Are you a South African or International student and you are looking for the best universities 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 stood the test of time and are trusted for quality education in computer science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the report, the demand for IT professionals has increased by 13% since 2015. An increase in salaries has accompanied this growth in demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This increase in hiring activity and salaries is great news for job seekers in the field, and for those who plan on studying IT or computer sciences at university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But which university should a prospective student choose to get the best-quality education and degree?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MyBroadband spoke to South Africa\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> top universities to find out what they can offer IT and computer science students. Please note that the universities are not listed in any order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wits has invested over R4 million in furnishing its new computer laboratory at its School of Electrical and Information Engineering, allowing it to deliver courses with a \u201clarge computing component\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also have software laboratories, which are used by our postgraduate students doing research, such as the Convergence Lab and the Telecommunications Laboratory,\u201d said Wits, adding that it is home to one of two IBM Research Laboratories in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wits also recently merged its School of Computer Science with the Wits School of Computational and Applied Mathematics to form the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (CSAM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wits offers a four-year engineering degree focusing on information engineering and accommodate 250 first-year students annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first and second-year courses are standard for all Electrical and Information Engineering students. In the third year, a student can choose their curriculum in either Electrical or Information Engineering<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Degrees available include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university\u2019s information engineering researchers are also involved in the following projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Computer Science program at Wits includes a \u201csignificant amount\u201d of programming in all courses at an undergraduate level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStudents are introduced to high-performance computing, data science and big data, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, networking, databases, and theoretical computer science,\u201d said Wits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Computer Science program will also partner with the advanced Mathematics of Finance program to develop innovative courses in computing in finance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CSAM School currently has 280 undergraduate students<\/a><\/strong> and over 50 honors students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Degrees on offer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honors, Master\u2019s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral options are also available to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWits provides a stimulating environment, and our students are selected regularly to participate in international competitions where they compete against the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Pretoria\u2019s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (EBIT) is one of the best in the world, said the university, with its engineering ranked in the top 1% globally \u2013 according to International Science Index\u2019s Essential Science Indicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUP is one of the few universities that offers all the main disciplines in engineering, such as Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical and Aeronautical, Metallurgical, and Mining Engineering<\/a><\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n UP\u2019s EBIT Faculty has around 11,700 students, making it the largest Faculty at UP. The annual intake of new first-year engineering students is approximately 1,400.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EBIT facility has the only A-rated Professor in Computer Science in South Africa, said UP. At the same time, the BCom Informatics degree is the only degree in Africa that the Accreditation Board internationally accredits for Engineering and Technology of the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The facility also has the only Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAccording to industry visitors, the modern and well-equipped facilities in the EBIT faculty has been one of the key attractions to our campus, while the high expectations that professors set for their students make EBIT graduates highly sought after by the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The School of IT at UP takes in around 500 first-year students a year, and offers the following courses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Department of Information Science in the School of IT is also the host for the African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics research center.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Computer Science division at Stellenbosch University is one of three divisions in its Department of Mathematical Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are one of the smaller computer science departments in the country, but it highly sought our students after because they graduate with strong programming skills and a solid theoretical basis,\u201d said the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stellenbosch can accommodate over 300 first-year students, including those taking Computer Science as an elective but not as their third-year major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Courses available in Computer Science at the university include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Faculty of Science offers BSc Mathematical Sciences: Computer Science. Computer Science will be your major subject that can lead to an honors degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences offers the BCom Mathematical Statistics and Operations Research program with an option to focus on Computer Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Faculty of Engineering offers a BEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with the option to focus on Computer Science. The engineering students follow the same Computer Science courses as BSc students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA feature of our department is our focus on entrepreneurship and practical experience. Last year, two MSc students won \u20ac25,000 for the WorkMode app they developed for Ericsson\u2019s applications competition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university said their postgraduate students also gain entry into doctoral research programs internationally, such as those hosted by Oxford University and Carnegie Mellon University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Johannesburg\u2019s Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering takes in around 370 first-year students each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Academy is the only university faculty in the southern hemisphere that offers a BSc IT degree accredited by the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT, said UJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe BSc Hons IT has been fully re-accredited for five years. Students studying at the Academy can forego the examinations to become internationally Chartered IT Professionals subject to terms and conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students at the Academy can choose between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor students who need a little more support in mathematics, the Academy also offers a four-year extended degree program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Academy maintains strong industry relationships and uses its alumni community to ensure that people active in the IT industry teach students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn example of such collaboration with industry is the introduction next year of an honors level course in DevOps, which will be taught by one of the top three South Africans in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n UJ said final-year undergraduate students also take part in a year-long group project solving a real-world industry problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cProjects are entered into the Microsoft Imagine Cup, with the UJ Academy winning the national finals four times in the past six years. Teams from the Academy have won the Discovery Hackathon in South Africa twice \u2013 2014 and 2015 \u2013 since its inception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NMMU hosts a Department of Computing Sciences and a School of ICT, which different faculties run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NMMU takes in around 120 first-year students each year \u2013 with the capacity for more \u2013 and offers the following Computer Science degrees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBCom and BSc honor in Computer Science, MCom and MSc in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science are also available,\u201d said NMMU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university said it runs a \u201chybrid department\u201d which offers Computer Science and Information Systems modules in all its degrees, which it says is a standout feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith 11 Ph.D. full-time staff members, we are one of the best-qualified computing departments in the country. We are also one of a few computing departments with a fully-equipped Usability Laboratory.