Are you an international student wanting to study further in South Africa?

Since 1994 South Africa has seen a surge in the numbers if international students wanting to study in the country.  There are sound reasons for this:

1. South Africa has some of the better universities in Africa, and indeed the world.  The University of Cape Town is one of the outstanding institutions worldwide, ranked 103 internationally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.  This is no mean feat, considering the substantial number of universities around the globe (there are over 2 500 universities and colleges in the United States alone!).
2. South African universities often have bilateral ageements with other institutions, making student exchanges possible, which in turn promotes an accommodation of international students.
3. South African campuses are often diverse, with many nationalities and cultures engaging with each other.  Often international societies are formed on campus, making students feel even more at home.
4. Studying in South Africa is much cheaper than destinations in the northern hemisphere, and the cost of living is affordable.
5. Universities in South Africa offer a range of disciplines, particularly in the Humanities, which are not found in comparable quality elsewhere.  So, African Studies and African dance, for example, are very popular choices.  This does not mean that programmes in the Science and Technology, or Commerce area are not popular.  One area that is nearly off limits to international applicants may be the health sciences sector.  This limitation is related to the scarce skills locally, and the drive at South African universities is to produce more doctors and other health care practitioners to meet the needs of the country.

If you a considering furthering your studies in South Africa, you are well advised to plan your move appropriately.

Essentially, international applicants fall into three categories:

• Those from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.  These are the most represented group among non-South Africans studying in SA.  Indeed, the SADC protocol concerning higher education enrolment provide for a minimum number of SADC students to be enrolled for full degree study in the country.
• African applicants from the rest of the continent.  There are significantly fewer students from East, West and North Africa, mainly because these are not English-speaking countries.  Having said that, the number of Nigerian students in South Africa is on the increase. 
• Students from other parts of the world.  The numbers are growing steadily.  Students come from all around the globe, although, again, English speaking countries, or those with English as a second language, are the more popular. 
• In addition to full degree studies, students from the United States, in particular, are coming to South Africa in substantial numbers to do just one or two semesters

So, what do you need to know as an international applicant?

Firstly, you need to qualify for matriculation endorsement in order to be eligible to be admitted to full degree undergraduate studies in South Africa.  Higher Education South Africa (HESA) governs this process through its Matriculation Board.  

If you qualify for admission, you then need to ensure that the institution gets as much information about your academic history as possible  These may include the equivalent of grade 11 final results (e.g. IGCSE scores), and predicted final scores from your school.

Assuming everything goes well, and you are admitted, you will need to obtain a study permit from a South African consulate or embassy.  Even if you are finishing your secondary school in South Africa, you still need to obtain you’re a fresh permit for tertiary studies.  For this application, you need to be offered a place, and you need your letter of offer from the host institution.

Unfortunately, there is little or no funding available for international students for undergraduate study, although funding opportunities exist for graduate students.  Ensure that you do your research early, and apply in good time. 

Remember, the South African university calendar starts in February, and extend until October/November.  Therefore, this may be out of sync with your own calendar, particularly if you are from a northern hemisphere country.  For advice, contact the international office of the institution to which you are applying – most major universities have well-established offices to assist international students.

If you are headed to South Africa for your studies, enjoy your experience.  Institutions have a great deal to offer.

@carlwherman

Private Higher Education Institutions - consider your move

When we think tertiary institutions, it is not uncommon to think in terms of large, well-established and well-known public institutions.  After all, they have been proudly mentioned in social circles throughout our childhood, and the media loves making comments about public institutions os higher learning.

Admission to higher education is becoming increasingly competitive, and it is prudent to consider a range of options for a place of study.  If you are considering a private higher education institution, you may be just be making the right move.

Private institutions are typically smaller, and provide for more contact between students and academic staff.  Their curricula can also respond to environmental trends, and remain relevant.  At the right institution, doing the appropriate qualification, you can soar.

However, you must be on the lookout for two key indicators. 

Firstly, you must ensure that the institution itself is recognised.  This word, unfortunately, is used too loosely, but I use it here since it is the best one for this context.  In South Africa, a recognised institution is one that is one that is on the Department of Higher Education & Training’s “Register of Private Higher Education Institutions”.  The department is quite efficient about keeping a current copy available on their website, and a link to the register is available on www.dhet.gov.za.  Be sure to check on this status – in January 2013 the Seshego Commercial and Computer College was shut down by the police because it was a scam - this after twelve years of operating!

