If you want to travel in southern Africa then South Africa is a good place to start. While you can fly into any country in southern Africa, most flights will route through South Africa anyway. South Africa is also a good place to get used to travelling in the region (though some would argue that Namibia is better for that). Of course South Africa is not only a jumping off point, it is itself a superb destination rich in culture, fauna & flora and history.
The tip of Africa has been home to the Khoisan (collective name for Hottentot (Koi) and Bushmen (San)) people for thousands of years. Their rock art can still be found in many places throughout South Africa. It is estimated that Bantu tribes may have started to slowly expand into the northernmost areas of what is today Southern Africa around 2,500 years ago and by around 500 AD the different cultural groups had been established in the lush areas to the north and east of the what is today known as Eastern South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
If you want to travel in southern Africa then South Africa is a good place to start. While you can fly into any country in southern Africa, most flights will route through South Africa anyway. South Africa is also a good place to get used to travelling in the region (though some would argue that Namibia is better for that). Of course South Africa is not only a jumping off point, it is itself a superb destination rich in culture, fauna & flora and history.
The tip of Africa has been home to the Khoisan (collective name for Hottentot (Koi) and Bushmen (San)) people for thousands of years. Their rock art can still be found in many places throughout South Africa. It is estimated that Bantu tribes may have started to slowly expand into the northernmost areas of what is today Southern Africa around 2,500 years ago and by around 500 AD the different cultural groups had been established in the lush areas to the north and east of the what is today known as Eastern South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The desert and semi-desert areas of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, as well as the western parts of the Eastern Cape province remained unsettled by the Bantu as the arid climate, limited seasonal rainfall, sparse vegetation and scarcity of natural sources of water could not sustain large migrations of people and herds of cattle, cattle being the primary livestock reared by the Bantu and fulfilling numerous cultural and economic functions within the tribal society (cattle served as a rudimentary currency and basic unit of exchange with a mutually agreeable value between bartering parties, thus fulfilling the function of money).
If you want to study in a country that is diverse, has an excellent academic reputation, and offers a culture that is revered by almost every other nation, you need look no further than South Africa. One of the most popular destinations for studying abroad, South Africa is an excellent choice for any prospective international student.
South Africa, also known as “Republic of South Africa (RSA)” is situated in the southern part of Africa. It is the 25th largest country in the globe by land area that extends along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean. It encompasses a varied group of people, culture, religion and languages.
Education in South Africa has transformed substantially. In the middle 17th Century was the first European school established in Cape Colony. In 1663, second school was opened. Peripatetic teachers used to teach basic math and language. New procedures on school organization were introduced in 1714. Between 1860 and end of 19th century many schools were opened, and new rules and procedures were initiated. Also, basic and higher or tertiary education was structured as separate educational institutions. In 1829, the South African government established South African College, now called as University of Cape Town. During 1984-1990 periods, education was made mandatory for all, but the age varies depending upon the racial groups. In 1996, the South African Schools Acts was put into effect that emphasized on uniform system and in 1997, a new education system called “Curriculum 2005-Outcome based Education” was initiated by the government.
Education in South Africa is managed and regulated by two national departments-
South Africa possesses a single national education system that is administered by the national Department of Education and the nine provincial departments.
In South Africa, as per the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, the state holds a responsibility to make basic education available to all the local individuals. All South Africans have the right to a basic education, along with further education and adult basic education.
The South African higher education system includes 24 public higher education institutions:
In public higher education institutions-
The public higher education institutions intake-
The public higher education institutions qualifications-
The public higher education institutions degrees give-
Source: Council on Higher Education, South Africa- 2011 Data
There were also 83 registered and 32 provisionally registered private higher education institutions in South Africa as of 20 June,2013 .
South Africa has Basic Education System and Higher Education System. The Department of Basic Education categorizes Basic Education System into ‘two’ bands- General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education and Training (FET).
The Basic Education System consists of Primary and Secondary schools. The Primary Schools run from Grade 1 to Grade 7, and Secondary Schools or High Schools run from Grade 8 to Grade 12. Once the Secondary schooling is over, students can attend the Higher Education and Training, or Tertiary Education.
