MA e-Science at University of the Witwatersrand

Programme overview

Learn to use statistical methods to conduct data-driven research in the Humanities and improve your understanding of Data Science. This MA programme aims to train postgraduate students in the use of statistical methods to conduct data-driven research in the social sciences and humanities and will create opportunities for students to develop an interdisciplinary perspective on the emerging fields of Data Science. The curriculum prepares candidates in Social Sciences and Humanities for the growing areas of data science.

Faculty: Humanities | Department: Social Sciences | Duration: 18 to 24 months | Study mode: full-time | Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

What you will study

The programme comprises compulsory and elective modules (with alternative MSc courses available by special permission to students who meet the prerequisites). Cross-disciplinary data-driven projects are offered both within the University and from a wide range of industry partners. A candidate must undertake modules to the value of 180 credits and must successfully complete the following courses to

Career pathways

Career opportunities vary depending on graduates’ areas of specialisation in the social sciences or humanities, but they fall in two main categories. The first consists of newly emerging data-oriented research positions that explicitly target those with expertise in the social sciences and humanities — in academic institutions, social and policy research organisations (governmental and non-governm

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree with Honours (NQF level 8 qualification) from a relevant discipline or field in the social sciences or humanities. Along with strong substantive knowledge in a relevant discipline or field, they must have a demonstrable knowledge of basic principles of quantitative social research (but need not have a previous specialisation in statistics or statistical computing). Applicants require a minimum of 65 percent in their NQF level 8 qualification to be considered, and they must fulfil any additional institutional application requirements of the institution through which they are applying, and must be co-approved by the Consortium.

ZAR 61,450 for the whole programme (2026). Average tuition fee per programme for 2026 as stated in the 2026 Fees Book, Chapter 2 (Average Tuition Fees); excludes additional charges (notes, computer, lab and other fees). Postgraduate international students pay local tuition plus the non-refundable Source

Postgraduate applications are made online at www.wits.ac.za/applications; the closing date for each programme is listed in its course finder entry. The application fee is R200 (not payable by current Wits students applying online), paid via the Self-Service Portal or by EFT to the Wits University Application Fees account at FNB.

Apply through the official page: https://www.wits.ac.za/applications

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