When people talk about studying Computer Science in South Africa, it’s usually painted in two extremes. Either it’s seen as a “high-paying, easy tech path,” or as an impossibly hard degree meant only for people who coded from primary school.
The truth sits somewhere in the middle — and I learned that the hard way at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
I came into Computer Science without an ICT background, straight from a science stream in high school, confident but unprepared for what university-level CS actually demands. My first year didn’t go well. I failed. But I didn’t quit. What followed was a comeback that completely reshaped how I study, how I think, and how I approach learning.
This is what studying Computer Science in South Africa is really like.
Coming From High School With No ICT Background
In high school, I did pure science subjects — maths, physical sciences — but no IT or CAT. Like many students, I assumed that being “good at maths” would be enough.
That assumption is dangerous.
At university, Computer Science is not about memorising formulas or copying patterns. It demands:
- Logical thinking
- Problem-solving under pressure
- Learning abstract concepts fast
- Writing code that actually works
In first year at NMU, concepts like programming logic, algorithms, and problem decomposition came at speed. Lecturers moved on whether you were keeping up or not. There was no hand-holding.
I quickly realised: Computer Science does not wait for you to catch up.
First-Year Reality: Falling Behind and Failing
My first year was rough.
I underestimated:
- How much self-study CS requires
- How quickly small gaps become big ones
- How different university learning is from matric
Missing one concept in programming means the next five don’t make sense. I tried to “push through” without fully understanding basics — and that’s where things collapsed.
I failed.
That moment hits hard, especially when:
- You were a strong learner in high school
- You feel like you disappointed yourself and others
- You start questioning if Computer Science is “for you”
Many students quit here. Some change courses. Some disappear quietly.
I didn’t.
The Turning Point: Accepting That Effort Matters More Than Talent
The biggest lie about Computer Science is that you need to be “naturally smart” to succeed.
You don’t.
What you need is deliberate, consistent study.
After failing, I had to be honest with myself. I wasn’t stupid — I simply wasn’t studying properly for a CS degree.
That’s when everything changed.
Studying Alone Was Not Enough (SALOT Was My Game-Changer)
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was trying to do everything alone.
Computer Science punishes isolation.
My comeback started when I embraced SALOT — studying alone, learning with others, together. I:
- Studied concepts on my own first
- Then discussed them with classmates
- Asked questions without fear of looking “slow”
Understanding deepened faster when I explained code to someone else or listened to how they thought through a problem.
Embizweni CS Labs: Where Real Learning Happened
At NMU, the Embizweni Computer Science labs became my second home.
This is where theory met reality.
In the labs, I:
- Sat next to course mates struggling with the same problems
- Debugged code together
- Watched how others approached the same task differently
- Realised I wasn’t alone in finding things difficult
CS labs are not just for submitting work — they are learning spaces. If you isolate yourself, you lose half the value of the degree.
Consulting Lecturers and Faculty Admin (Yes, It Matters)
Another turning point was learning to ask for help properly.
Many students think lecturers are unapproachable. That’s not true — but you have to meet them halfway.
I started:
- Attending consultations
- Asking specific questions, not “I don’t understand everything”
- Clarifying course requirements with faculty admin
- Understanding rules around progression, repeats, and support
This gave me clarity and direction. Suddenly, I wasn’t guessing — I knew what was expected.
The Academic Comeback
Once I:
- Studied consistently
- Used labs properly
- Worked with peers
- Asked for help early
My performance changed.
Not overnight — but steadily.
I stopped chasing marks and focused on understanding. Code that made sense stayed with me longer than code memorised the night before a test.
That’s when Computer Science started feeling possible.
What Studying Computer Science in South Africa Is Really Like
Here’s the honest truth for anyone considering CS:
It is difficult — if you don’t study.
Not “hard for everyone,” but unforgiving if you slack.
Your background matters less than your habits.
No ICT background doesn’t disqualify you. Poor study habits do.
Collaboration is not cheating — it’s survival.
CS is built on shared knowledge. Learn with others.
Failure is common — quitting is optional.
Many strong graduates failed once. What matters is response.
University won’t chase you.
You must take responsibility early, or you fall behind fast.
Advice to Students Considering Computer Science
If you’re thinking of studying Computer Science in South Africa, especially at a university like NMU, here’s my honest advice:
- Start early — don’t wait until you’re confused
- Spend time in labs, not just at home
- Make friends in your course
- Ask lecturers questions while it still matters
- Accept that struggle is part of the process
Computer Science is not for people who want shortcuts — but it is for people willing to learn properly.
In Conclusion
Studying Computer Science in South Africa is not glamorous, easy, or instant. It is demanding, humbling, and sometimes frustrating, especially if you come from a non-ICT background.
But it is also learnable.
I failed first year. I came back by studying seriously, learning with others, using university resources, and asking for help when it counted.
If you’re struggling right now, that doesn’t mean you don’t belong here. It means you’re early in the process — not at the end of it.
