How to Study in South Africa for International Students
South Africa is a great place for tertiary studies if you’re looking to pursue a fulfilling career. Graduates from universities here are known for being well-prepared to enter the international workforce. Despite having 11 official languages, study programs in South Africa are taught in English, making it easier for many international students while eliminating the need to master additional languages.
When it comes to the choices that are available, South Africa currently has 39 universities, from which 25 universities are a part of the public sector and 14 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in South Africa you should definitely check out are University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, and University of the Witwatersrand.
Being able to study in South Africa as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in South Africa, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in South Africa
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in South Africa, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 9,000 Rand to 291,200 Rand, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 0 Rand and 300,000 Rand.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in South Africa
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in South Africa, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Mandela University | 26,500 Rand - 66,500 Rand | 18,900 Rand - 80,900 Rand |
| Vaal University of Technology | 23,100 Rand - 24,700 Rand | 20,500 Rand - 22,100 Rand |
| University of Limpopo | 38,400 Rand - 248,300 Rand | 29,800 Rand - 298,600 Rand |
| University of Zululand | 35,300 Rand - 59,100 Rand | 7,173 Rand |
| Central University of Technology | 25,000 Rand - 108,800 Rand | 80,000 Rand - 116,000 Rand |
| University of Mpumalanga | 33,700 Rand - 46,800 Rand | 19,800 Rand - 40,000 Rand |
| University of Fort Hare | 18,700 Rand - 44,400 Rand | 18,700 Rand - 27,100 Rand |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology | 9,060 Rand - 30,700 Rand | 9,060 Rand - 30,700 Rand |
| Durban University of Technology | 44,400 Rand - 50,000 Rand | |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University | 33,700 Rand - 189,800 Rand | 34,500 Rand - 103,500 Rand |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology | 9,340 Rand - 56,100 Rand | 10,500 Rand - 23,700 Rand |
| University of the Western Cape | 71,800 Rand - 83,500 Rand | 48,800 Rand |
| Rhodes University | 49,600 Rand - 73,800 Rand | 25,900 Rand - 147,100 Rand |
| North-West University | 47,700 Rand - 70,600 Rand | |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | 31,500 Rand - 291,200 Rand | 0 Rand - 291,200 Rand |
| Stellenbosch University | 46,500 Rand - 132,800 Rand | 18,800 Rand - 75,600 Rand |
| University of the Witwatersrand | 41,100 Rand - 157,700 Rand | 20,200 Rand - 125,600 Rand |
| University of Cape Town | 48,700 Rand - 91,100 Rand | 15,000 Rand - 262,300 Rand |
| University of Johannesburg | 23,100 Rand - 72,000 Rand | 40,900 Rand - 102,000 Rand |
| University of Venda | 23,200 Rand - 60,400 Rand | 31,600 Rand - 33,900 Rand |
| University of Pretoria | 35,000 Rand - 152,000 Rand | 19,800 Rand - 138,000 Rand |
| University of the Free State | 37,400 Rand - 78,100 Rand | 25,600 Rand |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in South Africa
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| STADIO Higher Education | 56,100 Rand - 91,600 Rand | |
| Regenesys Business School | 100,000 Rand | 150,000 Rand - 300,000 Rand |
| South African College of Applied Psychology | 55,700 Rand - 71,600 Rand | 68,100 Rand |
| Cornerstone Institute | 73,500 Rand | |
| IIE Monash South Africa | 81,500 Rand - 108,200 Rand | 68,500 Rand - 133,200 Rand |
| St. Augustine College of South Africa | 9,000 Rand - 52,200 Rand | 29,500 Rand - 34,000 Rand |
| Red and Yellow Creative School of Business | 31,200 Rand | |
| Stenden South Africa | 99,500 Rand | |
| Helderberg College of Higher Education | 55,600 Rand - 65,200 Rand | |
| CTU Training Solutions | 50,000 Rand | |
| Management College of South Africa | 21,000 Rand - 22,000 Rand | 46,100 Rand - 58,100 Rand |
| IIE Varsity College | 60,300 Rand - 95,500 Rand |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in South Africa, check out the Cheap Universities in South Africa!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in South Africa for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in South Africa, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In South Africa, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in South Africa may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in South Africa are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in South Africa and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
IIE Monash South Africa
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 79
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 79
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Nelson Mandela University
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 90
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in South Africa
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in South Africa have online applications available on their websites, like University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in South Africa.
University of Cape Town
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Stellenbosch University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of the Witwatersrand
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in South Africa differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in South Africa.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in South Africa
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in South Africa. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to South Africa as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in South Africa. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa.
To start your student visa application in South Africa, you will need to present the following:
- Completed Visa Application Form BI-1738
- A passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit
- Application fee payment
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of medical cover
- Cash deposit equal to return ticket value
- Medical and radiology report
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in South Africa is 425 ZAD for DHA Application Fee, 1550 ZAD for VFS Service Fee.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Apply to the nearest VFS Center or South African embassy near you.
- Submit application requirements at VFS Center or embassy.
- Await visa approval and receive once approved.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in South Africa. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!