Business Statistics and Operations Research

BCom Statistics and BCom Operations Research

Overview

You can apply for BCom statistics in your first year, and then be considered for BCom Operations research after year one. Please note that we do not have a 2022 intake for our programme Operations Research.

Statistics is the branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, organisation, analysis and interpretation of numerical data. In general, the discipline is concerned with:

  • the collection of information
  • summarising information for ease of understanding
  • drawing conclusions from the data, and
  • estimating the present or predicting/forecasting the future

Operations research, on the one hand, is the discipline that is concerned with the application of analytical methods to help decision-makers with the optimal allocation of scarce resources. It is concerned with using different models in maximising profit using minimal resources. Operational research may also be defined as the use of advanced analytical techniques to improve decision-making. Operations research analysts are involved in all aspects of an organisation. They help to allocate resources, develop production schedules, manage the supply chain and set prices.

Qualification options

  • BCom Operations Research
  • Bcom Statistics

Career opportunities

Statisticians have the advantage of combining their interest with almost any other field of study, especially in science, business, medicine technology, education, etc. Some of these fields are as follows:

  • Education
  • Biology 
  • Economics
  • Manufacturing                                            
  • Marketing
  • Engineering                    
  • Finance
  • Health science
  • Public health                                
  • Computer science
  • Epidemiology
  • Law                     
  • Population studies
  • Chemistry
  • Agriculture
  • Insurance                               
  • Sports
  • Banking institutions                                           
  • Earth sciences
  • Geography
  • Government departments                              
  • Insurance companies

People with skills in OR hold jobs in decision support, business analytics, marketing analysis and logistics planning. Many large firms have groups of OR analysts. These are located in the steel, mining, oil, gas, chemicals, paper and engineering industries, airlines, logistics, railways, banking and insurance. Within the public sector, OR analysts are also employed in health, education and electricity supply.

Postgraduate studies

  • BCom Hons in Operations Research
  • BCom Hons in Business Statistics
  • MCom in Operations Research
  • MCom in Statistics
  • PhD in International Trade
  • PhD in Risk Management
  • PhD in Economics
  • PhD in Operations Research 

See the Postgraduate page for more information

BCom with Operations Research

Qualification in the programme

Please note that we do not have a first year intake in 2022 for this degree, you can apply for BCom in Statistics, and change your field of study after your first year.

  • BCom with Operations Research
  • Duration: 3 years, full-time

[Qualification 5FGH03 M]

See yearbook for more information

Admission requirements

  • APS of 24
  • Maths level 4(50% or more)
  • English level 4
  • Additional requirements may apply as per Faculty yearbook/calendar

Campus where programme is offered

  • Mahikeng [M]

Career Opportunities

*See above

Post-graduate studies

*See above

BCom in Statistics

Qualification in the programme

  • BCom in Statistics
  • Duration: 3 years full-time

[Qualification 5FGH02 M]

See yearbook for more information

Admission requirements

  • APS of 24
  • Maths level 4 (50% or more)
  • English level 4
  • Additional requirements may apply as per Faculty yearbook/calendar
  • Don't meet the requirements? See below for information on the extended programme

Campus where programme is offered

  • Mahikeng [M]

Career Opportunities

*See above

Post-graduate studies

*See above

BCom in Statistics Extended Programme

Qualification in the programme

  • BCom in Statistics
  • Duration: 4 years full-time

[Qualification 5XGH01 M]

See yearbook for more information

Admission requirements

  • APS of 20
  • Maths level 3( 40% or more) / Maths Literacy level 4 (50% or more)
  • English level 3 (40% or more)
  • Additional requirements as per Faculty yearbook/calendar

Campus where programme is offered

  • Mahikeng [M]

Career Opportunities

*See above

Post-graduate studies

*See above