Study in South Africa
Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Area: 1 221 037 km2
Population: 51 million
Currency: South African rand (ZAR)
Telephone code: +27
The nine provinces of the South African political system have their own parliament and administration (they have the possibility of adopting a particular constitution, as long as it is compatible with the national constitution).
South Africa had a population of 54 million in mid-2014, with 80.2% of Blacks, 8.8% of Mixed race, 8.4% of Whites and 2.5% of Asians (Indian subcontinent). It is often referred to as the "rainbow nation", a concept invented by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to describe the diversity of the South African nation and which replaced the concept of a plural society previously used by apartheid theorists (1948-1991).
South Africa has nine metropolitan municipalities: Tshwane (including Pretoria), Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni (formerly East Rand), Ethekwini (including Durban), Cape Town and Nelson Mandela (including Port Elizabeth), and more recently Maugeng, Buffalo City (connected to East London) and Msunduzi (Pietermaritzburg).
South Africa is experiencing continuous tourism growth. The discovery of national parks and other reserves of animals with excellent reception facilities remains one of the main arguments of the stay, but the country presents many other attractions.
Student visa
Candidates who wish to continue their studies in South Africa must obtain a Student Permit prior to their departure. The request has to be made to the nearest South African Embassy in their country of origin.
- Validity: depending on the duration of the studies
- Cost: US $ 200
- Required documents: a study permit application form, a valid passport for at least one year, a conditional admission official letter from the university, a financial guarantee, a medical certificate, a repatriation guarantee (cash deposit equal to the price of a return ticket to the country of origin of the student).
Working visa
Foreign students are not allowed to work in South Africa. However, a waiver may be granted to students who are required to do practical work as part of their studies or research, whether at university or with any related organization. In this case, an application for a Work Permit has to be submitted to the nearest South African Embassy in their country of origin.
- Cost: US $ 200
- Required documents: a work permit application form, a valid passport for at least one year, a cover letter from the employer, an employment contract, a medical certificate and a police certificate.
The country has the best universities on the continent. South Africa has 23 public higher education institutions. There are 11 state universities, 6 universities of technology (or Technikons) and 6 multi-purpose universities.
These two types of higher education institutions offer a full range of specialties:
Technikons are technical School or Universities of Technology that, in three years study, provide a national diploma or four years of study (Bachelor's degree of Technology). It allows to preparing for integrating professional life in the technological or the trade sector.
Universities offer courses from the 1st to the 3rd cycle in diverse and extensive fields: information technology, medicine, administrative management, human and social sciences, law, agriculture, civil engineering, architecture, natural sciences, and so on.
There are over 100 private institutions of higher education in the country.
The country being located in the southern hemisphere, the school year is organized in two semesters:
- the first from the end of January to June;
- the second from July to November.
Study Abroad
In this section, find testimonials from students. Useful information country by country, such as administrative formalities, the cost of living.
