Affordable fees and a strong reputation for higher education are among the main draws for international students choosing to study in South Africa, but discrimination and difficulty finding affordable accommodation are significant obstacles, the first major survey of international students in the country has revealed.
A group of 11 education agents from BELTA, the Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association, has just returned from a familiarisation trip of South Africa that will likely boost bookings from Brazilians keen to learn English and study in the country, say organisers.
The British Council has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to work with the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) to improve the country's English as a First Additional Language (EFAL) programming and delivery. The signing of the DOI follows last week’s Education World Forum.
The prestigious Nelson Mandela Rhodes Scholarship programme looks set to expand its support for postgraduate study in South Africa after a successful fundraising campaign. Trustees have instructed the leadership to look into the possibility of doubling its scholarships after raising R106 million (US $10.8 million).
The English language travel industry in South Africa saw growth in both student numbers and weeks from 2011 to 2012 and providers are bullish about 2013 after a solid first half of the year according to the national association of English language centres, EduSA. Improved numbers are driven by renewal in interest from traditional European markets and a boom from neighbouring African countries.
The South African government has proposed an internationalisation strategy to strengthen economic and political relations with other countries, saying that although internationalisation exists at individual institutions it remains uncoordinated at the national level. It has plans for boosting exchange within Africa and building links globally.
