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How to become a Mathematician / Statistician

Works on the mathematics behind science, finance and technology.

What does a Mathematician / Statistician actually do?

More about this career

Works on the maths underneath other fields – cryptography, modelling, optimisation – either in academia/research or applied in finance, tech and engineering. A pure maths or statistics degree is a strong generalist base that opens doors into actuarial work, data science and quantitative finance, not just teaching or research.

Where this degree can take you

  • Statistician
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Operations Researcher
  • Actuarial Trainee

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics (strong)

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the programmes we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 31 of 32 programmes
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 18 of 32 programmes
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 7 of 32 programmes
  • Information Technology – asked for by 2 of 32 programmes
  • Geography – asked for by 1 of 32 programmes
  • Accounting – asked for by 1 of 32 programmes

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each programme links to the page it came from.

Programmes that lead here

32 programmes at 17 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Diploma in Mathematical Sciences

Applied Sciences

CPUT APS 28 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Geography: level 4 (50% or more) OR Accounting: level 4 (50% or more) OR Business Studies: level 4 (50% or more) OR Economics: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. APS 28, or 29 with Technical Mathematics (the Extended Curriculum Programme needs level 3 in the fifth subject). CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Diploma in Mathematical Sciences (Extended Curriculum)

Applied Sciences · 4 years

CPUT APS 26 points (method varies by programme)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more) OR Technical Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • One more subject – Level 3 in one of Physical Sciences, Geography, Accounting, Business Studies or Economics.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against CPUT’s own prospectus course page. Extended Curriculum Programme (4 years). APS 26, or 27 with Technical Mathematics. CPUT calculates this programme’s APS using one of three methods, confirmed from page 3 of CPUT’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus - see CPUT_APS for the arithmetic.

Source: View the official page (prospectus.cput.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Nelson Mandela University

BSc (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Mathematical Statistics & Physics)

Science · 3 years

NMU Applicant Score (AS) 410 out of 600

  • Mathematics: 65%

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from the user-supplied NMU "Undergraduate Programmes 2027" Z-Card (A-Z table of Applicant Scores and subject percentages). The same degree serves Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Statistics and the Computer Science route.

Source: View the official page (mandela.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

North-West University

BSc (Mathematical Sciences)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

NWU APS 26 points out of 48

  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the user-supplied NWU 2026 Faculty of Natural & Agricultural Sciences yearbook (admission-requirements tables). Streams include Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics & Mathematics across NWU’s campuses: Mathematics level 5 and Physical Sciences level 4, APS 26. NWU adds your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation) on an 8-point scale, for a total out of 48 - read from NWU’s own APS calculator. The requirement shown is what NWU publishes.

Source: View the official page (natural-sciences.nwu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Rhodes University

BSc (Statistics)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (pages 13-19): points bands, English and subject levels match. Rhodes points of 39-44 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 45 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 45 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 39. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. This is Rhodes’ general Faculty of Science admission requirement, not a Statistics-specific published figure - you are admitted to the BSc and choose your major once you arrive. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page)

BSc (Mathematics, Applied and Pure)

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from the faculty table in the Rhodes 2026 Undergraduate Prospectus (18 March 2026). Rhodes points of 39-44 are at the Dean’s discretion and 45+ gets a provisional offer. The prospectus lists Mathematics (Applied and Pure) among the subjects offered; Mathematics at level 4 is the minimum shown for the BSc. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

BSc Mathematical Sciences

School of Science and Technology

SMU APS 25

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against SMU’s own admission-requirements page for this school (points and subject minimums match). An Extended Curriculum (4-year) version exists at APS 24. Closes 31 July 2026 for undergraduate programmes (applications open 1 April 2026) - notably earlier than most universities in this batch.

Source: View the official page (smu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BSc Mathematical Sciences (Extended Curriculum)

School of Science and Technology · 4 years

SMU APS 24

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Two other subjects – Two other NSC subjects at level 4.

