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Dear Marc

We are so pleased the information we provided on architecture was helpful. Thank you for your questions regarding courses leading to a career in software development and related bursaries.

Software Developer
The field of software development may be accessed through a number of routes:

University of Technology National Diploma: Explore the Cape Peninsular University of Technology (CPUT) Information Technology courses (http://info.cput.ac.za/prospectus_3/cluster.php?f=4). Specifically look at the course information and admission requirements for the ND Information Technology:  http://info.cput.ac.za/prospectus/CPUT%20Admission%20Requirements%202010.pdf. Consider enrolling for a BTech degree after completing the National Diploma (ND).

University Degree: Complete a university degree program resulting in a qualification in Information Systems, Computer Science or Information Technology. Visit the websites of western cape universities such as UCT (www.uct.ac.za), Stellenbosch (www.sun.ac.za) and UWC (www.uwc.ac.za) for information about the courses they offer and the admission requirements. For example:

• Bachelor of Business Science Management Studies: Information Systems: download the Commerce Faculty handbook from the following web page: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/degrees/commerce/undergraduate/  and down load information about careers in information systems from the following web page: http://www.commerce.uct.ac.za/InformationSystems/Overview/careers.asp and admission requirements from http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/undergraduates/2009nsc/.
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Computer Science: download the Science Faculty handbook from the following web page: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/degrees/science/undergraduate/  and admission requirements from http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/undergraduates/2009nsc/.
• BEng (Electrical and Electronic with Computer Sciences) is also an interesting way of entering into industrial software development. Consult the University of Stellenbosch undergraduate programs for this course offered through their engineering faculty: http://sun025.sun.ac.za/portal/page/portal/Maties/English/Undergraduate%20Prospectus/Engineering/BEng%20(Electrical%20and%20Electronic%20with%20Computer%20Science).

Other: Information may also be obtained from the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (ISETT) http://www.isett.org.za/default.asp

Bursaries
The following sources of bursary information are available:

Some organizations also provide bursaries and scholarships. However, these usually only specific application criteria for example some bursaries require you to study commerce, science or engineering degrees with majors in computer science, information systems and various engineering and technology disciplines. Use the Career Planet bursary section for links to specific bursary providers: (http://www.careerplanet.co.za/_pages/bursaries).

Contact the Financial Aid Office or Student Support Office of the college, university or university of technology where he plans to study, for information on the bursaries and loans he may be eligible to apply for.  They will also be able to tell him if he is eligible to apply for a loan from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (www.nsfas.org.za or use the Career Planet website to find the link http://www.careerplanet.co.za/_pages/student_finance ). While the NSFAS does not handle individual applications for funding at their offices, contact their Call Centre on 021 763 3232 for more information on Financial Aid Offices where he plans to study.

We hope this information is helpful. Best wishes for your future career.
The Career Planet Team