The Most Overrated and Underrated University Courses in South Africa
In South Africa, where the youth unemployment rate sits at a staggering 45% (Stats SA, 2024), choosing the right university course can make or break your career. As of March 18, 2025, some degrees are hyped beyond their actual worth, while others fly under the radar despite offering solid prospects. This article uncovers the most overrated and underrated university courses in South Africa. With data-driven insights and real-world analysis, we’ll help you navigate the hype and find hidden gems in the academic landscape.
Why Ratings Matter in South Africa’s Job Market
Not all degrees are created equal. Overrated courses often carry inflated prestige but deliver poor employment outcomes, while underrated ones quietly produce graduates who thrive. In a country where 63% of graduates take over six months to find work (QS Employability Rankings, 2023), understanding which courses overpromise and which underdeliver is critical. This guide separates perception from reality.
Methodology: The Gold Standard of Research
To create the best online resource, we’ve synthesized:
- Employment Data: Stats SA (2024), QS Rankings (2023), and university graduate reports.
- Market Trends: Job demand from CareerJunction, Indeed, and X posts.
- Salary Insights: PayScale (2025) and local industry surveys.
- Student Feedback: Real-world experiences from alumni and current students.
- Expert Analysis: Insights from career advisors at UCT, Wits, and UNISA.
This ensures our rankings are authoritative, current, and unmatched in depth.
Most Overrated University Courses in South Africa
These courses often enjoy high prestige or popularity but fall short on employability or return on investment.
1. Bachelor of Arts (BA) – General
- Why It’s Overrated: Marketed as versatile, but the lack of specialization leaves grads competing in an oversaturated job pool. Only 70% find jobs with upskilling (UNISA Report, 2023).
- The Hype: Seen as a “safe” choice for undecided students.
- Reality: Low demand unless paired with skills like digital marketing or coding.
- Salary: R250,000–R450,000 annually (PayScale, 2025).
- Better Alternative: BA with a focus (e.g., Psychology) or a diploma in a practical field.
2. Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Why It’s Overrated: Prestige drives enrollment, but the legal market is flooded—only 75–80% secure jobs after bar admission (UP Law Report, 2023).
- The Hype: Lawyers are seen as high earners with status.
- Reality: Long training (articles, bar exams) and fierce competition limit rewards for many.
- Salary: R400,000–R800,000 annually (PayScale, 2025)—but only for the top tier.
- Better Alternative: BCom Law for broader business applicability.
3. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) – Economics
- Why It’s Overrated: Touted as a ticket to high finance, yet entry-level roles are scarce without a master’s or CA(SA) (SAICA, 2024).
- The Hype: Perceived as elite and analytical.
- Reality: Oversupply of grads; only 60% employed in relevant fields within a year (Wits Alumni Report, 2024).
- Salary: R300,000–R500,000 annually (Regent.ac.za, 2024).
- Better Alternative: BCom Accounting or Data Science.
4. Bachelor of Psychology
- Why It’s Overrated: Popular for its “helping people” appeal, but a bachelor’s alone rarely leads to clinical roles—postgraduate study is essential.
- The Hype: Seen as a noble, in-demand field.
- Reality: Only 50–60% employment rate without honors or master’s (UCT Graduate Survey, 2023).
- Salary: R250,000–R400,000 annually (Indeed, 2024).
- Better Alternative: Social Work or HR-focused degrees.
5. Bachelor of Film and Media Studies
- Why It’s Overrated: Glamour attracts students, but South Africa’s small creative industry can’t absorb grads—less than 50% find jobs in the field (Vega Report, 2023).
- The Hype: Promises a creative, exciting career.
- Reality: Freelance instability and low starting pay dominate.
- Salary: R200,000–R350,000 annually (Oakfields College, 2024).
- Better Alternative: Digital Marketing or Graphic Design.
Most Underrated University Courses in South Africa
These courses lack the spotlight but offer high employability, solid salaries, and future-proof skills.
1. Bachelor of Science (BSc) – Data Science
- Why It’s Underrated: Lacks the glamour of IT or medicine, yet it’s a powerhouse in demand—85% employment rate (Digital Regenesys, 2024).
- The Value: Businesses crave data-driven insights; skills are globally transferable.
- Salary: R550,000–R750,000 annually (Indeed, 2024).
- Top Employers: Discovery, FNB, Takealot.
- Why It’s Overlooked: Newer field, less understood by students.
2. Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Mining Engineering
- Why It’s Underrated: Mining’s “dirty” image deters students, but it boasts a 90% employment rate (Wits Alumni Report, 2024).
- The Value: South Africa’s mineral wealth ensures steady demand.
- Salary: R600,000–R900,000 annually (Nexford University, 2025).
- Top Employers: Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater.
- Why It’s Overlooked: Perceived as niche or outdated.
3. Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Why It’s Underrated: Lacks prestige, yet e-commerce growth drives a 78% employment rate (CPUT Graduate Survey, 2023).
- The Value: Short (2 years), practical, and in demand.
- Salary: R320,000–R500,000 annually (CareerJunction, 2025).
- Top Employers: DHL, Takealot, Shoprite.
- Why It’s Overlooked: Seen as less academic than degrees.
4. Bachelor of Education (BEd) – STEM Focus
- Why It’s Underrated: Teaching lacks glamour, but STEM educators enjoy a 75–80% employment rate (UP Graduate Outcomes, 2023).
- The Value: Addresses a national shortage; stable government jobs.
- Salary: R300,000–R500,000 annually (Stats SA, 2024).
- Top Employers: Department of Basic Education, private schools.
- Why It’s Overlooked: Low prestige compared to medicine or law.
5. Higher Certificate in Digital Marketing
- Why It’s Underrated: Short (1 year) and overshadowed by traditional degrees, yet it offers an 80% employment rate (Digital Regenesys, 2024).
- The Value: Businesses need online expertise; freelance potential is high.
- Salary: R350,000–R550,000 annually (Oakfields College, 2024).
- Top Employers: Agencies, SMEs, multinationals.
- Why It’s Overlooked: Perceived as “too vocational.”
Why These Ratings Happen
Overrated Courses: Driven by social prestige, outdated perceptions, or oversaturation. Many promise more than they deliver in South Africa’s context.
Underrated Courses: Lack buzz but align with emerging industries (e.g., data, logistics) or critical shortages (e.g., STEM education, mining).
Where to Study These Courses
- Overrated: UCT, Wits, and Stellenbosch attract hype-driven students but aren’t always the best fit.
- Underrated:
- Data Science: Wits, UJ.
- Mining Engineering: Wits, UP.
- Logistics: UNISA, CPUT.
- Education: UP, UNISA.
- Digital Marketing: Red & Yellow, UCT (short courses).
How to Choose Wisely
Look Beyond Prestige: Focus on employment rates and salary trends.
Match Skills to Demand: Prioritize fields with shortages (e.g., tech, education).
Start Small: Test with a certificate or diploma before committing to a degree.
Talk to Grads: X and LinkedIn reveal real experiences.
Conclusion: See Through the Hype
In South Africa’s 2025 job market, the most overrated courses—like BA General, LLB, and Economics—often trade on prestige but falter on outcomes. Meanwhile, underrated gems like Data Science, Mining Engineering, and Digital Marketing deliver high employability and lucrative salaries with less fanfare.
