University of Cape Town
Data Science with Python
Obtain significant insights from data to facilitate informed decision-making.
Start date
08 September 2025
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
In today's data-centric world, businesses require professionals who can extract meaningful insights from data to facilitate better decision-making. The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers the Data Science with Python online short course to enable individuals to acquire practical data science and analysis skills that can be applied in everyday business scenarios.
During the eight-week course, you’ll become familiar with Python libraries widely used in various industries and learn how to employ these methods to solve day-to-day business challenges. The data science course provides an introduction to statistical learning, which lays the foundation for the mechanics of machine learning. You’ll examine tree-based models and neural networks for supervised learning, K-means, and hierarchical clustering for unsupervised learning. Additionally, you’ll learn about the process of discovering more robust patterns to ensure that the models are useful.
Is this course for you?
The course is designed for professionals seeking to bridge gaps in their data science skills and knowledge. Those in the IT sector who require demonstrable and practical skills to rapidly expand their data science toolkit will find the technical content highly beneficial. Professionals in diverse industries will learn how to increase their organisation's efficiency and uncover new opportunities using essential data and programming skills.
The course emphasises technical knowledge, and it is recommended that students possess a fundamental understanding of mathematics, statistics, and familiarity with at least one programming language to fully utilise the course's benefits.
Readiness test
Assess your knowledge of Python in preparation for this course with our readiness test. The test will gauge your competencies in mathematics and statistics, as well as your understanding of relevant programming languages.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
In today's data-centric world, businesses require professionals who can extract meaningful insights from data to facilitate better decision-making. The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers the Data Science with Python online short course to enable individuals to acquire practical data science and analysis skills that can be applied in everyday business scenarios.
During the eight-week course, you’ll become familiar with Python libraries widely used in various industries and learn how to employ these methods to solve day-to-day business challenges. The data science course provides an introduction to statistical learning, which lays the foundation for the mechanics of machine learning. You’ll examine tree-based models and neural networks for supervised learning, K-means, and hierarchical clustering for unsupervised learning. Additionally, you’ll learn about the process of discovering more robust patterns to ensure that the models are useful.
Is this course for you?
The course is designed for professionals seeking to bridge gaps in their data science skills and knowledge. Those in the IT sector who require demonstrable and practical skills to rapidly expand their data science toolkit will find the technical content highly beneficial. Professionals in diverse industries will learn how to increase their organisation's efficiency and uncover new opportunities using essential data and programming skills.
The course emphasises technical knowledge, and it is recommended that students possess a fundamental understanding of mathematics, statistics, and familiarity with at least one programming language to fully utilise the course's benefits.
Readiness test
Assess your knowledge of Python in preparation for this course with our readiness test. The test will gauge your competencies in mathematics and statistics, as well as your understanding of relevant programming languages.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
The ability to apply data science and analysis techniques to inform decision-making.
The tools to build and modify robust models in order to help solve business problems.
A practical grounding in the widely used Jupyter Notebook.
The ability to fit data to a model using Python in order to gain insight into business problems.
A certificate of completion from UCT as validation of your new data science skill set, and unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Data science and statistical learning
Module 2
Tree-based methods
Module 3
Managing the complexity of tree-based methods
Module 4
Neural networks
Module 5
Managing the complexity of neural networks
Module 6
K-means clustering
Module 7
Hierarchical clustering
Module 8
Data science in the real world
Course Convenors
Grant Oosterwyk
Lecturer, Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Commerce, UCT
Etienne Pienaar
Lecturer, Department of Statistical Sciences, UCT
About the certificate
Delve into the technical aspects of data science and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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