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against SMU’s own admission-requirements page for this school. BSc Extended Curriculum Programme (4 years), Mathematical Sciences stream: NSC with a Bachelor endorsement and APS 24. Closes 31 July 2026 for undergraduate programmes (applications open 1 April 2026) - notably earlier than most universities in this batch.

Source: View the official page (smu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BSc Mathematical Sciences

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 70%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BCom Mathematical Sciences

Economic & Management Sciences · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 70 %

  • Mathematics: 75%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Cape Town

BSc Applied Mathematics

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Mathematics

Science · 3 years

UCT Science Faculty Points Score 660 out of 800 (band a)

  • Mathematics: 70%
  • Physical Sciences: 60%

Band A (guaranteed offer) is an FPS of 660. Band B (likely offer) is a WPS of 640 - the WPS adds a 0-10% disadvantage factor that we cannot work out from your marks, so we only check you against Band A. Band C (550) applies to redress categories only. All Science majors share these entry bands (Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 60%+; NBTs in Mathematics, AL and QL must be written but do not affect admission). Admission is to the BSc and a major is chosen once you are in; selected students may be counselled onto the four-year Extended Degree Programme.

Source: View the official page (uct.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Johannesburg

BSc (Applied Mathematics and Mathematics)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M42Q. Physical Science level 4 (50%+), or 5 (60%+) when Chemistry 1A or Physics 1A/S1 is part of the programme. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M47Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematics and Psychology)

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 31 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M54Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (with Financial Orientation))

Science · 3 years

UJ APS 33 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

Read from the 2027 UJ Undergraduate Prospectus, programme code B2M55Q. English level 5 (60%+). Technical Mathematics and Technical Science are not accepted for Faculty of Science degrees.

Source: View the official page (uj.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Limpopo

BSc (Mathematical Sciences stream)

Science & Agriculture · 3 years

UL APS 24 points

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences (if chosen) – Students who select Physics as an elective need Physical Sciences at level 5.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UL’s own 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus faculty tables (images of the table, since the PDF’s text layer cannot be read reliably). Extended Curriculum (4 years): APS 22 with English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 4. UL says meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission. No 2027 closing date appears in the prospectus - see the dates page.

Source: View the official page (ul.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Pretoria

BSc Applied Mathematics

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

From the user-supplied Natural & Agricultural Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Mathematical Statistics

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

From the user-supplied Natural & Agricultural Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Mathematics

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UP APS 34 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)

From the user-supplied Natural & Agricultural Sciences 2027 Faculty Yearbook. Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of South Africa

BSc Applied Mathematics and Computer Science

Science, Engineering & Technology

Unisa APS 20 points

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 50%
  • Physical Science: 50%

Re-read 2026-10-04 against Unisa’s live qualification page: APS, language/Mathematics percentages and the 17 August - 9 October 2026 window all match. Physical/Technical Science at 50%+ is also required if Physics or Chemistry modules form part of your chosen modules. NSC with Bachelor’s Degree endorsement required. Maximum 8 years to complete. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

No cut-off published

Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics

Economic & Management Sciences

No points cut-off published for this one – see the note below.

  • English: 30%
  • Mathematics: 40%

Read 2026-10-04 from Unisa’s own qualification page (code 90129). NSC (Higher Certificate pass) or equivalent. Unisa states percentages, not an APS, on this page. Confirmed current for the 2027 intake: Unisa’s own pages state its 2027 application window as 17 August - 9 October 2026.

Source: View the official page (unisa.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Free State

Partly verified

BSc (Mathematical Sciences, e.g. Mathematics and Applied Mathematics)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences · 3 years

UFS AP score 32 points out of 49

  • English: level 4 if it is your Home Language, level 4 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

New row, from the user-supplied 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus. Covers Mathematics/Applied Mathematics/Chemistry/Mathematical Statistics major pairs, all sharing this AP and subject profile.

