Faculty of Economic and BCom (Statistics

Management Sciences and Data Science)

Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe
Lefapha la Disaense tša Ekonomi le Taolo

Make today matter

What does the programme entail?

Who are the ideal candidates?
The three-year BCom (Statistics and Data Science) degree programme
trains students in the science of extracting information from data. Characteristics of students who excel in this
This qualification equips statisticians for employment in data programme are:
science environments and increases the scope of possible jobs they ƒ Strong numerical skills
could consider in practically any industry. It lays the foundation for ƒ Interest in computers and computer programming
scientifically accountable conclusions, planning and estimation. ƒ Logical reasoning ability
ƒ Interest in planning and in analysing problems
Structure of the programme ƒ Good language and communication skills
ƒ Strong problem-solving skills
Core modules (compulsory) ƒ Inquisitive
Note: All first-year students take the compulsory fundamental modules ƒ Innovative
on academic information management and academic literacy for EMS. ƒ Team player
ƒ Critical thinking skills
ƒ Agile mind
1st year 2nd year Final year ƒ Adaptability
ƒ Statistics or ƒ Statistics or ƒ Statistics or
Mathematical Mathematical Mathematical
statistics statistics statistics
ƒ Economics ƒ Communication ‘Throughout my life I have
ƒ Financial management been preoccupied with
accounting
numbers and probabilities.
ƒ Business
management I have often wondered
ƒ Informatics about whether we can
(accounting predict what will happen to
software) humanity in the near future,
how fast our population is
Elective modules
growing, and even what the
1st year 2nd year Final year next winning Lotto numbers
ƒ Mathematics ƒ Mathematics ƒ Mathematics might be. I chose to study BCom (Statistics and
ƒ Informatics ƒ Informatics ƒ Agricultural Data Science) as it gives me the opportunity to gain
ƒ Financial ƒ Agricultural economics
the analytical skills needed to better understand
management economics ƒ Actuarial
ƒ Economics ƒ Actuarial mathematics what is happening now and might happen in the
ƒ Computer mathematics ƒ Economics future. Studying statistics has given me a broad
science ƒ Economics ƒ Business knowledge of data science principles and coding
ƒ Business accounting accounting languages. Modules such as Applications in Data
ƒ Introduction to
Science, Statistics and Economics have dramatically
moral and political
philosophy improved my mathematical skills, which also
impacts the logical decisions I make in my everyday
life. In fact, it has taught me how to read between
What makes this programme unique? the lines.’

UP Statistics and Mathematical Statistics students Cayelaem Jantjies – BCom (Statistics and Data Science)
can obtain Statistical Analysis Software (SAS)
certification from SAS, an international statistical
software developer (www.sas.com), for:
ƒ Introduction to statistical learning
ƒ Statistical learning
ƒ Introduction to big data analytics
ƒ Big data analytics

This programme also enhances students’ understating of statistics,

which is a vital part of modern life and business and is used daily
to make sense of the world around us. For example, it helps them
to understand how social media platforms personalise content
and suggestions for different people.

This programme is jointly presented with the UP Faculty of Natural

and Agricultural Sciences.

Disclaimer: Refer to the faculty brochure at www.up.ac.za/programmes > Undergraduate

 Faculty of Economic and BCom (Statistics
Management Sciences and Data Science)
Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe
Lefapha la Disaense tša Ekonomi le Taolo (continues)

Make today matter

Career opportunities

Insurance Consumer science Banking and finance

ƒ Determining a fair premium based ƒ Understanding consumers’ behaviour ƒ Fraud detection
on the risk an insured person poses and preferences ƒ Analysing and forecasting trends
to the insurance company and ƒ Predicting demand for a product ƒ Pricing strategies
predicting claims ƒ Identifying profitable locations for
ƒ Analysing client profiles in order to new outlets
identify the need for new products

Spatial statistics Government

ƒ Advising the mining industry on sampling ƒ Advising decision makers
strategies to provide information about the on matters concerning the
characteristics of natural deposits and monetary environment, economic and
gains to be made social development, health,
ƒ Analysing patterns where crimes are committed education and infrastructure

Minimum admission requirements

Minimum requirements for NSC/IEB for 2024

Achievement level
Programmes English Home
Language APS
Mathematics
or English First
Additional Language

BCom (Statistics and Data Science)

5 5 32
[3 years]

Careers: Data scientists, statistical analysts in several industries, researchers, consultants and lecturers

Note: Accounting at school is not a subject requirement for any of the BCom and BAdmin programmes.

Contact information | Website www.up.ac.za/statistics

Disclaimer: Refer to the faculty brochure at www.up.ac.za/programmes > Undergraduate