Secondly, you must ensure, ahead of time, that the qualification for which you intend to register is  legitimate.  Fortunately, the same register provides information on all accredited programmes which these institutions are permitted to offer.

On occasion, a private provider may enter into a partnership with a public provider, and jointly provide a qualification.  So, for example, the University of the Free State and varsity College jointly offer an undergraduate LLB in South Africa.  This is in order, and again, information about the 

legitimacy of these qualifications is freely accessible.

The major downside of private providers is price.  Often, private institutions simply cost more.  Parents often find that they have to pay significantly more tuition fees than at a typical public institution.  Another disadvantage is that campuses are often small, and do not provide that ‘campus’ experience.  There are no, or very small residence facilities to speak of, and therefore no residence life either.

Be that as it may, private institutions provide for a very different kind of enrichment, and is one to be taken seriously.  So, before you ask “AFDA Who?”, do some research on the register – you may just find something you like!

@carlwherman

So You Want To Study After School (Part 2)

How does a school-leaver make the correct choices about studying further?  Is there even such a thing?  Can an 18-year-old school-leaver even be expected to make such a decision? Well, yes and no.

The American undergraduate degree is, in a sense, most appropriate for school-leavers.  It is a broad curriculum, requiring little specialisation, and therefore does not lock in young students.  Instead, it allows for four years of academic exploration, in a sense, resulting in more mature choices, and a qualification, in preparation for a postgraduate specialisation.  This sound preparation provides for informed choices at graduate level.

In South Africa, however, we have many undergraduate vocational degree programmes.  Young adults have to decide at early ages whether or not they wish to study programmes such as chemical engineering, medicine, social work or law, to name a few.  The irony is that these programmes rank high in the preferences of teachers, parents, and society at large, and many promising young learners are encouraged to put their academic prowess to good use by becoming a professional.  However, because of relatively rigid curricula, early enthusiasm often give way to a stark realism, when students realise what it is they are studying.  They are unable to exercise options and flexibility, and may opt to leave their course of study, but with limited credits for course already completed.

We also, though, have formative programmes, such as the BA, BSc and BSocSc degrees.  These do not lead to professional qualifications, but are intended to be broad foundations, much like the US model.  They are best followed by a further qualification such as an Honours degree, or a postgraduate diploma.  Formative study programmes are seldom the preferred route for learners, as the path to employment is not always visible.

Formative degrees have a different role to vocational/professional degrees, and it is important to have the correct expectations from these study programmes.  For years at UCT's annual Open Day, the Faculty of Humanities proudly hosted prospective students with a panel discussion which included the Director of the Graduate School of Business, a graduate of the faculty.  Their message was simple, yet powerful: a BA could lead to a prominent position in the business world.

So, how do you make the right choices?

A correct choice has to have three ingredients: ability, interest and suitability.

Firstly, you must be able to pull it off before attempting it!  If you are achieving 54% for physical science at school, why are you considering an engineering degree?  I you do not like reading more than a few pages at a time, what are you doing applying to study law, which involved endless intense reading?  Clues like this an assist you in making your selection.

Secondly, if you are planning on studying a programme, try to ensure that it grabs your interest.  Failure to do so will result in underperformance academically.  Simply think of your school report.  A glance at your school will probably be enough to suggest which subject does, and which does not, grab your interest!  It will show in your performance, of course.  Why should higher education be any different?

Lastly, do not think of doing something if you do not possess the personal attributes to study that discipline, or in that particular mode.  For example, don't bother with medicine if you are squeamish. Similarly, if you do not like the outdoors, forget about marine biology.  Be sharp, and select wisely.

Once these three boxes have been ticked, ensure that you do not first select your institution and then go on to study what you are allowed to do there.  This is exactly the opposite way of going about selecting your study programme.

Start with you!  Identify your preferences, see where they are offered, and make your applications.


Good luck!

@carlwherman

So You Want To Study After School (Part 1)

A good idea!  All research shows that school-leavers who have gone on to study, are more likely to find employment, and are likely to earn more money once employed.  If finding a job and earning more money are among your objectives, you're on the right track.

In South Africa, Apartheid has left a legacy in the education system which we will not outlive.  It will affect you and your descendants.  So, you would probably be better off preparing for that reality.  

