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Study Abroad in South Africa

Study in South Africa 

South Africa is one of the most culturally and ethnically rich countries in Africa, with the largest number of racially diverse communities. A perfect amalgamation of ethnic groups, picturesque natural beauty, modern cities and state-of-the-art education system makes it one of the most popular destinations to study abroad.

Over the years, the country has witnessed rapid development, with special initiatives to bring education in South Africa at par with global standards. The country boasts of some  premium schools and colleges that promise unparalleled academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-renowned faculties and prestigious industry placements that makes it a popular choice for higher education.

 

As per the 2014 edition of Study South Africa, an annual publication of the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), the number of international students in the country was 72,875 in 2012, which is a tremendous growth from a figure of just 12,600 international students in the year 1994 (when South Africa became a democracy.)

If you are aspiring to pursue higher education in your field of specialization, here is some valuable information about South Africa that will help students in India make a good choice.

Where to Study in South Africa?

South Africa boasts of a high-end education system, with some of the top-notch universities and institutions offering world-class academics and excellent instructional methodology. Study abroad in South Africa to discover unlimited opportunities in higher education. If you are looking to pursue education here, the best cities for students are Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch, Durban and Pretoria. As per the 2016 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), the best universities in South Africa (and their world rankings) are:

  1. University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) (176th)
  2. University of Cape Town (UCT) (265th)
  3. Stellenbosch University (329th)
  4. University of KwaZulu-Natal (467th)
  5. University of Pretoria (UP) (697th)

Students seeking higher education in South Africa can pursue a mix of different courses as offered by each university.

Why Study abroad in South Africa?

There are several reasons why South Africa is a preferred study abroad destination for students in India –

  1. Fast-pace of development and a metropolitan lifestyle.
  2. Excellent education system with a number of premier universities and institutions.
  3. wide range of courses to choose from.
  4. Excellent placements on completion of higher studies.
  5. It is a more affordable option than studying in the US, UK or Australia.

Need more reasons to study in South Africa? Check out this article: Why South Africa is popular among students as a study destination

Cost of Education

The tuition fees varies from college to college. As of 2016, Wits University requires international students to pay 75% of both the tuition fee and on-campus residence fee on or before registration. Most universities charge double the tuition fee from international students (unless they belong to any of the 14 African countries that are part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC.) Despite this, the cost of studying in South Africa is much lesser when compared with varsities in the US and UK.

  • The tuition fee for a 4 year Bachelors in Engineering (Computers) from the University of Pretoria is R1,73,840 (approximately Rs.8.5 lakhs.)
  • An MBA from Wits University has a tuition fee of R2,04,310 (around Rs. 10 lakhs.)

Foreign students could also avail the scholarships offered by different universities based on the candidate’s academic records.

R = South African Rand (currency of South Africa)

Getting a Student Visa to Study in South Africa

As an Indian student planning to pursue higher education in South Africa, you should know the complete process of applying for a study visa to SA.

An added advantage is that as a student-visa holder in South Africa, you are legally allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

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