Are you a South African or international student seeking for the finest institutions in South Africa to study Computer Science? Below is a list of the best universities in South Africa to study Computer Science.. These schools have endured the test of time and are known for providing high-quality computer science education.
Since the beginning of 2015, the need for IT workers has climbed by 13%, according to the research.
This increase in demand has been matched by an increase in pay.
This growth in hiring and compensation is wonderful news for job searchers in the industry, as well as those planning to study IT or computer sciences at university.
But which university should a prospective student choose to get the best-quality education and degree?
MyBroadband met with South Africa’s best colleges to learn more about what they have to offer students interested in IT and computer science. Please keep in mind that the universities are not listed in any certain sequence.
Simply take your time and read this post; onlinestudyingservices has compiled all of the information you require regarding The Best Universities in South Africa to Study Computer Science and IT.
List Of The Best School In South Africa To Study Computer Science And IT
1.University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Wits has spent more than R4 million to outfit its new computer lab at the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, allowing it to offer courses with a “major computing component.”
“We also have software laboratories, such as the Convergence Lab and the Telecommunications Laboratory, which are used by our postgraduate students doing research,” Wits added, adding that it is home to one of two IBM Research Laboratories in Africa.
Wits’ School of Computer Science and the Wits School of Computational and Applied Mathematics recently amalgamated to establish the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (CSAM).
Electrical and Information Engineering
Wits University offers a four-year engineering degree with a focus on information engineering, with 250 first-year students accepted each year.
All Electrical and Information Engineering students must take the first and second year courses. In their third year, students can choose between Electrical and Information Engineering as their major.
The following degrees are available:
- BSc (Eng) Hon Electrical and Information Engineering – 4 years
- BEng Biomedical Engineering – 3 Years
- BEng Digital Arts – 3 Years
The university’s information engineering researchers are also involved in the following projects:
- Software Development Methodologies
- Smart Electricity Grids
- Big Data
- Bioinformatics
Computational Sciences
All undergraduate courses in the Wits Computer Science department include a “substantial amount” of programming.
“High-performance computing, data science and big data, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, networking, databases, and theoretical computer science are all introduced to students,” Wits stated.
“The Computer Science program will collaborate with the Advanced Mathematics of Finance department to offer cutting-edge financial computer courses.”
Currently, the CSAM School includes 280 undergraduate students and more than 50 honors students.
Degrees on offer include:
- BSc Computational and Applied Mathematics
- BSc Computer Science
Honors, Master’s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral options are also available to students.
“In addition, Wits provides a stimulating atmosphere, with our students being picked on a regular basis to compete in international contests against the finest.”
2.University of Pretoria (UP)
University of Pretoria
According to the International Science Index’s Essential Science Indicators, the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (EBIT) is one of the best in the world. Its engineering is ranked in the top 1% globally.
“UP is one of the few colleges in the country that offers all of the major engineering disciplines, including Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical, and Aeronautical Engineering, Metallurgical, and Mining Engineering.”
The EBIT Faculty at UP has over 11,700 students, making it the university’s largest faculty. Around 1,400 new first-year engineering students are admitted each year.
Computer Science, IT, and Informatics
According to UP, the EBIT facility boasts South Africa’s only A-rated Professor of Computer Science, and the BCom Informatics degree is Africa’s sole internationally approved degree by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology of the United States.
The complex also houses Africa’s only Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre.
“According to industry visitors, one of the main attractions to our campus is the EBIT faculty’s modern and well-equipped facilities, while instructors’ high expectations for their students make EBIT graduates highly sought after by the industry.”
The School of Information Technology at UP accepts approximately 500 first-year students each year and offers the following courses:
- Bachelor of Information Science with focus on Multimedia or Publishing
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
“The Department of Information Science in the School of IT is also the host for the African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics research center.”
3.Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University student
Stellenbosch University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences has three divisions, one of which is Computer Science.
“We are one of the country’s smaller computer science departments, but our graduates are in high demand since they graduate with good programming abilities and a solid theoretical foundation,” the institution added.
Over 300 first-year students can be accommodated at Stellenbosch, which includes students who take Computer Science as an elective but not as a third-year major.
The university offers the following courses in the discipline of computer science:
BSc Computer Science
The Faculty of Science offers BSc Mathematical Sciences: Computer Science. Computer Science will be your major subject that can lead to an honors degree.
BCom Computer Science
The BCom Mathematical Statistics and Operations Research degree, with a focus on Computer Science, is offered by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
A BEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a Computer Science concentration is available from the Faculty of Engineering. Students in engineering take the same Computer Science courses as those in BSc.
Practical experience
“One of our department’s distinguishing features is our emphasis on entrepreneurship and practical experience. Last year, two MSc students won €25,000 in Ericsson’s application competition for the WorkMode software they created.”
According to the university, their postgraduate students are accepted into PhD research programs around the world, including those at Oxford University and Carnegie Mellon University.
4.University of Johannesburg (UJ)
University of Johannesburg
- Every year, roughly 370 first-year students enroll at the University of Johannesburg’s Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
According to UJ, the Academy is the only university department in the southern hemisphere to offer a BSc IT degree from the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT.
“For the next five years, the BSc Hons IT has been fully reaccredited.”
Students at the Academy can skip the exams and become internationally Chartered IT Professionals instead, subject to certain conditions.”
Students at the Academy can pick from the following options:
BSc IT
- BSc Computer Science and Informatics
“For students who need a little more support in mathematics, the Academy also offers a four-year extended degree program.”
Practical application
“To ensure that students are taught by professionals who are active in the IT industry, the Academy maintains strong industry contacts and makes use of its active alumni network.”
