Study in South Africa

A guide for international students wanting to study in South Africa

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Study in South Africa

  

Study in South Africa

  

When searching for the ideal ‘study abroad’ destination, there are three factors that are pivotal; the first is the quality of education and the second is the cost of study, the third factor is proximity. The cost of study in South Africa will generally be cheaper than in “first world” countries because of the relative currency exchange rate. What attracts students to South Africa is the cost of study priced in rands when compared to study destinations which price their programmes in dollars, pounds or euros.  The quality of universities in South Africa is high when benchmarked against international study destinations. According to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking of the top universities around the world, there are three prominent universities in South Africa in the top 500 universities in the world. 

  

University of Cape Town 200

University of the Witwatersrand 381

Stellenbosch University 405

There are three other South African universities in the top 800:

University of Pretoria

University of Johannesburg 

University of Kwazulu-Natal.

  

A growing number of students are undergraduate and post-graduate degrees at this institutions. In addition, there are a number of ‘semester study abroad” programmes on offer to students wanting a short stay and experience of study in Cape Town. One of the most popular is the semester study abroad programme (SSA) offered by the UCT faculties of Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Humanities, Law and Science. The programme is designed for international students who wish to spend one or two semesters at UCT, taking (mostly) undergraduate courses for the purpose of transferring credit, on completion, to their home institution. For more information visit, www.iapo.uct.ac.za.

  

University International Offices:

University of Cape Town 

Stellenbosch University

University of the Western Cape 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology 

  

Closing Dates for International Students:

Stellenbosch University

Undergraduate applications open on, 1 March and close on 30 June. The closing date for most postgraduate programmes is 30 September.  Source

University of Pretoria International Students 

University of Witwatersrand International Students 

University of Johannesburg International Students -  Applications open on 1 April of the year preceding the year of intended study and closes on 28 September.

University of the Freestate International Students: Closing date for undergraduate programmes is usually 31 August. 

Nelson Mandela University International Students - Deadline - 31 October 2019 (Application fee of R500) Source

    

Entry Requirements for International Students

Foreign students wishing to register for first-degree studies in South Africa must have their school qualifications evaluated by the Matriculation Board that will then issue a certificate of exemption to those who qualify. A matriculation exemption is a legal requirement for first-degree study at a South African university. The Board is a statutory body which evaluates foreign school leaving certificates for endorsement for admission to South African universities. All International applicants with high school qualifications achieved outside of the Republic of South Africa require a certificate of exemption from the Matriculation Board of South Africa for admission into undergraduate studies. 

To study towards an honours or a masters degree in South Africa you will need to have completed a bachelor degree or equivalent at a university in your own country. A doctorate will require at least a masters degree in your chosen field of research.

    

Steps in obtaining an exemption certificate for foreign students

Step 1: Do an online application to the Matriculation Board, here, https://mbit-application.usaf.ac.za/assessment/

Step 2: Submit the Matriculation Exemption application fee payable to the Matriculation Board along with certified copies of your original education certificates. The Matriculation Board only accepts certified copies of original documents if they are certified by the Registrar of a South African university, a South African Embassy or Consulate, a Public Notary, or a Commissioner of Oaths at a South African Trade Mission. 

  



Note: 

  • Applicants who are attending or have attended a University within or outside the Republic of South Africa, must submit an academic transcript that covers the period of study, especially if they intend on being granted exemption from modules or courses at University.
    Valid Passport or Identity Document or Birth Certificate
  • Sworn English Translation of documents (Documents issued in any Language other than English)
  • Provide proof of a non-refundable Application Fee (approximately R500)
  • Provide proof of the English Proficiency where English was not used as a medium of learning and teaching (the University prefers the applicant to take the IELTS at an overall score of 6 and TOEFL at an average score of 80–104 for Undergraduate programmes).
  • Documents not in English need to be translated by a sworn translator.

  

Cost of Study in South Africa

An undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree generally costs between R66 000 and R150 000 per year. Costs largely depend on your chosen subject. For example, most undergraduate studies, such as arts, humanities, social sciences, management or engineering cost between R60 000 and R120 000 per year whilst science and technology studies generally cost between R70 000 and R 150 000 per year.

Additional costs when studying in South Africa may include Student Health Cover charges which you need to budget for. International fees apply only to public (government) study institutions and do not include those citizens of Southern African Development Corporation (SADEC) countries.

It is not just the cost of tuition fees which need to be considered, but also the cost of rent and transport. In order to study in Cape Town you will have to pay tuition fees. Each institution in Cape Town sets its own tuition fees, therefore the fees you will need to pay will depend on your chosen institution, subject and your level of study.

