Top 10 Undergraduate Courses at WSU for 2026 Applications

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) offers diverse courses across all faculties. Below we rank 10 WSU undergraduate courses by the strength of related career opportunities in South Africa. Each course is described with its focus area, leading careers, current average salaries (in ZAR), and job outlook in its field. The selection covers health sciences, engineering/IT, commerce, education, law, and more to reflect WSU’s broad offerings.

WSU will open applications for the 2026 academic year on 1 June 2025.

Top 10 Undergraduate Courses at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) for 2026 Career Prospects
 

1. Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) – Health Sciences

• Course focus: Professional medical degree training physicians in clinical medicine, surgery, and patient care.
• Careers: Medical doctor in public or private practice, specialist roles (surgeon, pediatrician, etc.).
• Average salary: Medical doctors earn very high salaries – about ZAR 1,813,449 per year on average (general practitioners earn over ZAR 55K/month).
• Outlook: South Africa has chronic shortages of doctors and growing healthcare needs, so doctors enjoy strong demand and opportunities for advancement. Newly trained physicians are likely to find positions in hospitals and clinics both in urban centers and under-served areas.

2. Bachelor of Nursing – Health Sciences

• Course focus: Four-year degree preparing students as Registered Nurses, covering general nursing, midwifery, mental health, and community care.
• Careers: Registered Nurse in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community health; specializations (e.g. midwifery, critical care).
• Average salary: Nurses earn roughly ZAR 319,909 per year on average (about ZAR 26K/month). Senior or specialist nurses can earn more.
• Outlook: There is a critical nursing shortage in South Africa. An ageing workforce and high patient loads mean nurses are in urgent demand nationwide, ensuring strong job prospects for new graduates.

3. Diploma in Electrical Engineering – Engineering & IT

• Course focus: Three-year diploma covering electrical circuits, power systems, electronics, and industrial machinery.
• Careers: Electrical technician or technologist in power plants, utilities, manufacturing, and construction projects. With experience, graduates can move into engineering roles in energy and infrastructure.
• Average salary: Electrical engineers (diploma or degree holders) average about ZAR 515,565 per year (with entry-level around ZAR 245,917).
• Outlook: South Africa’s infrastructure and renewable energy projects (solar, wind) drive demand for electrical experts. Technicians are needed to maintain and upgrade the power grid and industrial systems, so employment prospects remain solid.

4. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Engineering & IT

• Course focus: Core computing subjects (courseming, algorithms, databases, networks, software engineering).
• Careers: Software developer, systems analyst, network engineer, IT consultant, or tech entrepreneur.
• Average salary: Software developers earn about ZAR 338,752 per year on average. Senior IT roles pay higher.
• Outlook: South Africa’s IT industry is growing with digital transformation. Demand for software and hardware professionals remains strong, fueled by finance, telecommunications, and cybersecurity needs. Computer science graduates are highly sought-after in both established companies and the startup sector.

5. Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistical Sciences – Natural Sciences (Mathematical Sciences)

• Course focus: Training in statistics, data analysis, and mathematical modeling for real-world applications.
• Careers: Data scientist, data analyst, biostatistician, risk analyst, or market researcher.
• Average salary: Data science and analytics professionals are well-paid – about ZAR 720,006 per year for data scientists.
• Outlook: In an increasingly data-driven economy, demand for statistical and data skills is rising. Companies in finance, healthcare, and tech need data experts, making this course a pathway to rapidly expanding career options.

6. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – Economic & Financial Sciences

• Course focus: Broad commerce degree with majors in Accounting, Economics, Business Management, etc., focusing on business and finance fundamentals.
• Careers: Chartered accountant, financial accountant, auditor, financial analyst, economist, business manager, or entrepreneur.
• Average salary: Accountants earn around ZAR 407,079 per year on average. Financial analysts earn even higher, about ZAR 600,000 per year.
• Outlook: Finance and business management roles are abundant in South Africa’s banking, corporate, and public sectors. With strong demand for finance professionals, qualified commerce graduates can expect steady job opportunities and solid earning potential.

7. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

• Course focus: Professional law degree covering constitutional, criminal, civil, and commercial law, preparing students for legal practice or advisory roles.
• Careers: Attorney, advocate, legal advisor, corporate counsel, judge’s clerk, or public prosecutor. Specializations include corporate law, human rights, IP, and more.
• Average salary: Entry-level lawyers typically earn R500,000–700,000 per year (with mid-career and specialist roles well into the millions).
• Outlook: Legal expertise is needed in business, government, and NGOs. Career prospects are strong in corporate law, compliance, environmental law, and human rights. As new legislation and business regulations emerge, skilled lawyers remain in demand.

8. Bachelor of Education (BEd) – Education

• Course focus: Teacher training degree with specialization (foundation phase or specific subject areas like Math, Science, Languages). Students learn pedagogy and curriculum development for primary/secondary education.
• Careers: Foundation or high school teacher, subject specialist, or education administrator. Qualified teachers can teach in public and private schools or pursue postgraduate education roles.
• Average salary: Teacher pay scales range R154,671 to R1,209,000 per year depending on qualifications and experience (the large range reflects junior to senior educators). Entry-level teachers earn around R241,658/year, with senior teachers/principals at the high end.
• Outlook: Education is a major employer in SA (over 410,000 teachers nationwide). There is ongoing demand for qualified teachers, especially in STEM subjects and rural schools. Government investment in education and teacher shortages in some areas ensure stable opportunities for graduates.

9. Bachelor of Psychology – Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

• Course focus: Study of mind and behavior, covering clinical, counseling, developmental, and industrial psychology foundations.
• Careers: Registered psychologist (clinical, counseling, industrial/organizational), counselor, psychometrist, or researcher. Further postgraduate training leads to professional registration.
• Average salary: Psychologists earn about ZAR 534,050 per year on average (R44K/month), with clinical specialists earning more.
• Outlook: Mental health and organizational well-being are growing priorities in SA. The need for psychological services in healthcare, schools, and business is increasing, giving psychology graduates strong career prospects after necessary further training.

10. Bachelor of Administration – Management & Public Administration

• Course focus: Public management degree covering administration, governance, and policy in the public and private sectors.
• Careers: Public administrator, government department manager, project coordinator, human resources or operations manager in NGOs and businesses.
• Average salary: Administration and management roles pay around ZAR 420,006 per year on average (approx. R35K/month). Experienced managers in large organizations can earn well above this.
• Outlook: Skilled administrators are needed in government agencies, municipalities, and corporate offices. As South Africa implements public service reforms and infrastructure projects, BAdmin graduates can expect stable job openings in public-sector management and organizational leadership.

How to Apply to WSU for 2026

Follow these steps once applications open:

1. Go to the WSU application portal: applications.wsu.ac.za

2. Create an account or log in.

3. Choose your preferred course(s) for the 2026 academic year.

4. Complete the application form with accurate personal and academic information.

5. Upload certified documents, including:

• ID or passport
• NSC (Grade 12) certificate or equivalent
• Academic transcripts (if applicable)

6. Submit your application before 31 October 2025.
 

Conclusion

In summary, these ten WSU undergraduate courses lead to careers with strong earning potential and demand. They span South Africa’s key growth sectors – from healthcare and technology to finance and education. Graduates of Medicine, Nursing, IT, and Commerce courses can command high salaries (well above R300K/year on average), while fields like law, education, and management also offer robust opportunities. We used the latest salary data and market trends to identify courses that not only match students’ interests but also promise rewarding futures. By choosing these majors, WSU students can tap into high-demand career paths in 2026 and beyond.