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Note: The information, prices and requirements of the programmes listed may undergo changes and are guidelines only. |
Note
The content of this programme is tentative and is awaiting approval from the involved faculty.
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BSc (Agric) Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness Management
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Have you ever eaten a McDonald's burger and wondered where the bread, meat, lettuce and ketchup come from? Why is there a difference in the price and quality of Nando's and KFC's chicken? Why do some people drink red wine and others beer? What is the price of the wheat used in bread, what are the costs associated with the milling of the wheat and the baking of the bread? What influences the costs of slaughtering cattle and processing the beef to mince meat? What are the profit margins of the farmers and middlemen in all these transactions in the supply chain? These are some of the questions agricultural economists answer on a daily basis. Thus, if you are interested in getting answers to these questions and have a passion for science, economics and people, then agricultural economics is the field of study for you.
The world of food and textiles and, therefore, the world of agricultural economics, is a dynamic and vibrant world. It deals with fashion and fads, but also with the basic needs of people. Agricultural economics deals with the economics of producing food or clothing and then getting it to the consumer. It deals with various issues from growing grapes to producing and selling wine, from analysing a current business to determining the investment potential of a new venture, from selling commodities on global futures markets to selling vegetables in the local Spar. It deals with nature but also with people. It deals with making money but also helping poverty-stricken people. All in all, agricultural economics deals with making a difference in people's lives.
The undergraduate training of an agricultural economist consists of a four-year BSc(Agric) degree in Agricultural Economics or a three-year BCom degree in Agribusiness Management. In postgraduate studies, an agricultural economist can specialise in agribusiness management, agricultural policy analysis, environmental economics, and agricultural and rural finance. There are many opportunities for UP students to study agricultural economics at universities in the USA. This ensures that you get world-class training and can, therefore, work anywhere in the world in the food and textile system in an endeavour to ensure that people's most basic needs are met in the most economic and sustainable manner.
The Department offers various courses where the emphasis is on agribusiness management and agricultural economics.
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| Code |
03130050
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| Closing date for application (subject to change and to be confirmed by faculty) |
30 September
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| Entry Requirements for UP |
To be able to gain access to the faculty and specific programmes prospective students require the appropriate combinations of recognized NSC subjects as well as certain levels of achievement in the said subjects.
Determining the Admission Point Score(APS)
The calculation is simple and based on a candidate’s achievement in six 20-credit recognised subjects by using the NSC ratings that is the “1 to 7 scale of achievement”. Thus, the highest APS that can be achieved is 42. Use the table below to calculate your APS or click here to use our web tool to determine your APS.
Life Orientation must be passed with a 4, but is excluded from the calculation determining the APS required for admission.
| Rating code |
Rating |
Marks % |
| 7 |
Outstanding achievement |
80-100% |
| 6 |
Meritorious achievement |
70-79% |
| 5 |
Substantial achievement |
60-69% |
| 4 |
Adequate achievement |
50-59% |
| 3 |
Moderate achievement |
40-49% |
| 2 |
Elementary achievement |
30-39% |
| 1 |
Not achieved |
0-29% |
The NSC requirements for this programme are:
English or Afrikaans
Home OR First Additional Language |
Any other NSC Language
Home OR First Additional Language |
Mathematics |
Physical Science |
Any other NSC subject |
Any other NSC subject |
Mimimum APS |
| 4 (50 % - 59 %) |
4 (50 % - 59 %) |
5 (60 % - 69 %) |
5 (60 % - 69 %) |
4 (50 % - 59 %) |
4 (50 % - 59 %) |
30 |
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| More information on the programme |
Careers: Agricultural economists are involved in many different areas of the economy. Some are involved in analysing and understanding consumers’ behaviour in terms of their wants, needs and willingness to pay for food and clothing. Other agricultural economists are involved in environmental management and assisting government and businesses to ensure the sustainable usage of scarce resources such as water and arable land. Some agricultural economists are traders on global financial markets and work at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandton or at Wall Street in New York. Some other agricultural economists work for banks and finance food processors such as bakers and brewers, while others finance farmers and input suppliers. Some agricultural economists work for the government, advising them on how to ensure that there is enough food for all the people in the country, while other agricultural economists work in commercial banks, advising clients and managers how to manage finance, risk and commodity markets. Agricultural economists also play a vital part in research and development in the agricultural sector. Agricultural economists travel a lot and meet many interesting people. They travel both locally and to most other parts of the world such as Africa, the USA, China, South America, Australia and Europe. They do this to buy the best inputs to produce food and clothing, but also to identify and understand markets for products. Therefore, an agricultural economist is somebody who is interested in people and their culture, in nature, but also in business and management. An agricultural economist needs to be able to interact with people, but also use statistics and mathematics to understand the interaction between people, nature and the economy.
More Detailed Admission Requirements
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Afrikaans orEnglish
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An additionalNSC language
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Mathematics(Mathematical Literacy not accepted)
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PhysicalScience
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Two otherNSC
subjects
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APS
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4 (50-59%)
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4 (50-59%)
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5 (60-69%)or 4 (50-59%)
provided 5 is obtainedfor Physical Science
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5 (60-69%) or 4 (50-59%) provided 5 is obtained for Mathematics
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4 (50-59%)
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30
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| For an indication of curriculum and assessment, consult the latest yearbook. Click here. |
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| Duration of study |
Four years
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| Medium of presentation (language) |
English/Afrikaans
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| Study Fee range |
R24260 - R26686 per year
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| Enquiries about the programme |
Name: Client Service Centre / Kliëntedienssentrum
Tel: +27 (0)12 420 3111
E-Mail: csc@up.ac.za
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| Extra links |
Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development
Yearbooks
General Regulations
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