Bachelor of Science with a major in Computer Science at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The BSc with a major in Computer Science is a three-year Bachelor of Science in UCT's Faculty of Science (plan CSC05) with at least 360 NQF credits, of which at least 180 are Science credits and at least 120 are at level 7. The major prescribes compulsory first-, second- and third-year courses in computer science.

Faculty: Faculty of Science | Department: School of IT (incorporating Computer Science and Information Systems) | Duration: 3 years (BSc, minimum); 4 years on the Extended Degree Programme | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

First year: Computer Science 1015 and 1016, a discrete mathematics, fundamentals of mathematics or statistics course, and Mathematics 1004, 1000 or 1031. Second year: Computer Science 2001 and 2002, Programming Assessment, and Systems Analysis or AI 2: Machine Learning. Third year: Networks and Operating Systems, and Advanced Programming and Algorithms.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Science (BSc), 2025 guidelines. NSC applicants need a Faculty Points Score (FPS, out of 800) of 550 or above: the sum of the percentages in the best six NSC subjects including English and excluding Life Orientation, with Mathematics and Physical Science counted twice; results below 40% in a subject earn no points. Subject requirements: Mathematics at 70% or above and Physical Science at 60% or above. Band A (guaranteed admission) is an FPS of 660 or above; Band B (admission very likely) is a Weighted Points Score of 640 or above; Band C (admission possible) is an FPS of 550 or above for South African applicants in targeted redress race groups. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee a place. All applicants write the National Benchmark Tests (Mathematics, Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy); NBT results are not used for the admission score but, with first-semester class tests and NSC results, identify students counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme. For Computer Science and Business Computing the Physical Science requirement may be replaced by Information Technology where Physical Science was not taken. Applicants choose two majors; acceptance to the faculty does not guarantee acceptance into a specific major, which is confirmed at second-year registration. Applicants with other school-leaving examinations need English, Mathematics and Chemistry and/or Physics (or Physical Science), plus the South African bachelor's endorsement; Computer Science may replace Chemistry/Physics for this major. A-level, AS-level, IGCSE/HIGCSE and IB applicants need a points score of 34 or above from their five best subjects. Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not passed English at Grade 12 or equivalent must show English proficiency (for example IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.0, or TOEFL internet-based 88, or PTE Academic 64). Transfer applicants need certified transcripts, an NBT result and a motivation letter, and must have passed all first-year courses.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications to study at UCT in 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 and close on 31 July 2026 for undergraduate study; late applications are not considered.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

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