Database Administration

By the end, you can design a small relational database, write SQL to manage it, set up users and backups, and restore data after a problem.

Job-ready skillAbout 120 hours3 stagesFree

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Database administrators keep a company's data safe, fast and available: they design tables, manage users, take backups and fix slow queries. Every system that stores data needs one.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsLearn relational databases and SQL basics.Task: Install free MySQL or PostgreSQL. Create a database for a small school (learners, classes, marks) with at least three related tables and sample data.Core skillsManage databases: indexes, users and permissions, backups and restores.Task: Add indexes, create a read-only user and an admin user, take a backup, delete a table on purpose and restore it. Write each command and what it did.Applied practiceKeep data healthy: performance, security, POPIA and monitoring.Task: Find and fix one slow query using EXPLAIN, and write a one-page backup and access policy for a small business that follows POPIA principles.

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What competent looks like

Designs related tables with keys
Writes and tunes SQL queries
Manages users with least privilege
Backs up and restores without panic
Applies POPIA principles to stored personal data

The South African route

No licence needed. Microsoft (Azure Database Administrator) and Oracle offer recognised certificates. MICT SETA learnerships are a funded route.

Free resources

Relational Database certification
freeCodeCamp
PostgreSQL official tutorial
PostgreSQL

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Junior database administrator
SQL support analyst
Data engineer trainee
Application support