Requirements for International Students to Study in South Africa
An international student needs to complete both O and A level examinations in order to get admission to an undergraduate degree program. A C-grade is considered as an acceptable pass-mark at ‘O’ level while an E-grade is regarded as pass-mark at ‘A’ level. A student also needs to have a pass grade in English and Mathematics if they want to apply for science subjects.
Indian students for pursuing an undergraduate course in South Africa need to complete higher secondary (10+2) examination from CBSE/ISC or an equivalent board, with a minimum of 75% in aggregate, including at least 60% in English.
All universities in South Africa are governed by HESA (Higher Education South Africa), who determine the eligibility criteria for international students. As the criteria may change from one year to another, so students can also refer to the HESA website.
Top Colleges in South Africa
Some of the most popular colleges in South Africa are:
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Cape Town
- School of Medicine - Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal
- Faculty of Health Sciences - School of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Southern Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences – School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Orange Free State
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Transkei
- Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town
- Boston House College School of Design, affiliated to Boston House College
- Swarthmore College, Private institution
- South African Theological College
- Academy of Sound Engineering
- Cape Town College of Fashion Design
- Central Johannesburg College (CJC)
- The South African College of Applied Psychology
- Contemporary Music College
Top Universities in South Africa
Some of the most popular universities in South Africa are –
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Rhodes University
- University of Pretoria
- University of Stellenbosch
- University of Free State
- University of the Witwatersrand
- North-West University
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Johannesburg
- University of the Western Cape
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Central University of Technology
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- University of Zululand
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Durban University of Technology
- Vaal University of Technology
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
- University of Venda
Scholarships Offered to International Students
Some of the scholarships offered by different institutes in South Africa are:
- Arcadia scholarships
- IES Gearen Dublin & Developing Regions Scholarship
- Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award
- Lexia Scholarships
- IHP (nternational Honors Program) Grant
- Scholarships for CFHI (Child Family Health International) Programs
- PhD fellowships
- Travel Grants
- The Wadsworth African Fellowships
Financial Expenses to Pursue Education in South Africa
Tuition fees can change from one year to another for international students. At present the expenses for individual courses are –
- Economic & Management Science – RAND 37,530 per year
- Science – RAND 40,370 per year
- Arts – RAND 34,730 per year
- Law – RAND 35,660 per year
- Education – RAND 34,730 per year
- Bachelor of Oral Health I to III – RAND 29,090 per year
- Dentistry: B.CH.D I to V – RAND 41,290 per year
- Community & Health Science – RAND 39,950 per year
Students’ Visa to Pursue Education in South Africa
An international student interested to study in South Africa needs to apply for a study permit. Without a valid permit a student will not be granted admission in any institute, even if admission letter is offered by the same. The application for a study permit should be accompanied by the following documents:
- Passport (Valid for a minimum period of 6 months)
- Letter of acceptance form from respective South African Institute
- Financial documents showing that a student is financially well equipped to cover tuition fees, living expense and other expenses.
- Repatriation guarantee - it is exempted for students who are sponsored by a South African or a permanent resident in SA
- Medical Examination Report and health insurance documents usable in South Africa
- Relevant Permit fee
- A written undertaking that upon completion of the course the student will return to his/her own country.
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificate
- Certificate showing whether the applicant is single, married, widowed or divorced
Education System in South Africa
There are 24 state-funded tertiary institutes, 5 universities of technology, 11 universities offering different courses, and 6 comprehensive institutes in South Africa.
South African education system provides basic schooling to every citizen, which comprises adult basic education and higher studies. As per the country’s Bill of Rights, every state needs to make this education accessible and available to all. NQF (National Qualifications Framework of South Africa) recognizes basically 3 bands of education, namely –
- General Education and Training
- Further Education and Training
- Higher Education and Training
Higher education consists of career-oriented courses, technical and vocational training. On completion, students receive the following certifications depending on the level of education completed:
- Certificate
- Higher certificate
- First diploma
- Bachelor’s degree
- Professional first degree postgraduate
- General first degree
- Postgraduate diploma
- Bachelor degree
- Master degree
- Doctoral degree
Fast Facts
South Africa has one of the highest rates of public investments in world toward education, where the government spends about 20% of total state expenditure toward this particular sector.
- The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) toward educational sector is 5.3%.
- The matric pass rate has considerably increased to 60.6% in 2009 from 40% in 1990.
- Since 2009 May, the national department of education has been split into two ministries- a) Basic Education and b) Higher Education and Training.
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