Diploma in Economics at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The extended curriculum programme for NDip studies provides alternative university access to students who have the potential to succeed, but do not meet the minimum admission requirements for the mainstream programme. The purpose of the programme is to integrate additional academic support and skills development with mainstream courses in order to prepare the student for successful completion of the relevant National Diploma. The following NDip extended curriculum qualifications are offered: • Economics • Logistics • Management • Marketing • Tourism Management

Faculty: Business and Economic Sciences | Duration: 3 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

· The purpose of the programme is to integrate additional academic support and skills development with mainstream courses in order to prepare the student for successful completion of the relevant Diploma. The published curriculum is an NQF Level 6 qualification of 360 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Economist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 310. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS • Minimum NSC statutory requirements for diploma entry must be met. • An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 310. • An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy requires a minimum Applicant Score of 325. • NSC achievement rating of at least 35% for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 55% for Mathematical Literacy OR • A Higher Certificate in Business Studies or an equivalent qualification Students who graduated with a Higher Certificate in Business Studies will be considered for admission to the Extended Diploma in Economics, provided: o they have not interrupted their studies for the Higher Certificate; o they have achieved the minimum pass requirement of 50% for all the modules that constitute the curriculum of the qualification; and o they have graduated within the maximum time frame of 2 years of full-time study.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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