South Africa, located at the southern tip of Africa, is recognized worldwide for its distinctive landmarks, diverse communities, and rich cultural heritage. Officially known as the Republic of South Africa, the country had an estimated population of about 63.1 million in 2025. Its Constitution now recognizes 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language.
Tourists can find a wide range of experiences in South Africa. Those who enjoy the energy of city life will find it in places such as Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, while travelers who prefer wildlife and outdoor adventure will also have many options. From Durban’s food scene to Cape Town’s beaches, there is a lot to discover in the country.
South Africa’s school system runs from Grade R to Grade 12. Basic education is organized into the Foundation Phase (Grades R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6), Senior Phase (Grades 7–9), and Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10–12).
Schooling is compulsory for children from age 7 to 15, or until they complete Grade 9, whichever comes first. After Grade 9, students may continue through Grades 10 to 12 in school or pursue other post-school education and training options. South Africa has public schools, independent/private schools, international schools, and other specialized education providers.
Data science skills have become increasingly important in South Africa as employers seek professionals who can work with data, analytics, machine learning, and digital technologies. In this article, we will look at selected universities offering data science-related programs in South Africa.
Top Schools Offering Data Science in South Africa
1. University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was formed on January 1, 2004, after the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. UKZN is a research-led university organized through a college model and has campuses in Edgewood, Howard College, the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Pietermaritzburg, and Westville.
UKZN’s current data science offerings include an undergraduate BSc path combining Statistics and Computer Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science, and a Master’s in Data Science. These programs are designed to build quantitative, computational, and analytical skills for careers in data science.
2. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Honours, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s
Established as a full university in 1922, the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is commonly known as Wits University. Located in Johannesburg, Wits has campuses and facilities in Braamfontein and Parktown, five faculties, 11 libraries, and a broad range of academic programs.
Wits remains one of Africa’s top-ranked universities. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, Wits is ranked #302 globally, and in the QS World University Rankings: Sub-Saharan Africa 2026, it is ranked #3 in the region.
The Wits Institute of Data Science (WIDS) focuses on interdisciplinary research, innovation, and training in data science and machine intelligence. Current data science-related offerings at Wits include the BSc Honours in Big Data Analytics, the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Data Science, and the MSc in Data Science.
3. University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a public research university founded in 1908. It began as a small center of learning in a house called Kya Rosa, with four professors, three lecturers, and 32 students. Today, it offers a wide range of study programs to a diverse community of students.
The university has seven campuses: Hatfield, Hillcrest, Groenkloof, Prinshof, Onderstepoort, Mamelodi, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Illovo, Johannesburg.
At the University of Pretoria, students can study the BCom specializing in Statistics and Data Science at undergraduate level and the MIT specializing in Big Data Science (Coursework) at master’s level. The master’s program is multidisciplinary, taught in English, and requires a minimum of two years of study.
4. Stellenbosch University
A public research university located in the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University traces its roots to the Theological Seminary opened in Stellenbosch in 1859 and became an independent university in 1918.
The university has 10 faculties: AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Military Science, Science, and Theology.
Stellenbosch University has offered the Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci) since 2021. The BDatSci is an interdisciplinary four-year degree offered through multiple faculties, and students can choose focal areas linked to data-rich fields. The university’s School for Data Science and Computational Thinking also brings together undergraduate programs, postgraduate degrees, research, and short courses in data science and computational thinking.
5. University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a public university located in Bellville, Cape Town. Its first group of students enrolled in 1960. Today, UWC has more than 23,000 students across seven faculties: Arts and Humanities, Community Health Sciences, Dentistry, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Law, and Natural Sciences.
UWC formally launched its Master’s Programme in Data Science on March 28, 2018. The university’s current data science options include the BSc Honours in Statistical Science with Data Science and the MSc in Statistical Science with specialization in Data Science. The master’s program is industry-directed and is linked to business analytics, real-world projects, and professional networks.
We hope that this article on universities offering data science in South Africa was helpful. If you are interested, feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
