The international officer at the NUS has written an open letter in protest at the cuts announced this week in a letter to the union's membership.

The Department of Home Affairs has agreed to relax rules around visa extensions for thousands of final year international students potentially affected by widespread protests on university campuses.

Student demonstrations against tuition fee hikes have escalated into violent clashes and could lead to year-long campus closures. A government spokesperson has admitted it could deter foreign students.

South Africa’s rand has plummeted in value since December but students are more eager than ever to study at universities overseas as unrest disrupts campus life at institutions across the country.