According to the South African Schools Act 1996, Compulsory Education in South Africa starts at the age of 6 years and continues until 15 years of age.
Grades: 1 to 9
Kids can even go for the ‘reception year’ or otherwise known as Grade R or Grade 0, from the age of four years. The first grade begins at the age of 5-6 years. School education lasts for 13 years, from grade 0 to grade 12, or matric-the matriculation year. In South Africa, there are two types of schools- Private and Public Schools.
Basic Areas of Education: During compulsory education, the following subjects are taught-
South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework (NQF) acknowledges three broad bands of education-
The General Education and Training, or Primary Education includes mandatory education years, i.e. from grade 0 to grade 9.
Public preschools are offered by some of the provincial departments of education. Kids up to the age of 7 may attend preschools in South Africa. Preschool is divided into two grades-
In both grades kids learn a language and life skills, arts, mathematics, technology, and cultural classes.
The General Education and Training also comprises of the Adult Basic Education and Training.
The General Education and Training is split up into 3 phases-
The Further Education and Training runs from grade 10 to 12, levels 2 to 4 of the National Qualifications Framework, or the National Certificate levels 1 to 3 in technical colleges. This level of education focuses on career-oriented education and training at private colleges, technical colleges and community colleges. The qualifications recognised at this level are diplomas and certificates.
After completing the 12th grade or the Senior Secondary Education, pupils are required to sit for a written examination that includes at least 6 subjects. After passing the examination, a Senior Certificate is awarded to the pupils.
Higher Education and Training, also called as Tertiary Education includes education for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and doctoral degrees.
In South Africa, there are 3 types of public higher education institutions-
Technikons and Universities of Technology: These Universities provide programmes in applied fields- such as business, health sciences, design, performing arts, engineering, technology, and many more.
Comprehensive Universities: These Universities are formed from the amalgamation of technikons and Universities of Technology with traditional universities, and provide courses in the fields of traditional arts and science along with those provided by technikons or universities of technology.
Traditional Universities: Traditional higher education has been into existence in South Africa since 1829 when the South African College of Cape Town was established to train pupils for matriculation examinations. These Universities provide a broad range of degree programmes at both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.
Following are the Higher Education Qualifications in South Africa-
Bachelor’s Degree: This degree generally lasts for 3 years, but for a few of the professional disciplines, such as engineering, law, architecture, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, music and fine arts, it lasts for 4-6 years.
Bachelor’s Honors Degree: This degree takes one additional year of study beyond the general 3-year bachelor’s degree.
Master’s degree: This degree programme lasts for 1-2 years of full-time study.
Doctorate Degree: This degree requires at least 2 years of study beyond the master’s degree.
According to the Higher Education Act of 1997, the private higher education institutions can provide degree programmes, provided they are registered with the South African Council on Higher Education (CHE) and accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC). In South Africa, there are 4 types of private higher education institutions- foreign institutions, private technical and vocational institution, colleges offering tuition-based distance learning courses, lifelong learning centers established by private companies to train their workforce.
In order to study abroad in South Africa, international students must obtain a South African study visa before doing so. To get a visa for South Africa, students must contact the South African High Commission, Consulate, or Embassy in their country of residence. Upon entry into South Africa, this visa is endorsed to serve as a temporary residence permit.
The process of obtaining a study visa for South Africa usually takes about 6 weeks. International students cannot be registered in their university until they have a valid study visa.
Requirements for a study visa are the following:
provide proof of guardianship or custody or consent from the guardian.
Once the study visa has been issued, international students in South Africa may only study at the institute to which they’ve applied. Changing schools requires changing the study visa, a process which can be done within South Africa. Students with study visas may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during their studies and full-time during study holidays.
Different requirements apply for a part-time study visa, which may be obtained through an endorsement for students who already have a Business or Work visa in South Africa. International students can contact their closest South African High Commission, Consulate, or Embassy for more details.