Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of Economics
 

Post-Graduate Diploma in Economics

1.          GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1        Department of Economics offers a programme leading to a Post-Graduate Diploma in Economics. General information about Graduate work at the National University of Lesotho is available from the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies of the National University of Lesotho.

1.2        The Objective of The Diploma Program

            The objective of the program is to give serving lower to middle level management personnel in Government, parastatal, as well as private enterprises accredited training that will increase their productivity. The diploma program is specialized and practically oriented, it is also flexible with the ability of being tailored to the needs of the clientele.

2.         DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS

2.1.1     Admission into the program will be contingent upon acceptance by the admissions committee on the recommendations of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Board of Postgraduate. A successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in an appropriately related discipline, (preferably in Economics, or with Economics as one of the major subject), with proficiency in Economics, Statistics and Mathematics is required. Students with special deficiencies may be required to make up such deficiency, particularly in economic theory, mathematics and statistics prior to entry into the program. The Department of Economics shall make a determination on deficiencies.

2.1.2.     Applicants for admission must submit the following to the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies:

            i)          three copies of transcripts of their undergraduate work;

            ii)          three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate the applicants academic ability;

            iii)         proof of practical experience; and

            iv)         other pertinent information that may be required by the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies. The deadline for receiving applications is the last day of March of each year.

3.         THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY:

3.1.       Duration

The programme of study will normally take two academic semesters, residency is required and students shall normally be enrolled for a period of one academic year. Progression from one semester to the another will depend on successful completion of work in the preceding semester.
 

Master  of Science in Economics
 

1.          General Information

Department of Economics offers a graduate programme leading to the degree of Master of Science in Economics in collaboration with the African Economic Research Consortium participating Universities in Anglophone Africa. General information about Graduate work at the National University of Lesotho is available from the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies of the National University of Lesotho. The degree awarded will be a M.Sc. (Economics) of the National University of Lesotho.

II.        The Objective of the Graduate Degree Program

           The objective of this program is to fulfil the manpower needs for highly trained economists in government, private and parastatal organizations. It will also meet the needs of private individuals that choose to invest in their own personal development.

2.         DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS

Requirements for Admission Into the M.Sc Programme.

A.         Admission into the Graduate programme will be contingent upon acceptance by the Admissions Committee on the recommendation of the Department of Economics and the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies. A successful completion of a bachelor's degree (at least a second class second division or its equivalent) is required prior to entering the program. Students with special deficiencies may be required to make up such deficiency, particularly in economic theory, mathematics and statistics prior to entry into the program. The Department of Economics shall make a determination on deficiencies.

B.         Applicants for admission must submit the following to the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies:

            i)          Three copies of transcripts of their undergraduate work.

            ii)          Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate the applicants’ academic ability.

            iii)         Other pertinent information that may be required by the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies.

            Applicants for admission shall be considered by the last day of March of each year.

3.         FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

            Apart from individual and public sponsorships, the department may provide financial support for outstanding graduate students primarily through teaching and research assistantships. Applications for assistantships should be completed at least four months prior to the term of first enrolment and addressed to the Head of the department. The assistantships will be limited for two years. Each assistantship will be subject to an annual review as to satisfactory performance in the degree work.

4.         THE PROGRAMME OF STUDY:

            4.1.       Duration

                    The Masters of Science programme of study will normally take two years. The first two semesters will take core courses in Advanced Microeconomic Theory, Advanced Microeconomics Theory, Mathematical Methods, Econometrics Methods and Applications, as well as Policy Analysis and Economic Management. Students will then take a minimum of two elective courses and a thesis.

                    The program is divided into three stages with progression from one stage to the other depending on successful completion of the preceding stage. The stages are as follows:

            4.2.       The First Year of Study: August to May (Stage I)

                        Core Courses: (taken at N.U.L.)

                        EC500-6           Microeconomics

                        EC501-6           Macroeconomics

                        EC503-6           Mathematical Methods in Economics

                        EC504-6           Econometrics Methods and Applications

                        EC505-6           Policy Analysis and Economic Management

            4.3.1.    The Second Year of Study (STAGE II)

EITHER

At least two elective courses on areas of specialization will be taken at NUL.

