Sector Economist
Public Finance
International Finance
Development Economics
Growth & Technology

•Economic Planner/Forecaster
Public Finance
International Trade Policy
Growth & Technology
Industrial organisation

•Specialist in International Economic Affairs
International Trade Policy
International Finance
Financial Economics
Public Finance

•Labour Economist
Labour Economics
Development Economics
Growth & Technology
Capita Selecta from Economic History