What is a University?
A university is an organization that provides higher learning to individuals and promotes knowledge and discovery.
Universities can grant academic degrees, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees; many universities also offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Since universities are 4-year institutions, they don’t usually offer 2-year associate’s degree programs.
Cheap Universities In South Africa
1. Rhodes University
Regarding quality and affordable universities in South Africa, Rhodes University is one of the universities that should come to your mind.
This university was founded in 1904 through funds created by the Rhodes Trust. It was named after a lady called Cyril Rhodes. This university is located at Drosty Rd, Grahamstown, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa.
Rhodes University is ranked among the top 5 ranked schools in South Africa and among the top 700 universities in the world. There are different programs you can study at this university. Programs range from the humanities to science, commerce, law, education, pharmacy, etc. These programs are available for both local and international students.
The tuition fee at this university is also affordable as undergraduate studies cost between 21,000 and 31,000 rands for local students. In addition, it ranges between 36,000 and 39,000 rands for international students.
2. The University of Pretoria, South Africa
The University of Pretoria is among the cheapest universities in South Africa with low tuition fees. It is one of the most renowned in the country.
The University of Pretoria is one of the largest educational institutes in the country, and it has students from all over the world. This university is located at Lynnwood Rd, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa, and was founded in 1908.
This university boasts of providing over 1,000 programs for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. They also offer programs for part-time and online students. The programs offered by this university include technology management, medicine, public management, vet science, healthcare science, and more.
They are rated among the top 600 universities in the world according to QS rankings. They are also ranked among the top 900 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education Rankings.
3. Saint Augustine College of South Africa
Saint Augustine College of South Africa is a private institution that offers one of the most affordable undergraduate and postgraduate programs in South Africa. An institution seeks to promote a diverse and loving environment for its students.
Its mission is to help others improve their lives by teaching them moral values to serve society better in the future. It is located at Cedarwood Office Park, Mount Lebanon Rd, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191, South Africa, and was founded in November 1997.
4. University of Kwazula Natal
The University of KwaZula Natal was founded in 2004 after a merger between 2 major universities, namely the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. It is at 238 Mazisi Kunene Rd, Glenwood, Durban, 4041, South Africa.
It prides itself on establishing a structure that focuses on the growth and development of its students. KwaZulu Natal University is an ideal university for undergraduate studies as it is known for its research-led facilities.
This university consists of 4 major colleges. These colleges offer courses ranging from agriculture to medicine, physics, public health, religion, social science, law and management studies, and much more.
5. University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a leading public institution in South Africa. This university was founded on 1st October 1829, making it the oldest living university in South Africa. It is located at Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa, and boasts over 25,000 students.
This university started as a college for secondary school boys and later evolved into a university in the early 19th century. The University of Cape Town is a leading school in academic learning, as almost all its academic staff are Ph.D. holders.
6. University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg is another public university ideal for your studies. This university was founded on January 1, 2005. It resulted from a merger between 3 major universities, namely the Rand Afrikaans University, the Technikon Witwatersrand, and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista university. This university has over 40,000 students, with more than 5,000 of them being international students.
This university offers undergraduate courses, including industrial psychology, accounting, fashion design, applied physics, tourism development & management, and more.
They also offer master’s degree programs in education, clinical social work, business administration, etc. These courses are available to both domestic and international students.
7. Mangosuthu University of Technology
The Mangosuthu University of Technology is a leading university of technology located at 511 Griffiths Mxenge Hwy, Umlazi, Durban, 4031, South Africa.
This university was founded in 1979 and has more than 10,000 students. The university has several affiliations with the Commonwealth University Association and the African University Association.
This reputable university is ranked among the top 6000 universities in the world, according to Edurank. It is also ranked among the top 8,000 universities in the world, according to UNIrank. You can study several undergraduate courses at this university, such as environmental health, chemistry, nature conservation, etc. The university also runs a graduate program for students looking to pursue postgraduate studies.
This university charges 9,000 to 35,000 rands for domestic and international undergraduate students making it one of the cheapest universities in South Africa.
8. University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare is a popular public university known for its low tuition fees. This university was founded in 1916 and has a rich history of fighting political apartheid. The University of Fort Hare is located at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus, Ring Road, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
This university boasts a practical-based education style that allows students to deal effectively with today’s challenges.
It also boasts over 10,000 students studying various courses across its campuses. You can study different courses at this university, such as fine arts, theology, social work, music, etc. These courses apply to both graduate and undergraduate programs.
How to Apply for a Scholarship at South African Universities?
You can use different methods to apply for scholarships at South African universities. The method you should use largely depends on the school and the scholarship application process. You will be required to apply for a scholarship online for some schools. There are usually several portals that are occasionally open for students to submit applications for scholarships. You can use any of these school portals to apply for their scholarships.
You can also apply manually at the school premises, besides an online application. That is if you are a student and resident at the school. Lastly, you can apply through a third-party organization that finds scholarships for interested students.
Whichever method you use, you must check the scholarship requirements and guidelines before you apply. This will allow you to know if you are eligible for the scholarship.
How Can I Obtain a Student Visa in South Africa?
Obtaining a student visa after applying to one of the cheap universities in South Africa is relatively easy. All you need to do is apply for the visa online and confirm your admission to a registered university in South Africa.
Once you have done this, download the BL-1738 form and complete it. Schedule an appointment with the embassy and present your relevant documents. Lastly, pay the application fee and wait for feedback.
While applying for a student visa, you must know that there are several requirements you must meet. These requirements include medical records, health coverage, proof of adequate finances, and much more.
Can International Students Work In South Africa
Yes, international students can work in South Africa as long as they have a valid student visa. Before opting to work, you must know there is a limit to the number of hours you can put in at work with a student visa.
How much is tuition fees in South Africa for international students?
On average, the tuition fee can be from 14000 Rand to 34000 Rand per annum. International students can expect a budget of 5300 to 13000 Rand to cover the monthly costs of living in South Africa. The overall student living expenses in South Africa can go up or down based on your lifestyle and spending habits.