OR

At least two elective courses on areas of specialization will be offered in the AERC’s Joint Facility for Electives (JFE) where students from all participating universities will be jointly taught.

            4.3.2.    The Second Year of study (STAGE III)

                        (to be taken at N.U.L.)

                        EC699-6 Thesis

            4.3.2 Course Offering

The Department reserves the right to offer or not to offer an elective course during any given academic year.

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Department of Social Anthropology/Sociology

Post Graduate Degree Programmes in Sociology
 

Regulations

All candidates will be governed by PG general regulations.

Type of Programme

Candidates in the MSc. Sociology programme will do a MODE II programme consisting of coursework and dissertation.
 

Entrance Requirements for the M.Sc. Programme

The following candidates are eligible to apply for admission to the MSc. Sociology Programme:

a)              Graduates of the National University with at least a second class second division or equivalent in Sociology or in any other approved related field, plus a minimum experience of two years on the field.

b)             Graduates of other approved universities with a minimum of second class second division or equivalent in Sociology or in any other related disciplines

Course Duration

a)                   The programme for full time students is designed to normally run for two academic years.

b)                  Notwithstanding regulation (a) above, candidates for the masters programme may be registered as part time students, but such registration shall expire after a period of four years, unless otherwise permitted by Senate on the recommendation of the Department, Faculty and Board of Postgraduate Studies.

Degree Structure

The MSc. in Sociology will be evaluated by course work examination and dissertation. A total of contact credits over two years inclusive of thesis will have to be completed and distributed as follows:

a)                   18 credit hours for the three compulsory courses.

b)                  5 credit hours in the area of specialization.

c)                   9 credit hours from optional courses

d)                  8 credit hours for dissertation.

e)                   2 credit hours (seminar)

In addition to course work and seminars a dissertation must be completed in accordance with the PG general regulations.

Doctorate Degree Programme

Entrance Requirements

The following candidates are eligible to apply for admission into the Doctorate programme.

a)                   Graduates of the National University with a minimum average of B+ grade in MSc. Sociology course.

b)                  Graduates of the National University with a minimum average of B+ grade in any approved related course.

c)                   Graduates of other approved Universities with a minimum average of a B+ grade in Sociology; or Social Anthropology.

d)                  Graduates of other approved Universities with a minimum average of B+ grade in other approved related subjects.

e)                   A candidate shall be required to submit a proposal in his/her area of interest along with application for admission

Those in category (b) and (d) shall be required to take relevant compulsory courses along with the M.Sc. students or may be asked to audit some relevant courses at the MSc level.
 

Degree Structure

Doctorate degree programme shall be through seminars and a thesis; for a minimum of three years; and a maximum of five years.
 

Master’s Degree in Social Work Programme

Regulations

Duration

i)                     A candidate shall pursue an approved programme of study on full-time basis only, within a stipulated minimum period of two academic years..

ii)                   Candidates will normally be allowed into the MSW degree programme for not more than four years.

iii)                  Registration of candidates cannot be for more than four years except on the recommendation of the department and the Board of Postgraduate Studies to Senate.

iv)                 All students will be governed by PG general Regulations.

Eligibility for Admission

To be admitted to the MSW Programme, a candidate must have one of the following: minimum qualifications:-

i)                     A degree in social work, sociology or social anthropology with at least a Second Class Second Division-II (ii).

ii)                   A Second Class First Division, II (i) from any other related discipline approved by the Department.

iii)                  A lower pass of not less than II (ii) may be accepted if in the undergraduate programme a candidate has taken courses related to social work.

iv)                 A holder of a bachelor’s degree with a pass and who also holds a diploma in social work plus 2 years working experience in the profession.

v)                   Admission will also depend on:

a)                   availability of adequate staffing;

b)                  possibility for fieldwork placement;

c)                   proof of adequate funding to cover practical fieldwork.