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n NMMU also hosts a Telkom Centre of Excellence and international collaboration with the University of Oldenburg in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Information Technology courses at NMMU include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Higher Certificate Information Technology course takes in 130 new students over two campuses yearly, while the Diploma Information Technology course takes in 350 students annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cProf Paula Kotz\u00e9, an Adjunct Professor in the School of ICT and a Senior Researcher in the Centre for Community Technologies, was awarded the International 2014 IFIP TC13 Pioneers in Human-\u00adComputer Interaction Award. The professor is also an NRF B-rated researcher,\u201d said the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2014, two NMMU students were selected as international finalists in the game design category of the Microsoft ImagineCup \u2013 the first time a South African game design project has made it to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university also offers a Cisco Academy Support Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of Cape Town\u2019s Department of Information Systems takes in over 1,200 first-year students each year. It offers a variety of programs, while Computer Science is taught as a major subject in the Bachelor of Science degree within the Science Faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The university offers a BSc in Computer Science degree to students, which also caters to those wanting to study computer engineering or computer game development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStudents who get both the BSc Computer Science and the BSc Honours in Computer Science at UCT become Chartered I.T. Professionals (UK) since the British Computer Society accredits these degrees as being of an international standard,\u201d said UCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Computer Science Honours degree allows students to enter MSc and Ph.D. programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComputing can also be combined with Information Systems as part of a BCom degree within the Commerce Faculty. While Business Science is a four-year degree offering business knowledge along with Computer Science, the BCom in Information Systems and Computer Science is a 3-year degree offering fewer business courses and more computing courses,\u201d said UCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer Science students can also continue their studies once graduating, with honors degrees, Master\u2019s in Information Technology or Computer Science, and Ph.D. options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For undergraduate students, the Department of Information Systems offers the following degrees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Postgraduate courses include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn all courses up to Honours level, extensive practical project work is done with a variety of system development tools. At senior levels, students interact with real clients outside the university, building valuable career skills while developing small commercial applications,\u201d said UCT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur IS undergraduate classes are now smaller and students are receiving more personal attention from academic staff than before. Our IS programs are preparing students to enter a high-demand area with a projected severe shortage of graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This University is one of the best universities in South Africa to study Computer Science. The school offers an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, a BSc in Information Systems, and a four-year BSc in Software Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honors degrees and Master\u2019s degrees by thesis, or by coursework and thesis (part-time), are also available at Rhodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Computer Science department is headed by Professor George Wells, who completed his Ph.D. in Parallel and Distributed Computing at the University of Bristol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhodes University<\/strong> was asked to provide feedback but did not respond by the time of publication. Information in the article was taken from the university\u2019s websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This citadel of knowledge offers Computer Science and Information Technology qualifications at its Potchefstroom campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Undergraduate students can study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Postgraduate students can choose from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Estelle Taylor is the subject chair and senior lecturer for the faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North-West University<\/strong> was asked to provide feedback but did not respond by the time of publication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The University of KwaZulu-Natal offers Computer Science as a major for the BSc degree and in the BSc(CSIT) program at its Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The College of Agriculture oversees falling under the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science,, Engineering, and Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStudents majoring in Computer Science for the BSc degree typically offer either Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry or Economics as a second major,\u201d said UKZN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStudents in the BSc(CSIT) program may choose to major in Computer Science and in Information Systems, or may choose to double major in Computer Science.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n UKZN<\/strong> was asked to provide feedback but did not respond by the time of publication. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTable of contents<\/h2>
List Of The Best School In South Africa To Study Computer Science And IT<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Electrical and Information Engineering<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Computational Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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#2. University of Pretoria (UP)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Computer Science, IT, and Informatics<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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#3.Stellenbosch University<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
BSc Computer Science<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BCom Computer Science<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Practical experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#4. University of Johannesburg (UJ)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Practical application<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
#5. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Computing Sciences<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Information Technology<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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#6. University of Cape Town (UCT)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Computer Science<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Information Systems<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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#7. Rhodes University<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#8. North-West University<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#9. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RECOMMENDATIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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