South Africa: Graduate Level Country Guide

South Africa, as our guide explains, is a great alternative destination for graduate-level study.

Known as the ‘rainbow nation’, South Africa is a country with a tragic history but a vibrant, inclusive, and above all, optimistic outlook. In recent years the country has made huge strides and is now one of Africa’s most dynamic up-and-coming nations.

South Africa’s culture comprises a mixture of European and native South African influences, making it a unique cultural melting pot. This diversity is matched by that of its landscape. With five different ecosystems, tropical beaches, savannahs and sprawling Karoo scrublands, South Africa is home to more animal species than Europe and Asia combined. Added to this are energetic cities such as Durban and picturesque Cape Town.

As of 2006, there were over 53,000 international students enrolled at South African universities, and there is a strong tradition of students from elsewhere in Africa undertaking graduate study in South Africa. South Africa’s leading universities are now actively opening their doors to students from outside of the continent.

With both tuition and living expenses considerably lower than those in the UK and US, South Africa’s top universities offer an excellent value-for-money, English-language graduate education.

The South African academic year runs from December to January. There are a total of 23 public universities in South Africa, which are divided into three categories: universities of technology, traditional universities and comprehensive universities.

Unlike standardized national systems, the subject matter, length, and level of graduate programs in South Africa can vary by institution. Traditionally at master's level candidates must complete one to two years full time study, with an emphasis on a lengthy dissertation – though courses consisting of classes and seminars along with a shorter dissertation and other mixed modes of assessment are becoming more common. Doctoral degrees typically last for three years.

South Africa is home to many of Africa’s leading universities. The University of Cape Town (UCT) was ranked 146 in the 2009 QS World University Rankings, making it the only African university to make it into the world’s top 200. The University of Witwatersrand also made it into the rankings at place 321, with the University of Pretoria ranked in the top 500, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the top 600 worldwide.

“UCT has an extensive internationalization program, which includes our long-standing partnerships with comparable institutions across the globe,” says UCT spokesperson Ray Hartle. “UCT plans to increase the number of international postgraduate students undertaking master’s degrees and doctoral research. This is very much part of our vision to take advantage of expanding global networks and our distinct vantage point in Africa.”