Program Overview

Programme: MPhil Agricultural Economics (Coursework)

The MPhil Agricultural Economics (Coursework) programme is offered by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Programme Information

• Code: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
• Credits: Total credits: 180
• Duration: Minimum duration of study: 2 years

Admission Requirements

• Subject to the provisions of General Regulations G.1.3 and G.54, a relevant BCom Honours degree is a requirement for admission.
• A candidate may be refused admission to a master's degree by the head of the department if he/she does not comply with the standard of competence in the subject as determined by the department – with the proviso that a candidate who does not comply with the required level of competence, may be admitted, provided that he/she completes additional study assignments and/or examinations.
• The head of department concerned may set additional admission requirements.
• Specific departments have specific requirements for admission.
• The number of students will be determined in line with the growth strategy of the University of Pretoria as approved by the Executive.
• Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students.
• A completed Postgraduate Diploma in Economic and Management Sciences can also be considered for admission to the Master's programme in Entrepreneurship.

Other Programme-Specific Information

The degree programme must be completed within four years after the first registration.

Core Modules

• LEK 882: Institutional economics
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: Institutional and behavioural economics. This module will expose students to the principles of the New Institutional Economics paradigm and how it can be utilized to improve the analysis of agricultural economic and agricultural development problems and issues.
• LEK 898: Dissertation: Agricultural economics
  • Credits: 120.00

Elective Modules

• LEK 814: Quantitative methods for agricultural and environmental policy
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: Quantitative models for agricultural and environmental policy. This module will introduce students to applications of discrete choice and linear regression models to agricultural and environmental economics.
• LEK 820: Partial equilibrium modelling and commodity market analysis
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: This module focuses on the modelling of agricultural commodity markets, price determination, policy and trade.
• LEK 826: Environmental valuation and policy
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: Environmental valuation and policy. This module will review the basic principles of microeconomic theory needed for understanding and analysis of environmental problems, introduce market and non-market techniques of valuation of natural resources and environmental services.
• LEK 883: Agricultural supply chain management
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: Agricultural supply chain analysis. Explore the evolution of supply chain management in the global food industry.
• LEK 886: The economics of natural resources
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: The economics of natural resources. This course will introduce students to the techniques of optimisation overtime, optimal allocation and management of non-renewable and renewable resources, with case studies from Africa.
• LEK 887: Selected topics in environmental economics
  • Credits: 15.00
  • Module content: Selected topics in environmental economics. This module will introduce students to various issues of special importance in environmental economics and policy with special emphasis on international dimensions.