Not just the cost of tuition fees, but also how much things like rent and transport will cost you. Each institution in South Africa sets its own tuition fees, therefore the fees you will need to pay will depend on your chosen institution, subject and your level of study.

Most international students must pay foreign student fees at South African universities. Under certain conditions however, international students can be exempt from paying foreign student fees because they are classed as domestic students (one example of such a category of students are international students enrolled in PhD programmes). Students from SADEC countries also pay local student fees.

How much does it cost to Study?

When you’re looking for that perfect study abroad destination, there is one factor that is often pivotal to whether or not you can study there; the cost. 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Fees

University of Cape Town Fees

University of Stellenbosch Fees

University of Western Cape fees

  

Cost of Living in South Africa 

The cost of living in Cape Town will mostly depend on your location and can vary between R70 000 and R120 000 per year. This will also depend on your lifestyle and your selected accommodation option. You can choose between various options while studying in Cape Town: Private accommodation is approximately R8000 per month.  

Living expenses vary greatly between different universities and locations. Therefore, it’s important to do your research with regard to fees and costs in your chosen location. This may be a deciding factor so it’s important to get all the relevant info as soon as possible. It’s also good to have at least two options so that you can choose the one that is best for you.

SADEC Countries

An applicant who has passed the first year of a four-year degree in a country such as Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya must apply for a foreign conditional exemption. Candidates who have written the ‘O’ levels are not eligible for admission to a South African university. Faculty requirements vary and are usually stated on this website but can also be obtained from the faculty officer. An applicant who has completed the first year of a four-year degree in a country such as Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya must apply for a foreign conditional exemption.

International fees apply only to public (government) study institutions and do not include those citizens of Southern African Development Corporation (SADEC) countries. SADEC countries include: Angola, Botswana, Congo (DR), Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For all other students studying at public institutions, an international term fee is levied in addition to the course fees. Non-SADEC students are thus required to pay an international term fee plus their course fees. Fees are levied annually.

National Benchmark Tests (NBT's) The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) are competed by all first year students as a supplement to secondary school reports on learning achieved in Literacy and Mathematics.  Both are administered under standardized testing conditions at sites across South Africa and at specific international test centres. The results are also used by universities in course development, programme planning and placement decisions. To find a test centre in Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana Zambia and Zimbabwe visit the NBT website, nbt.uct.ac.za. Students living in an a remote area or in another country can register as a remote writer by mailing, nbtremote@uct.ac.za

   

Scholarships and Bursaries

To help your financial situation while studying in South Africa may apply for various scholarships. There are a wide variety of scholarships available to international students provided by educational institutions, private sources and foreign governments. Most public tertiary institutions offer scholarships to international masters and PhD students. Applications can be made through the faculty office. These scholarships can considerably reduce the international term fee component. Read more about bursaries and international scholarships by visiting, www.gostudynet/bursaries. For more on bursaries and scholarships for African students visit,

   

Visa requirements

All people who wish to study in South Africa will need a student visa. The only exception applies to SADEC citizens who can study in South Africa without a visa. All other international students will have to acquire a student visa. Regardless of what it is you aim to study, and for how long, moving abroad to study is always going to take a little more preparation and forethought than studying at home.

It is advisable to start preparing approximately a year in advance to secure a student visa. Apply to the study institutions of your choice. Visa requirements vary for each parent country. Each student should take care to apply in advance through the Embassy or Consulate of that country in the student's home country or nearest neighbouring country.

Your student visa will state how long you can stay in the country, whether you can work while studying, who is listed as your dependent, and more. In order to get your student visa, you need to officially apply for it and pay a student visa application fee. If you are already in South Africa when applying for your student visa, you will need to go through the regular application process. In some cases you might be able to process your student visa directly on campus.

Contact SAvisas.com for assistance with your South African study visa

   

Where to stay?

Living arrangements during study at the tertiary level can usually be organized through the university, college or institute. Most institutions have housing departments that can help you with allocation to university housing or off campus living. In many cases, international students are guaranteed a place in a university hall of residence during the first year, and in some cases throughout their period of study.

It is common, especially during the first years of study, to live in accommodation provided by the university. There are usually catered or self catering halls of residence to choose from depending on your preference and budget. 

How much does it cost to Study at University in South Africa? 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology Fees

University of Cape Town Fees

University of South Africa Fees

University of Stellenbosch Fees

University of Western Cape fees

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