South Africa is a growing study destination for international students. Besides the great academic programs, and various countries and low living costs, South Africa offers an interesting combination of high standard of education and being exposed to different cultures. With all of the modern campuses along with the wide variety of courses that is available, South Africa is a fantastic choice when compared to other more popular studies destinations.

Why Choose South Africa?

For a number of reasons South Africa is the right place to study:

• Quality Education: Many universities are very high in rank here too (in Africa).
• Economical: Tuition fees and living costs are low compared to western countries (more affordable for Pakistani families).
• Cultural diversity: There's a lot of cultural diversity in the country, so the students get to see different cultures.
• English classes: Most courses are all taught in English so you’ll never have to worry about a language.
• Beautiful places and lifestyle of South Africa is full of really nice places to go, great cities and great life. There isn't just studying to do in South Africa.

Top South African Universities for Pakistani Students

Elite Universities in South Africa are home to international students from countries like Pakistani’s:

• University of Cape Town (UCT): The best university in Africa... as famed for its research success and beautiful campus.
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University): This university is in Johannesburg that offers engineering, science and humanities programs.
• Stellenbosch University: It has a solid reputation in academics, particularly in business and agriculture.
• University of Pretoria: Best choice for wide range of programmes and the plus point of this institution is emphasis on research.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN):  Great College for health sciences, law and technology.

Cost of Studying in South Africa

Thinking about studying in South Africa? Good choice! It's usually cheaper than studying in the UK, USA, Australia, or other places. Here’s what you can expect for costs:

Tuition Fees

• For undergraduate programs, tuition can range from ZAR 35,000 to ZAR 70,000 each year, which is roughly PKR 420,000 to PKR 840,000.
• For postgraduate programs, expect to pay between ZAR 40,000 and ZAR 100,000 per year, around PKR 480,000 to PKR 1,200,000.

Living Costs

• Monthly living expenses, including rent, food, and transportation, can run you around ZAR 5,000 to ZAR 9,000, or about PKR 60,000 to PKR 110,000.

Keep in mind that these costs can change based on where you live, your lifestyle, and the university you choose.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are a few scholarships open for Pakistani and other international students looking to study in South Africa:

• South African Government Scholarships: These are provided through agreements between Pakistan and South Africa.  
• University-Specific Scholarships: Lots of universities give out merit-based scholarships or financial help to international students.
• Commonwealth Scholarships: These are for postgraduate studies at certain South African universities.
• Third-Party Scholarships: Groups like the Islamic Development Bank and other NGOs also offer scholarships for students from developing countries.