Information Systems are a means by which organisations and people use computers to collect, process, store, use (analyse) and distribute information. 

Information Systems focuses on the business organisation (People, business processes, information and technology), whereas Computer Science focuses on the technology and requires more mathematical and technical skills.

Our Qualifications and Courses:

The Department of Information Systems at the University of Cape Town offers a range of qualifications and courses accommodating students from 1st year to doctoral level. Our qualifications and courses are regularly reviewed to maintain teaching quality and with content geared to meet the challenges of rapidly changing subject material.

All courses up to Honours level include extensive practical project work that includes the use of a wide variety of system development tools. Our major courses offer students close collaboration with IS staff, as well as interaction with real clients outside the university. The success of our undergraduate qualification is reflected by our excellent record of graduate employment.

Our postgraduate offerings cater for both part-time and full-time students. We offer various qualifications in areas ranging from Business Analysis, Computer Forensics, Enterprise Systems and Business Process Management to our PhD.

Our Research and our commitment to development challenges

A core focus of the department and the Department’s accredited research unit CITANDA (Centre for IT and National Development) is research focusing on the role of ICT in Developing Country contexts. This is complemented by our other key research areas IS and education, ICTs and innovation, IS management, IS development and digital forensics. Our students and staff are active in the Vrygrond Community Laboratory.