There is no single national set of data science requirements. Each South African university sets its own entry rules, so what you need depends on the programme and the institution. The postgraduate routes are the easiest to pin down: at Wits, for example, the PGDip Data Science takes a Bachelor’s degree or an NQF level 7 qualification plus mathematics at matric equivalent to above 60%.
Most formal data science qualifications are postgraduate, so this page explains how those routes work and where to check the undergraduate requirements for the university you have in mind.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Entry depends on the level you are applying for. The Wits postgraduate programmes show the pattern:
- PGDip Data Science: a Bachelor’s degree or NQF level 7 qualification, and mathematics equivalent to above 60% at matric level. No computer science or university-level mathematics is required.
- BSc Honours in Big Data Analytics: a BSc (NQF level 7) with a Computer Science major or closely related field, including at least second-year Computer Science and Mathematics.
- MSc Data Science: a minimum average of 75 percent and a relevant BSc Honours (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Statistics) or relevant NQF level 8 qualification.
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, and other universities set different rules.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Under the national framework, a Bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement for a Bachelor Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma. Both of those sit at NQF level 8 and carry a minimum of 120 credits at that level, according to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework published by the Council on Higher Education.
The Wits Big Data Analytics honours programme is described as highly selective, and the MSc Data Science page states that meeting the criteria does not guarantee admission.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
For postgraduate entry, the subject requirement is mainly university-level: the degree you hold, the majors in it and your average. The one school-level subject condition we can point to is the Wits PGDip requirement of mathematics equivalent to above 60% at matric.
For undergraduate data science or a BSc with a data science stream, the subject and APS requirements are set by the faculty and change each admission cycle. Check the programme page of the university you are applying to for the current subjects and points score, rather than relying on a general figure.
Documents and Application Requirements
At Wits, postgraduate applications go through the Student Enrolment Centre. Documents are uploaded when you apply or later through the Self Service Portal, and the PGDip also asks for an additional Google Form. Use the programme page for the current list. Other universities have their own application systems and document lists.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Wits lists a closing date of 30 November for these postgraduate programmes in the 2026/27 cycle. Dates change from year to year, so check the programme page for the intake you want.
Because the PGDip accepts any Bachelor’s degree or NQF level 7 qualification with the required mathematics, it is the route most open to graduates from other fields. The MSc and honours programmes expect a stronger quantitative background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main data science qualifications in South Africa?
Formal data science qualifications include postgraduate diplomas (such as the Wits PGDip Data Science), honours degrees (such as the Wits BSc Honours in Big Data Analytics) and master’s programmes (such as the Wits MSc Data Science). Other universities offer their own versions.
Is a data science qualification at NQF level 8?
The Bachelor Honours degree and the Postgraduate Diploma are both NQF level 8 qualifications, so an honours degree or PGDip in data science sits at NQF level 8. A master’s degree is a higher level again.
Can I move into data science from another degree?
Yes, at postgraduate level. The Wits PGDip accepts a Bachelor’s degree or NQF level 7 qualification from any field, provided you meet the mathematics requirement of above 60% at matric level. The MSc needs a relevant honours or NQF level 8 qualification and a 75 percent average.
Do I need programming experience before applying?
For the Wits PGDip, no computer science is required. The honours programme expects second-year Computer Science. Check each programme page, because requirements differ between universities and programmes.
Can I study data science with Mathematical Literacy?
Mathematics is central to the entry rules we can point to, such as the Wits PGDip mathematics requirement. Ask the university’s admissions office whether Mathematical Literacy is accepted for the specific programme you want.
Confirm the current rules with the admissions office of the university you are applying to (for Wits, the undergraduate admissions page) before you apply. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.