Student Life in South Africa
Student life is essentially great in South Africa, with student communities that are active and very present across the country. Life as a student has its ups and downs and generally has a different meaning to different students equally.
Classroom activities and lecture hours begin as early as 8:00 AM for many undergraduate programs, Masters and Ph.D. students typically hold classes a little later in the day.
Academic lectures are dependent on the programs and grading in universities in SA is a bit different than many other countries. Students have the option to prolong their studies by an extra year and graduate with a combined professional degree or graduate with their bachelor’s at the end of their third year.
Exchange programs and Erasmus are huge in South Africa, thanks to the many international affiliations that universities in the country develop. University students can travel to different countries to learn and gain cultural experience in many new locations.
Students also can enjoy the warmth and beauty of South African weather, food, culture, language, and people. The country has so many layers to explore and we encourage that you take advantage of this gift.
RocApply’s Advice to students planning to come to study in South Africa, so that they can have the best experience in the country;
- Be available and willing to participate: Universities organize many activities, functions events, socials with other universities and committees all year long. We recommend that you participate in any of these activities as they are a great way to connect and make new friends. Find out what communities or associations that you prefer or that are along the lines of your interests and get involved, there are several opportunities to tap into.
- Attend your classes: Attendance in class is taken very seriously across many institutions in SA, so keep up with your lectures and try and pay apt attention in class, although a minor point, this is still very important. Channel your energy and opt for courses that highlight your strong knowledge or challenge yourself with uncharted areas, just be consistently pushing yourself and you’ll definitely see the results.
- Take advantage of your university’s resources: There are many resources at higher institutions in the country that many students essentially benefit from. These resources are made available unequivocally and available. They include academic resources, tutors, lecturers, course advisors/conveners that offer mentorship to first-years, there are also workshops, seminars, conferences and many more, all available at the student’s disposal. Libraries, both physical and digital are present in all universities in the country.
- Try and find a balance: You can do well in school, have a social life, have a ‘side hustle’ or monetize a skill that you're good at, as long as you compartmentalize and find a balance.
- Look out for student deals and discounts: There are many student discounts on transport, food, and clothing in South Africa. Saving some money as a student is actually very good in the long run as there's more to spare forward. There are places that offer services and items to students at discount prices or even for free.