“An example of such industry engagement is the implementation next year of an honors level DevOps course taught by one of the top three South Africans in this sector.”
Final-year undergraduate students also take part in a year-long group project that involves solving a real-world corporate challenge, according to UJ.
“Projects are submitted to the Microsoft Imagine Cup, with the University of Johannesburg Academy winning the national finals four times in the last six years.
Since its start in 2014, teams from the Academy have won the Discovery Hackathon in South Africa twice — in 2014 and 2015.
5.Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)
NMMU
NMMU hosts a Department of Computing Sciences and a School of ICT, which are run through different faculties.
Computing Sciences
NMMU takes in around 120 first-year students each year – with capacity for more – and offers the following Computer Science degrees:
- BSc Computer Science
- BSc Information Systems
- BCom Computer Science and Information Systems
- BCom Information Systems
- BCom Accounting Sciences (four-year degree for Chartered Accountants who also major in Computing Sciences)
“We provide a BCom and BSc honors in Computer Science, as well as MCom and MSc degrees in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Computer Science,” according to NMMU.
The university claims to have a “hybrid department” that includes Computer Science and Information Systems modules in all of its degrees, claiming this to be a unique feature.
“We have one of the best-qualified computer departments in the country, with 11 Ph.D. full-time staff members.” We also have a fully-equipped Usability Laboratory, making us one of the few computing departments with one.”
In addition, NMMU houses a Telkom Centre of Excellence and collaborates internationally with the University of Oldenburg in Germany.
Information Technology
Information Technology courses at NMMU include:
- Higher Certificate
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Masters
- PhD
Each year, 130 new students enroll in the Higher Certificate Information Technology program across two campuses, while 350 students enroll in the Diploma Information Technology program.
“Professor Paula Kotzé, an Adjunct Professor in the School of ICT and a Senior Researcher in the Centre for Community Technologies, received the 2014 IFIP TC13 Pioneers in Human-Computer Interaction Award. According to the institution, the professor is also an NRF B-rated researcher.
Two NMMU students were named international finalists in the Microsoft ImagineCup game design category in 2014, marking the first time a South African game design project made it to the finals.
A Cisco Academy Support Centre is also available at the campus.
6.University of Cape Town (UCT)
UCT
The Department of Information Systems at the University of Cape Town accepts around 1,200 first-year students each year and provides a number of degrees, while Computer Science is a key subject in the Science Faculty’s Bachelor of Science degree.
Computer Science
Students can pursue a BSc in Computer Science degree at the university, which also caters to individuals interested in computer engineering or game creation.
“Students who complete both the BSc Computer Science and the BSc Honours in Computer Science at UCT become Chartered I.T. Professionals (UK),” according to UCT.
Students with a Computer Science Honours degree can then apply to MSc and Ph.D. programs.
“Computing and Information Systems can be combined as part of a BCom degree in the Commerce Faculty. “While Business Science is a four-year degree that combines business and computer science, the BCom in Information Systems and Computer Science is a three-year degree that focuses on computing rather than business,” according to UCT.
Students in computer science can continue their education after graduation with honors degrees or a Master’s in Information Technology.
Information Systems
For undergraduate students, the Department of Information Systems offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Business Sciences
Postgraduate courses include:
- Information Systems – Honours
- Master of Commerce in Information Systems
- Doctorate in Information Systems
“Extensive practical project work is done with a variety of system development tools in all levels up to Honours level.” Students at the senior level deal with real clients outside of the university, learning vital job skills while developing small commercial apps,” according to UCT.
“Our IS undergraduate classrooms have shrunk in size, and students are receiving more one-on-one attention from academic staff than they were previously. Our information technology programs prepare students for a high-demand field with a projected severe lack of graduates.”
7.Rhodes University
Rhodes University
“Extensive learning is required in all courses up to Honours level.” Rhodes University is one of South Africa’s leading universities for studying computer science. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, a bachelor’s degree in information systems, and a four-year bachelor’s degree in software development are all available at the school.
Rhodes also offers honors and master’s degrees via thesis, as well as coursework and thesis (part-time).
Professor George Wells, who earned his Ph.D. in Parallel and Distributed Computing from the University of Bristol, leads the Computer Science department.
Rhodes University was contacted for feedback, but did not react by the time this article was published. The article’s data was gathered from the university’s websites. A range of system development tools are used in the practical project work. Students at the senior level deal with real clients outside of the university, learning vital job skills while developing small commercial apps,” according to UCT.
8.North-West University
North-West University
North-West University offers Computer Science and Information Technology qualifications at its Potchefstroom campus.
Undergraduate students can study:
- BSc Computer and Mathematical Sciences
- BSc Information Technology-Computer Science
Postgraduate students can choose from:
- Honors BSc Computer Science and Information Systems
- Honors BCom Computer Science and Information Systems
- MCom Computer Science and Information Systems
- Ph.D. in Computer Science
Dr. Estelle Taylor is the subject chair and senior lecturer for the faculty.
North-West University was asked to provide feedback but did not respond by the time of publication. Information in the article was taken from the university’s websites.
9.University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
UKZN
At its Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses, the University of KwaZulu-Natal offers Computer Science as a major for the BSc degree and the BSc(CSIT) program.
The qualifications are governed by the College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science and fall under the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
“Typically, students majoring in Computer Science for a BSc degree offer Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, or Economics as a second major,” according to UKZN.
“In the BSc(CSIT) program, students can major in Computer Science and Information Systems, or do a double major in Computer Science and Information Systems.”
UKZN was asked to provide feedback but did not respond by the time of publication. Information in the article was taken from the university’s websites.
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