How to Start a Business While Studying: Best Entrepreneurship Degrees in South Africa
Balancing entrepreneurship with studies is a bold move, but in South Africa—a nation hungry for innovation—it’s a viable path to success. As of March 18, 2025, with a vibrant startup scene and a R2.2 trillion economy, students can turn ideas into thriving ventures while earning a degree.
Why Start a Business While Studying in South Africa?
South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is ripe with opportunity:
- Youth Unemployment: At 45% for ages 15-34 (Stats SA, 2025), starting a business beats waiting for jobs.
- Affordable Education: Low tuition fees let you invest in both studies and startups.
- Support Networks: From SEDA to NYDA, resources abound for young founders.
- Market Potential: A growing middle class and 680 million mobile users across Africa signal untapped demand.
Students who launch businesses gain practical skills, financial independence, and a head start on peers. Ready to dive in? Here’s how to make it work.
How to Start a Business While Studying: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find Your Niche
- Leverage Passion: Love tech? Build an app. Good at tutoring? Start a study group. Match your skills to a market need.
- Research Demand: Use X to gauge interest or test ideas with classmates.
- Start Small: Low-investment ideas like freelancing or dropshipping fit tight schedules.
Step 2: Plan Like a Pro
- Business Plan: Draft a simple one-pager—vision, goals, budget, and timeline. Tools like Canva offer free templates.
- Time Management: Allocate 2-4 hours/day to your venture; use apps like Toggl to track study vs. work.
- Funding: Tap into student grants (e.g., NYDA) or bootstrap with savings.
Step 3: Leverage University Resources
- Incubators: Many SA universities offer startup hubs (e.g., UP’s Enterprises UP).
- Mentors: Professors or alumni can guide you—reach out via LinkedIn.
- Events: Join pitch competitions or workshops to refine your idea.
Step 4: Go Legal (But Simple)
- Register: Use CIPC’s online portal to register a Pte Ltd for R175—takes 1-2 days.
- Taxes: Auto-registered with SARS via CIPC; keep basic records with free tools like Wave.
- Contracts: Draft agreements for clients/partners using templates from LegalWise.
Step 5: Build & Scale
- Digital Presence: Start with a free Wix site or Instagram page.
- Network: Join X communities like “SA Entrepreneurs” for tips and collabs.
- Iterate: Use feedback from early customers to tweak your offering.
Best Entrepreneurship Degrees in South Africa
A degree in entrepreneurship equips you with skills to ideate, plan, and grow a business—all while studying. Here are the top programs in South Africa:
1. BCom in Entrepreneurship – University of Pretoria (UP)
- Why It’s Top:
- Ranked #291 globally (QS 2025), UP’s EBIT faculty is a powerhouse.
- Covers business modeling, innovation, and finance—perfect for startups.
- Access to Enterprises UP, offering mentorship and seed funding.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R50,000/year.
- Admission: APS 35+, 75% in Maths.
- Graduate Earnings: R400,000-R600,000/year in startups or consulting.
- Best For: Students building scalable ventures from day one.
2. BCom in Business Innovation – University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Why It’s Top:
- UJ leads in tech and innovation (THE 2025 rankings).
- Focuses on entrepreneurial thinking, digital tools, and market analysis.
- Offers UJ Hive, a startup incubator for students.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R50,000/year.
- Admission: APS 36+, 70% in Maths.
- Graduate Earnings: R350,000-R500,000/year in tech or SMEs.
- Best For: Tech-savvy innovators eyeing digital startups.
3. BCom in Entrepreneurial Management – University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Why It’s Top:
- UCT (#171 globally) blends entrepreneurship with strategic management.
- Includes real-world projects with Cape Town startups.
- Ties to UCT Solution Space for mentorship and networking.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R60,000/year.
- Admission: APS 42+, 80% in Maths.
- Graduate Earnings: R450,000-R650,000/year in consulting or founding.
- Best For: Visionaries aiming for high-impact businesses.
4. BBA in Entrepreneurship – Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Why It’s Top:
- SU (#283 globally) emphasizes leadership and innovation.
- Offers LaunchLab, a startup accelerator for students.
- Bilingual (Afrikaans/English) with a tight-knit community.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R55,000/year.
- Admission: APS 38+, 75% in Maths.
- Graduate Earnings: R400,000-R600,000/year in management or startups.
- Best For: Leaders balancing creativity and structure.
5. BCom in Business Management (Entrepreneurship Stream) – University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Why It’s Top:
- Flexible distance learning fits busy student-entrepreneurs.
- Covers startup basics, marketing, and finance.
- Affordable and accessible nationwide.
- Duration: 3-6 years (part-time option).
- Cost: Approx. R20,000-R30,000/year.
- Admission: APS 30+, 60% in Maths.
- Graduate Earnings: R300,000-R500,000/year in SMEs or freelancing.
- Best For: Self-starters juggling business and studies.
Comparison of Top Degrees
| Degree | University | Cost/Year | APS | Earnings Potential | Unique Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCom Entrepreneurship | UP | R50,000 | 35+ | R400K-R600K | Enterprises UP support |
| BCom Business Innovation | UJ | R50,000 | 36+ | R350K-R500K | Tech-focused incubator |
| BCom Entrepreneurial Mgmt | UCT | R60,000 | 42+ | R450K-R650K | Cape Town startup ties |
| BBA Entrepreneurship | SU | R55,000 | 38+ | R400K-R600K | LaunchLab accelerator |
| BCom Business Mgmt | UNISA | R20K-R30K | 30+ | R300K-R500K | Flexible distance learning |
Tips to Thrive as a Student Entrepreneur
Prioritize: Use a calendar (e.g., Google Calendar) to block study and business hours.
Leverage Tech: Tools like Slack (team comms) and Trello (project tracking) save time.
Stay Lean: Test ideas with minimal investment—think MVPs (Minimum Viable Products).
Seek Support: Join NYDA programs or Teen Entrepreneur for youth mentorship.
Balance: Schedule downtime to avoid burnout—mental health fuels success.
Real-World Success Stories
- Ludwick Marishane: Created DryBath (waterless bathing gel) while at UCT—now a global innovator.
- Vinny Lingham: Started tech ventures as a student, later co-founded Civic (valued at $1B+).
- Local Example: A UP student launched a tutoring app in 2023, earning R50,000 in six months while studying.
Career Prospects After Graduation
- Roles: Startup founder, business consultant, innovation manager.
- Salaries: R300,000-R600,000/year entry-level; R800,000-R1,500,000/year mid-career.
- Industries: Tech, retail, social enterprises—South Africa’s 77,000 job shortage ensures demand.
Conclusion: Study Smart, Start Now
Starting a business while studying in South Africa is challenging but doable with the right degree and strategy. The BCom in Entrepreneurship at UP stands out as the best, offering robust support and practical skills. Pair it with disciplined planning, and you’ll build a venture while earning credentials. Begin today—brainstorm your idea, enroll in a top program, and join South Africa’s entrepreneurial wave.
