Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci)
Do you have a passion for computers, math, and discovering answers through data analysis? The Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci) programme will give you a thorough grounding in all aspects of the data lifecycle, including data collection, processing, analysis, and visualisation. Also, to better prepare you for industry, you choose one of eight focus areas (or streams). This ensures that you either develop expertise for applying data science in a specific area, or specialise in a certain aspect of data science. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical learning, deep learning, big data - these are all concepts at the core of the discipline called Data Science.
Work across nearly all domains is becoming more data-driven. Graduates from this programme should be sought-after in a multitude of environments facing the challenges posed by the large quantities of data being generated and collected almost everywhere.
Contact information
Programme overview
Duration
Four years
Campus
Stellenbosch
More information
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Career opportunities
Analytics and Optimisation: Operations research is an analytical approach to data-driven problem-solving and decision-making. Problems are broken down into basic components and then solved in defined steps by mathematical methods. Operations researchers use mathematical optimisation to determine the best performance under the given circumstances. They use simulation to experiment and test solutions before implementing them and analytics to uncover risks and helpful insights, and to make reliable predictions. The techniques presented in this focal area give data scientists a unique edge in finding optimal solutions to real-world problems, and they open doors to careers in areas like business analysis and consulting.
Behavioural Economics: Data scientists often work with data that capture aspects of human behaviour and reflect decisions made by investors, consumers, workers, politicians, companies and managers. Behavioural economics investigates how psychological and economic factors affect these decisions. This focal area will equip you with the skills, models and theories to understand, predict and influence human behaviour.
Statistical Learning: In almost all environments, decision-making is driven by massive amounts of data, which means that there is a dire need for skilled individuals who can make sense of this data deluge. In general, data science entails the gathering and storage of data, the transformation and graphical representation of data and the analysis of data to make predictions or inferences. The statistical learning focal area entails identifying trends and patterns in data and using these to construct statistical models, which can be used to predict or classify. This is an important task across all industries, meaning that individuals with these particular skills can work on solving real-world problems found in a variety of domains.
Behavioural Economics: Data scientists often work with data that capture aspects of human behaviour and reflect decisions made by investors, consumers, workers, politicians, companies and managers. Behavioural economics investigates how psychological and economic factors affect these decisions. This focal area will equip you with the skills, models and theories to understand, predict and influence human behaviour.
Statistical Learning: In almost all environments, decision-making is driven by massive amounts of data, which means that there is a dire need for skilled individuals who can make sense of this data deluge. In general, data science entails the gathering and storage of data, the transformation and graphical representation of data and the analysis of data to make predictions or inferences. The statistical learning focal area entails identifying trends and patterns in data and using these to construct statistical models, which can be used to predict or classify. This is an important task across all industries, meaning that individuals with these particular skills can work on solving real-world problems found in a variety of domains.
Occupations:
Analyst
Scientist
Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB
- An aggregate of at least 80% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Mathematics 80%
- Afrikaans Home Language 60% OR English Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans First Additional Language 75% OR English First Additional Language 75%
- Mathematics 80%
- Afrikaans Home Language 60% OR English Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans First Additional Language 75% OR English First Additional Language 75%
Minimum admission requirements – International curricula
IEB-ISC
IEB-ISC write NBTs AQL and MAT IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 80% (excluding Active Citizenry)
- Mathematics 80%
- English Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans First Additional Language 75% OR English First Additional Language 75%
German Abitur
University Exemption with 80% average
English 6 (Nam 8)
Maths 11 (Nam 12)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
University Exemption with 80% average
English First Language 4 on HL or as a Second Language 5 on HL or 6 on SL
Maths 6 on SL OR Maths 5 on HL
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
80% average
English First Language C on AS-Level/GCSE/O-Level or as a Second Language C on AS-Level or B on GCSE/O-Level
Maths A on AS-Level
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
80% average
English First Language E on A-Level or C on GCSE/O-Level
Maths C on A-Level
IEB-ISC write NBTs AQL and MAT IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 80% (excluding Active Citizenry)
- Mathematics 80%
- English Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans Home Language 60% OR Afrikaans First Additional Language 75% OR English First Additional Language 75%
German Abitur
University Exemption with 80% average
English 6 (Nam 8)
Maths 11 (Nam 12)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
University Exemption with 80% average
English First Language 4 on HL or as a Second Language 5 on HL or 6 on SL
Maths 6 on SL OR Maths 5 on HL
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
80% average
English First Language C on AS-Level/GCSE/O-Level or as a Second Language C on AS-Level or B on GCSE/O-Level
Maths A on AS-Level
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
80% average
English First Language E on A-Level or C on GCSE/O-Level
Maths C on A-Level
Programme structure
Full-time
Last updated
01 April 2026
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The University reserves the right to amend the information on this webpage at any time. While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete, it may be subject to change or become outdated. It remains the responsibility of prospective students to verify all details against the relevant faculty yearbook or directly with the relevant department.