South Africa’s Embassy in China Information

Question 1: What is the Economic situation of South Africa?
A: South Africa is a moderately developed country. Its per capita income is more than 1,000 U.S. dollars. Its GDP per capita is over 4,000 U.S. dollars. It is the world's top five mining country, top eight agricultural and industrial country and top 10 exporters of military products. South Africa has the most advanced African transport, power, communications and other industrial infrastructure.  

Question 2: Are students safe in South Africa?
A: Over the years of war in Africa, South Africa is one of the countries that were not involved in war. It has rapid economic development and the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela advocated against the use of force and violence. After the abolition of apartheid, the black came to power through peaceful elections. There is no social unrest. Now, whites and blacks are living together harmoniously and there is social stability. There is no racism in South Africa and students can enjoy quality and safe education. There are no security problems. South Africa 's residential zone is divided into white and black district. White areas are divided into the rich areas and the wage-earners. Chinese students generally live in a white school or district, so security is not a problem.  

Question 3: Are there many ethnic Chinese in South Africa? Is there a Chinatown like that in the Untied States?
A: Compared with the other countries, in South Africa there are less Chinese and majority came from Taiwan and Hong Kong. In South Africa’s cities, there are Chinese restaurants and shops where you can buy food and Chinese products. However, there is no Chinatown.

Question 4: Do students pay application fee if they want to study in South Africa?
A: Costs vary from school to school, and every year there will be changes Admission application fee is non-refundable.

Question 5: What is the meaning of SAQA?
A: South Africa Qualification Affairs, A: SAQA means South Africa Qualification Affairs. This is South Africa’s academic degree certification committee. Unlike other countries, if you want to study in South Africa, you must first go through the SAQA for certification of your academic degree before you could submit applications to the schools or universities. SAQA accreditation will take about 30 working days and certification fee is about 50 dollars, but every year there will be changes.

Question 6: Do I have medical insurance if I want to study in South Africa?
A: There are. Medical insurance is processed by the University's Office of International Affairs. International students can enjoy health insurance benefits. For the application and renewal of medical insurance, you should present necessary materials such as student visa.

Question 7: What is the approximate cost/expense if I want to study in South Africa ?
A: The total cost per year is about 3,000 U.S. dollars.

Total costs include tuition, registration fee, books, medical insurance, accommodation, meals, transportation, entertainment expenses, and other personal and overhead expenses.

Again, tuition varies depending on the school and the degree that you applied.

Fee: South African government does not provide subsidies for international undergraduate students. The school fees vary depending on the standard of the school. For example, University of Cape Town ranked first in South Africa and the annual tuition is 4,000 U.S. dollars. Some professional courses are even higher. Several of the top universities generally cost 2000 dollars. Most of the schools cost less than 1,000 U.S. dollars. Some schools even charge international undergraduate students higher tuition compared to local students, usually three times higher.

Registration fee: Each year the student will pay for the registration fee.

Books: Books in South Africa are expensive but you can buy second-hand or used books because they are cheap.

Lodging and meals cost: Students studying in South Africa can have three options:

1) Student Apartments: Single room about 50-70 U.S. dollars / month. Room for two persons is cheaper. Meals in the school cafeteria are about 90-100 U.S. dollars / month.

2) Off-campus apartment depends on various conditions but since you can cook you will only spend about 40-50 U.S. dollars / month for meals.

Renting from white people’s apartment or living with them will cost about 100 dollars / month.

Question 8: Can I apply for scholarship if I will study in South Africa?
A: Generally, there are no undergraduate scholarships. Graduate students who have outstanding academic achievement may apply for postgraduate scholarships. In addition there are some scholarships offered by enterprises that have close relation with the school.

