South Africa : Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

There are currently 23 public higher education institutions in South Africa, divided into three different types of institution: universities of technology; traditional universities; and comprehensive universities. They all offer a wide range of courses.

Private universities also exist and tend to focus on vocational subjects.

What courses are available?

The subject and level of course available depends on the type of institution.

The higher education structure is comparable with the UK system and qualifications are offered at Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral level.

Masters degrees usually require one to two years’ full-time study, while doctoral degrees tend to take three to four years.

Postgraduate courses are typically taught in English and you should contact individual institutions to find out the exact subjects they offer. The University of Cape Town, for example, offers courses in humanities, sciences and engineering.

Where can I study?

Universities with the highest proportion of non-South African students are:

• Rhodes University  
• University of Cape Town  
• University of Fort Hare  
• University of the Western Cape  

A full list of universities in South Africa is available from 4 International Colleges and Universities: South Africa .

Applying for postgraduate study

International students must have a study permit before they are allowed to enrol onto any course in South Africa. They are available from the South African embassy in your home country.

Course applications are made directly to the university and some have online forms that can be downloaded and sent back. Applications are usually accepted throughout the year for research Masters and PhDs but others may have deadlines and so you should check directly with your chosen institution. It is always a good idea to apply as early as possible (e.g. in the previous year) to increase your chances of securing a place. 

It is also necessary to have valid health insurance and to be able to provide proof of this before registering on any course.

Fees and scholarships

UK citizens are required to pay full international fees. The fees that need to be paid can consist of course fees and international term fees. The course fees vary depending on the subject and institution so you should contact your chosen place directly to see what the costs are.

The term fee is levied by the university and again varies. For example, the University of Cape Town charges R11,500 (South African Rands) for a law Masters or PhD, while term fees for other Doctoral or Masters subjects are set at around R22,500 per year.    

Scholarships for postgraduate international students are limited but are available at some institutions. They are unlikely to cover the full cost of the programme. You should contact the international office or the relevant faculty at the university to find out if they offer anything. 

Are there any exchange programmes?

Exchange programmes are more common at undergraduate level, where it is possible to go to a university in South Africa and study for one or two semesters. There may be a few opportunities to carry out exchanges at postgraduate level but you should check with your own international office to see what is available. 

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

South African university qualifications are internationally recognised. UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom)  provides information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from overseas to the UK’s national qualifications framework. Visit their website for more information on the services they provide.