Source: View the official page (ufs.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Western Cape

BSc Mathematics and Statistical Sciences

Natural Sciences · 3 years

UWC weighted points 33 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more) OR Information Technology: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s own 2026 programme rules (the "Program Overview" PDF on the programme page, Calendar 2026). UWC points are its own weighted score (see the calculator note). The 4-year extended version needs APS 27 with Mathematics 3 and Physical Sciences 3.

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

BSc Mathematics and Statistical Sciences (Extended Curriculum)

Natural Sciences · 4 years

UWC weighted points 27 points out of 65

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Another language – Another language (Home or First Additional) at level 3.
  • Mathematics: level 3 (40% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 3 (40% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 3 (40% or more) OR Information Technology: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from UWC’s 2026 programme rules (the programme’s own "Program Overview" PDF, Calendar 2026). UWC points are its own weighted score. Extended (4-year) programme, code 3031: APS 27.

Source: View the official page (uwc.ac.za) (opens the official page)

University of the Witwatersrand

BSc Computational & Applied Mathematics

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 44 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 6 (70% or more)
  • NBT – The NBT is required for Science.

Confirmed unchanged by a direct fetch of the 2027 course-finder page (2026-10-02 spot-check). APS 41-43 may be wait-listed.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Sources disagree

BSc Mathematical Sciences

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 44 points

  • English: level 7 if it is your Home Language, level 7 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 7 (80% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 7 (80% or more)
  • NBT – The NBT is required for Science.

The 2027 course-finder page (re-confirmed by a direct fetch 2026-10-02) says APS 44+; the 2026 schools-liaison guide says 42+. We show the course-finder figure because it is the more recent, directly-verified official source, but the two do disagree - check with Wits if you are between 42 and 44. A wait-list band exists at 44+ with English Level 6 instead of 7.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Venda

BSc Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 26

  • Four 20-credit subjects – English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and one other recognised subject each at level 4 (50-59%) or better.

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (April 2026), faculty programme tables. APS and subject levels match. An Extended BSc option exists at the same APS with those four subjects at level 3 (40-49%). Same lower confidence tier as the Computer Science row above. From Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus. We could not confirm the application closing date from the pages we read (applications opened 1 May 2026) - check the current date on univen.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc (Mathematics and Statistics)

Science, Engineering and Agriculture · 3 years

Univen APS 26

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Life Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Read 2026-10-04 from Univen’s 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus (faculty programme tables, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). NSC 26 points with level 4 (50-59%) or better in English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences; a selection procedure may apply. Programme code in the MNBBS series. Online applications are free and run 1 May - 30 September 2026.

Source: View the official page (univen.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Zululand

From an older document

BSc (Applied Mathematics, Mathematics or Statistics major)

Science, Agriculture & Engineering · 3 years

UniZulu APS 28 points out of 48

  • English: 50%
  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Raw-confirmed 2026-10-04 against the admission tables in UniZulu’s 2026 faculty handbook (APS, language and Mathematics rules match). Mathematical Literacy is not accepted; an Augmented stream exists for Mathematics 40%. From UniZulu’s own 2026-labelled faculty handbooks, which contain no 2027-specific intake or closing-date information at all - do not assume a date, and treat this as the most recent official figures available rather than confirmed-current for 2027.

Source: View the official page (unizulu.ac.za) (opens the official page)

Walter Sisulu University

BSc Mathematics

Natural Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 25 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Extended Curriculum (4 years): APS 23, Mathematics level 4, Physical Sciences level 3. This replaces the earlier row, which gave level 4 for Mathematics and no APS (taken from a department web page). Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

BSc Applied Mathematics

Natural Sciences · 3 years

WSU APS 25 points out of 48 (56 for Education programmes)

  • English: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 4 (50% or more)

Raw-read 2026-10-04 from WSU’s own 2027 Undergraduate Information Brochure & Admission Requirements (main-stream figures; Extended Curriculum Programmes accept a lower APS, noted where the brochure gives one). Extended Curriculum (4 years): APS 23, Mathematics level 4, Physical Sciences level 3. Applications: the brochure lists no closing date - check wsu.ac.za.

Source: View the official page (wsu.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

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