Question 9: What are the basic requirements for studying in South Africa?
A: For those applying for a bachelor’s degree, they should have higher education diploma, high school diploma, vocational training schools diploma, or other relevant qualifications. For those applying for masters, they should present relevant professional qualifications and their undergraduate certificate or graduate certificate if they have already obtained another graduate degree before. The SAQA will review your certificates and tell whether your certificate is suitable for the degree you are applying, what courses that you have taken that can be credited, how many hours or units you need just in case you change your majors, and so on.

Question 10: What are the language requirements?
A: Schools are not the same. The three types of schools are:

1) Those that admit students and do not require language examination scores or language proficiency but request them to study in the language training center to enhance their English.

2) Universities that admit students without language requirements and language training courses but require difficult interviews. Such schools have cooperation with English training schools that provides interview guides and training. The language training cost is approximately 260 U.S. dollars / month.

3) Universities that require language performance such as TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS of 6 or higher. But even if the student has high language examination results, it does not guarantee that they can adapt easily to an English learning environment so these universities also offer language courses for students to have professional edge. Months prior to the start of registration, students start studying English and they also attend specialized courses to adapt to the professional learning.

Question 11: When is the enrollment time of the universities in South Africa?
A: Majority of the schools is in January or early February. A small number of professional secondary schools is in July.

Question 12: When is the best time to apply?
A: Because the South African universities have a quota for international students, the sooner the better.

Question 13: Which school is better in South Africa in terms of their high school, secondary, vocational, and graduate education?
A: Pretoria Polytechnic University is the first choice. The tuition fee is less than 1,000 US dollars/year and there is orientation for your future occupation.

Question 14: What is the good university in South Africa that offer postgraduate degree?
A: The University of Western Cape is good and does not require language proficiency. It has beautiful campus environment, high quality teaching, low fees, and minimal admission requirements. If you want to learn more practical skills and knowledge then Pretoria Polytechnic University is the most ideal choice.  

Question 15: What are the materials needed in applying to the universities in South Africa?
A: 1) biographical notes; 2) notarized copies of birth certificates; 3) copy of passport; 4) passport size photographs; 5) notarized copies of English and Chinese transcripts; 6) language results (if any); 7) academic diplomas that have been authenticated by SAQA; 8) 300-500 words of study plan or personal statement, academic interests, hobbies, and learning during the undergraduate years; 9) three letters of recommendation with the name of the referees and their academic status and eligibility

Question 16 ： Can students have part-time work in South Africa while studying?
A: South African law provides that international students are not allowed to have work during their studies in South Africa.

Question 17: After graduating from South Africa, is it possible to be employed there and to apply as an immigrant?
A: If a company or related agencies hire you after your graduation, you should apply for work permit. If you are already working for years then you can apply for permanent residency.

Question 18: If I apply to schools in South Africa, how long can I receive the notice?
A: The length of time varies depending on the school and the profession or degree but usually it takes three months.

Question 19: If I go to South Africa to study, how long can I receive the student visa?
A: Most embassy, after receiving the application forms, issue the visa after three to four weeks. If the student meet the school requirements and was given admission notice, then visa can be guaranteed.

Question 20: How long is the student visa in South Africa?
A: Student visa’s expiration is for a year because the renewal is very simple. A month before the expiration of the visa you should fill in an application form and submit to the school’s international affairs office. The office will then forward it to the designated agency that will complete the formalities.

Question 21: How much money or fund do I have to prepare to prove my financial ability to study in South Africa?
A: Most require 65,000 yuan deposits to prove that you can survive for six months in South Africa.

Question 22: Why do I have to pay visa deposit if I want to get student visa for South Africa?
A: According to South African law, in order to prevent foreigners from being stranded in South Africa they need to pay a deposit for repatriation costs and fines if they arise. The deposit is a requirement for visa. Students are not only the ones who pay for the deposit but also for those applying for business visas and tourist visa. The deposit is 15,000 yuan.

Question 23: Can I change school during my studies in South Africa?
A: In changing schools, the old and new school should give their consent to prove that the student can be transferred and had already obtained school clearance. The student should also have an outstanding record in his former school.