5 Best Computer Science Universities in South Africa

Technology has exponentially grown over the years. Companies are constantly innovating to meet the demands of society. These modern technologies aim to make our daily lives as comfortable as possible. The demand for graduates in the IT industry and Computer Science has never been higher.

Computer Science goes beyond the world of computing. It branches to various industries and graduates of this competitive field have several options as a professional career. Students can choose to study Computer Science in their respective states or immerse themselves in the cultures of other countries. In this article, we will be looking at top universities in South Africa for computer science.

Helpful Posts

Related Scholarships

Is South Africa a good country to study Computer Science?

The number of international students coming to South Africa to study increases every year. South Africa is a diverse country making it a great place for students to broaden their network and meet new people from different cultures. Although the country officially has 11 languages, most of the courses in the universities are taught in English.

Cost of Studying Computer Science in South Africa

The government of South Africa has been focused to make sure that institutions meet the level of education provided by other countries. Studying and living in South Africa is relatively affordable compared to other countries like the US or Europe. The exchange rates are also very favorable. The country has been ranked as one of the most affordable countries to live in.

What Degrees are offered for Computer Science in South Africa?

Universities offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as well as Doctor of Philosophy. Most of the undergraduate degrees in South Africa are three-year degree programmes.

Best Universities in South Africa with Computer Science

1. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

  • Computer Science Program links:
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology, Master of Science in Computer Science by Research, Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • Language of Instruction: English

The University of KwaZulu-Natal was established in 2004. It was the union between the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. These two universities were the first ones to unite in line with the government’s initiative to restructure higher education. The University of KwaZulu-Natal is the best university in South Africa to study computer science.

The study programmes will equip students with the fundamental knowledge of Computer Science. It will enable them to solve and recognize the potential problems in the utilization of digital computers in the fields of engineering, business, education, and research.

2. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)

  • Computer Science Program links:
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science (Computer Science and Information Systems), Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • Language of Instruction: English

Founded in 2005, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was the outcome of the unification between two institutions, the Port Elizabeth Campus of Vista University and the PE Technikon the University of Port Elizabeth. This merger was part of the government’s initiative to provide a more structured and unbiased system. The university is one of the largest in the Southern and Eastern Cape. There are seven campuses spread out in the municipalities of Nelson Mandela Metropole while one campus is located in George city.

As a top university in South Africa to study computer science, NMMU’s modules included in the Bachelor’s degree programme are computing fundamentals, mathematical modelling, graph theory, intro to statistical inference, and computer architecture and networks.

3. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

The University of the Witwatersrand, widely known as Wits University, is another top university in South Africa for computer science and is a public research university located in Johannesburg. It was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest universities in South Africa. Wits University has been ranked as one of the top universities in Africa by several university ranking sites. The institution is well-regarded for its research campaigns and high-quality academics. It is also one of the pioneers in several fields, making an impact in the country early on. The university also created the first dental school in the country.

The study programmes are comprehensively prepared to equip the students with the scientific and mathematical principles of Computer Science. There are several courses included in the curriculum such as database systems, computer networks, data structures, software design, and artificial intelligence.

4. University of Cape Town (UCT)

  • Computer Science Program links:
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Computer Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • Language of Instruction: English

The University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest country. It is one of the leading institutions for research and academics. Founded in 1829, it was initially established as a high school for the boys, formerly known as the South African College. The university has been constantly ranked by several university rankings as the top university in Africa. UCT consists of 6 faculties; Humanities and Science, Law, Commerce, Health Sciences, and Engineering and the Built Environment.

For the undergraduate students, they can choose to co-major in Business Computing and Computer Games Development. They also have an option to specialize in the field of Computer Engineering. The Commerce Faculty also offers a degree of Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems and Computer Science.

5. University of Pretoria (UP)

  • Computer Science Program links:
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computer Science, Master of Science in Computer Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
  • Language of Instruction: English

We end our list of the best Computer science universities in South Africa with the University of Pretoria, which was established in 1908. It was created with only 4 teachers and 32 students and remarkably, as of the present, it is one of the largest universities in the country. The university has secured a spot in the list of the top universities in the world. For the past two decades, the university has strategically collaborated with several universities and institutions around the globe.

The degree programmes will provide the students with vital skills in computing. It will prepare them for a career in the field of Information Technology.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page.