South African higher education is considered the best in Africa. For the past twenty years, South Africa has been experiencing an influx of international students because of its quality education and affordable tuition fees.
Enrollment requirements in South African universities
There are certain requirements for enrolling in an institution, whether public or private, for international students.
It is advisable to start the registration process at least six months in advance because it is long and tedious. The academic year is divided into two semesters, from the end of January to June and from July to November.
The exemption certificate
International students who wish to enroll in undergraduate studies in South Africa must have their academic qualifications assessed by the Board of Exemption, which will issue a Certificate of Exemption.
The documents to be provided should be sent to the USAF Matriculation Board:
PO Box 3854
0001 Pretoria
For enrollment in a second or third cycle, the application for exemption must be made to the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA):
SAQA
Postnet Suite 248
Private Bag X06
0145 Waterkloof
For undergraduate and graduate students, the documents to be provided are:
- Form M30 to be completed to be requested online at applications@usaf.ac.za. (exemption certificate)
- Proof of payment
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of completion of studies
Documents must be translated and certified by a notary or embassy. This takes 5 to 10 weeks.
Language skills
Students who are not native English speakers must take the TEFL (Test Of English as Foreign Language). The exam consists of 4 tests: reading comprehension, writing, listening and speaking. Each test is scored out of 30 points. Depending on the university and the studies chosen, the required results are different. If you cannot take the TOEFL in your home country, it is possible to take it in Johannesburg.
Applying to universities in South Africa
University applications in South Africa are done online. Once you have chosen the university and the major, you can download the application form from the university's website. Since the registration procedures may vary from one university to another, it is advisable to read them carefully. Some universities also offer a short online guide for international students.
Universities operate their own selection systems based on Matric scores and may also have their own entrance exams. Vocational courses, Technikon, have less stringent admission requirements, and most courses are accessible without the Baccalaureate or Matric.
Once a student is accepted, the university will issue a provisional letter of admission indicating the amount of tuition to be paid in order to obtain final registration. A letter of acceptance will be issued upon payment. The cost of studies in South Africa varies according to the program and the institution, but it is necessary to count from 20,000.00 to 30,000.00 Rands per year of study, to which must be added an additional cost of approximately 35,000.00 Rands for international students.
The student permit in South Africa
The application for a student permit in South Africa can be made either in the country of origin at the South African embassy or consulate or through the VFS center closest to the chosen school. The visa is issued for the duration of the studies. However, you must first be accepted into an institution. In general, admission to university is by an entrance exam and on the condition of having previously obtained an exemption certificate.
Documents to be provided:
- Visa application form BI-1738, duly completed and signed
- Passport valid for at least 30 days after payment of the prescribed fee.
- Proof of payment of the application fee.
- Full birth certificate.
- Medical and radiological examination reports.
- Criminal record or police certificate from each country in which the applicant has resided for 12 months or more since the age of 18
- Proof of financial means covering tuition and living expenses (bank statements). A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket is also required.
- Contact information for a guardian in South Africa (for minors only).
- Written consent from parents (in the case of a minor).
- Official letter from the school confirming provisional enrollment.
- Proof of medical coverage.
Good to know:
The holder of a student permit is allowed to work part-time but not more than 20 hours per week.
Application to change or renew a visa is possible from within South Africa but must be made sixty days before the expiration of the current visa. Students who have obtained a Ph.D. from a South African university may apply for a Critical Skills visa (entitling them to temporary residence for 5 years).
Scholarships available in South Africa
A list of scholarships for South African and international students is available on the Department of Education website.
Grants are offered by the National Research Foundation.
Scholarships for PhDs are offered by the South African Medical Research Council.
There are twenty-three state universities in South Africa: eleven traditional universities, six technical universities (Technikon), and six comprehensive universities (providing both traditional and technical education). But many private educational institutions also offer undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.
Undergraduate: a three to four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree. The Honour's degree is earned one year after the Bachelor's degree but is the study of a single field of study.
Graduate: (second cycle) is open to holders of a Bachelor's degree and leads to a Master's degree after one to three years of study.
Doctoral degree (third cycle) of four years of study or more. Applicants for this degree must complete a research project and produce a thesis.
South Africa's state universities
Public universities in South Africa
Here are the top universities in South Africa:
The University of Cape Town, founded in 1829, is the oldest university in South Africa. It is considered one of the best research institutions on the continent. It has seven departments: Higher Education Development, Commerce, Engineering and Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.
The University of Pretoria is one of the largest in the country and has 40,000 students. It offers about 1800 academic programs in English and Afrikaans. The Gordon Institute of Business Science has an international reputation, and it also offers programs in Economics and Management, Education, Engineering, Built Environment, Information Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Theology and Veterinary Sciences on nine campuses.
Stellenbosch University, located about 50 kilometers from Cape Town, is one of South Africa's leading research universities, with 30,000 students and 800 staff. The well-known institution offers programs similar to others in the country, a faculty of health sciences at the Tygerberg Hospital and a faculty of military sciences.
The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg is one of the leading research institutions in South Africa. It offers students a high level of education in various fields such as health sciences, humanities, engineering and the built environment, business law and management.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal was founded in 2004 after the merger of the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. Its five campuses are located in the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Rhodes University, located in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape), offers not only a high standard of education but also an exciting social life for students. With over seventy clubs and societies, the university encourages students to develop a wide range of skills in leadership, philosophy, the arts, sports, and more. Its journalism department has a very good reputation.
The vocational universities of technology are called technikons and offer their students four-year vocational programs, but students can also leave earlier and continue their studies while working.
The Tshwane University of Technology, founded in 2004, enrolls approximately 60,000 students every year. The institution offers 170 programs in seven faculties: engineering and the built environment, science, humanities, information and communication technology, arts, economics and finance.
The Central University of Technology, located in Bloemfontein, is the only technical university in the National Medical Device Innovation Platform. It also offers programs at regional learning centers for those who cannot study full-time at the main campus.
The Durban University of Technology is part of the International Association of Universities. The institution consists of seven faculties: Business Studies Unit, Accounting and Computer Science, Applied Sciences, Arts, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences and Management Sciences. The two main campuses are in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Combined universities in South Africa
Combined universities offer both types of education that technical and traditional universities offer.
UNISA (University of South Africa), based in Pretoria, was founded in 1873 and is one of the largest universities in the world. The school has about 300,000 students. It is one of the leading distance learning institutions with five different colleges, a Graduate School of Business Leadership, and an Institute for African Renaissance Studies.
The University of Johannesburg is one of the largest research institutions in South Africa. It is highly committed to the needs of African society, its sustainable development and future growth. It also offers programs in art, design, architecture, economics, humanities, law, management and engineering.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, located in Port Elizabeth, attracts many international students every year for its professional academic training. It offers programs in seven different faculties: Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Law and Science.
Student housing in South Africa
The most expensive cities with the highest cost of living are the major cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, but the cost of living in South Africa is still relatively low for international students.
On-campus accommodation in South Africa is the most convenient because it is close to the university and also the most economical. It also offers a safe environment to meet other students.
On-campus housing consists of large shared apartments with the option of a private or shared room. The price depends on the option chosen, with shared rooms costing around R40,000 per year and private rooms around R60,000.
Most universities in South Africa offer furnished accommodation. There is also the option of private rental and shared accommodation in South Africa, which are more expensive, ranging from R6,000 to R25,000 per month, depending on the area and the services offered.
Over the past 40 years, the government has invested heavily in higher education, the level of which is now internationally recognized. The very high-level universities, the reasonable cost of studies, and the affordable cost of living attract many international students.
Useful links:
Department of Higher Education and Training www.dhet.gov.za
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