The legacy which I mention above means that in 2013 we have 23 public universities and universities of technology, offering a range of higher certificates, diplomas and degrees.  There are also foreign universities operating in the country, and a range of private education institutions, which I will mention a bit more in a future post.  The 23 institutions include traditional universities, offering mainly degree programmes, and former technikons, offering national diplomas, and going on to degree qualifications at Bachelor and postgraduate level.  In addition, there are comprehensive universities, such as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, which offer the complete spectrum of qualifications.

So, with so many options, what are the problems?  Two spring to mind immediately, and I believe that school-leavers and their parents should be aware of them, and plan for them.

1. The legacy factor

Researchers speak of historically advantaged, and historically disadvantaged public institutions.  Whatever you may call them, the values associated with these institutions are deeply rooted in the South African public psyche.  There are, of course, good reasons for this.  Rural disadvantaged institutions were established to educate black South Africans.  The many areas of their relative disadvantage included  smaller budgets, remote locations, and less qualified academic staff.  In addition, they had few international connections and little collaboration, virtually no diversity in their student population, and could only charge modest fees.  As a result of this and many other factors, they are generally considered less attractive than their urban counterparts.

In 2013, therefore, institutions such as the University of Limpopo still attract predominantly poor black students.  This, in itself, is not a problem.  In other words, the fact that mainly poor students apply for admission to these institutions may result in benefits such as more affordable study options closer to home, but it's the converse effect that proves to be the problem: urban school-leavers will hardly consider having a poor, rural institutions with little international reputation as their alma mater.  This creates a domino effect of other problems, such as the one below.

2. Capacity limits

Urban, historically advantaged institutions in South Africa cannot accommodate all school-leavers who would like to attend them, and graduate from them.  In addition, this capacity issue is exacerbated by the fact that academically stronger applicants gravitate to just a handful of institutions.  Therefore, in order to have bums on seats, outlying institutions have to accept 'walk-ins', and settle for far lower admission criteria.  In January 2013, The New Age, a South African newspaper, reported that urban institutions received anything from 6 to 10 applicants per place.  However,the Central University of Technology in the centre of the country reported only 1 application for every 2 places.  This trend persists year in and year out.  The effect: more and more constrained capacity, and higher and higher achievers not getting into the programmes of their choice (watch out for this issue in a future post!).

There are many other challenges to entering higher education, and I'll deal with them in time to come.  For now, thanks or reading, and follow me if you wish: @carlwherman

2013 Awaits: a message for new grade 12s in SA

So, what do we know for sure about your grade 12 year?

1. It will be full of exciting stuff: awards ceremonies, senior class status, matric balls, etc.
2. You will experience anxiety unlike before: the stakes are high, and there are no second chances.
3. In one way this is the culmination of your academic work for many years; in another sense, this is just the beginning.
4. Every day that passes, is a day closer to your final examinations.  You cannot make up time.

Remember, the many comments in the media about the value of your NSC Certificate, the prospects of work, etc. will be negative.  The media thrives on negativity, and the is lots of negativity and cynicism to be found when we read comments on schools.  This stuff has been rehashed for years and years...there is nothing special about your year!

However, there is a BIG difference between opportunities being presented to you, and you finding, and creating, opportunities.  What do I mean?

A study offer at an institution of learning is an opportunity which you can pursue, if you are one the lucky ones.  However, most school-leavers will not get such an offer, and will need to think about what other avenues may exist.  These are too numerous to mention, but include 'non-traditional' options such as learnerships, entrepreneurship, and so on.

Soul what do I suggest you do to deal with this important year?

A good start would be to take long hard look at the calendar.  Do you know when your final examinations are scheduled?  Put together a personal calendar, or plan, for your final year, and stick to it!

Think long and hard about the many, many, hours you may have been putting into non-academic activities, whatever they may be: sport, socializing, etc.  You may want to adjust this downwards for a few months.

Start to gather information on areas of activity that interest you.  This may take some time, so be prepared to put together a portfolio, even if it virtual, in the form of a long list of bookmarks.  Once you feel day, submit your applications for study as early as possible, so that your application-related paperwork can be submitted by mid year.

Breathe! You will inevitably feel pressured, and anxious during this year!  If and when you feel out of control, speak to someone you trust.  A poor mental position will result in poor academic performance.

Have a good year.

Follow me on twitter: @carlwherman