Exchange with Rhodes University in South Africa
Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa is a perfect place for students interested in living in a very different culture and studying any number of disciplines in English. The university is located in Grahamstown, about 550 miles from Cape Town, on the eastern cape of South Africa. Rhodes University was named after Cecil Rhodes. One of the university’s distinctive features is its tutorial system, modeled closely on those of Cambridge and Oxford universities. Students are assigned tutors and tutorial groups within academic departments. Student enrollment is about 4,500. Accommodation is provided in one of the residence halls. Students may study at Grahamstown for either the spring semester or for an academic year. You may find additional information on the Rhodes University website.
Learn more about Rhodes University in this PDF.
How to Obtain Your Student Visa in South Africa
A student visa is a document issued by a country granting an individual permission to enter a country with the express purpose of completing studies there at a recognized institution.
Who needs a visa?
If you are an international student intending to study in South Africa, you must first apply for and be granted a study permit. A South African educational institution cannot register an international student until a valid study permit has been produced.
How to get a visa:
Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a formal offer from a South African educational institution, you should collect a study permit application form from your nearest South African office abroad and complete and return the form to the same office. In general, your application should be accompanied by:
- A valid passport
- A letter formally offering you a place of study at the relevant institution
- Proof that you are financially able to pay our tuition fees and have adequate means of support
- A medical certificate and proof of medical insurance coverage usable in South Africa
- A repatriation guarantee. Unless a South African sponsoring body, citizen, or permanent resident provides a written undertaking as specified in the application form, you will be required to lodge a cash deposit or bank guarantee equivalent to the costs of transportation to your home country in case you fail to comply with your permit conditions. However, if your course is not longer than a year, or you will be attending a religious institution, you will be exempt from this requirement and need only possess a valid return/onward ticket.
- A written undertaking that you will return to your country of residence/origin after completing your studies
- The relevant permit fee – see the relevant Home Affairs web page
Permit application forms online
Access/download all the relevant application forms online
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
It normally takes about six weeks for a study permit to be processed. You are advised, however, to submit your application as early as possible.
When should I renew my study permit?
Study permits are granted for periods of a year at a time only, and for specific fields of study. You should therefore renew your permit annually at your nearest Home Affairs office in South Africa. You should also, depending on what your original visa stipulates, apply for a new permit if you plan to change your course of study or your institution.
Access/download your permit extension/alteration application form online: Select the appropriate form here.
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