Data Scientist / Data Analyst
Turn company data into decisions using statistics, dashboards and machine learning.
What the job involves
- Clean and analyse large datasets.
- Build dashboards and predictive models.
- Explain findings to managers in plain language.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- English
- Information Technology
- Physical Sciences
- Accounting
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 30–36
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 60–70%+
- English: 55%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BSc Statistics / Mathematics / Computer Science3 years + Honours
Honours in data science or statistics is the common entry point.
- BCom Information Systems with analytics3 years
Business-facing analyst route.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R30 000 – R45 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R55 000 – R90 000 per month
- Senior
- R100 000 – R160 000 per month
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Uguqula idatha ibe yizinqumo zebhizinisi. Kudinga iMathematics eqinile.
Afrikaans: Ontleed data vir besluitneming. Sterk suiwer Wiskunde is nodig.