Is BSc Computing from UNISA right for me as a NOOB working full time in another unrelated field???

[Anomalies]

Hey everyone

New here...

I recently developed a keen interest in technology and its impact on society. I work full time at one of the 4 major banks, and have no IT or computing background but am pretty efficient at basic Microsoft Office products, Excel, Word etc and enjoy working with them, hence the interest in computers (though I'm not naturally a "tech" person admittedly)

I've been playing around with the idea of doing a degree to equip myself for necessary skills for a change in career interests. I came across BSc in Computing at UNISA and it appears to be a decent program to do while I work full time, starting in 2021. I ultimately want to get into programming and software development. I wanted to know:

1. What coding languages can I start learning now and through 2020 to prepare me for BSc Computing?
2. Is BSc Computing at UNISA even the right choice considering I will still be working full time? If not are there other institutions to do a similar degree on a part time basis?
3. Is a degree even worth it? From a marketability perspective, will companies view me better if I have this degree vs if I had a diploma or training certificate or something to that effect?

For more context, I work in the real estate sector of the bank as a property valuer but really am looking to pivot into something more dynamic, interesting and with more opportunities all over the globe. I currently have an honours degree so this would be my 2nd degree.

Assistance would really be appreciated!

Thanks all

 

[cguy]

1) My recommendation would be Python. Not sure what Unisa is teaching now, but it is getting very popular, powerful and easy to learn. What you learn here will be applicable to any language.
2) You can do the degree part time through Unisa - this is probably more typical than not.
3) Yes and yes. Although, I strongly suggest self-teaching yourself some programming so long in 2020. The practical experience you get from learning, at least a bit of it yourself, and experiencing the degree with this context afterwards, is extremely useful, and will likely give you an edge in any technical interviews you do afterwards.

 

[Anomalies]

1) My recommendation would be Python. Not sure what Unisa is teaching now, but it is getting very popular, powerful and easy to learn. What you learn here will be applicable to any language.
2) You can do the degree part time through Unisa - this is probably more typical than not.
3) Yes and yes. Although, I strongly suggest self-teaching yourself some programming so long in 2020. The practical experience you get from learning, at least a bit of it yourself, and experiencing the degree with this context afterwards, is extremely useful, and will likely give you an edge in any technical interviews you do afterwards.

Thank you for your response! Really helpful!