South African tuition for foreign students

By the way, while I was on campus at UZulu, my promoter let me know that the South African taxpayers had covered 80% of my tuition. I knew that there was a government subsidy to cover foreign students, but I did not really know the amount. As I have noted here before, tuition and fees TOTALED about $900 US for the full first year. From here on I need only pay the annual registration fee of about $150 USD. In my case I only had to appear on campus once ($1500 airfare) so the program is dirt cheap. (Work is helping me out too, so it is costing me very little out of pocket).

South Africa is encouraging foreign students to study there, perhaps (my guess) due to a brain drain - hoping some students will chose to stay there and contribute to the economy. I can't see me moving there but you never know.

Since there is always a lot of discussion of low cost programs, I thought I would share this. I can't imagine that this 'deal' will last forever. Apparently it was originally conceived as a break for other African nation's students but then applied to all foreign students.

Another point of interest: he also mentioned that theology had been downgraded...apparently it had been a department of its own. I know several doctoral students in theology had commented on studying through UZulu or were considering it. So you might want to see what the story is there.

 

Thanks for the info. Matt. I have always wondered why someone like Dr. Bear or Tom Nixon have not written a book on SA schools. I think Americans would snap these books up. SA schools have always interested me. I hope your studies are going well.

Abner

 

Hi Steve - yeah I was just guessing on that one; I met a SAfrican living in the US right after I got back and that was her take on it (the brain drain thing; she is a physical therapist so there you go...).

Good point - I can only speak for Zululand and only guessing on what their government might do in the future. I did pick up that their government is a bit, well, flakey right now (see "Dr. Beetroot" as an example).

In comparison to some of the UK or Aussie programs that might cost someone tens of thousands to complete, my program is a real bargain.

 

Will you be required to go back to SA to defend your thesis?

- Tom

 

Thanks Abner. It does sound like a good idea. In my case, this is not really a 'distance learning' program and UZulu doesn't as far as I know promote DL. So below the PhD level something like what I am doing is going to be less available; I was able to do it because (a) I have an MS in the field and (b) did not need any additional class room work.

UNISA of course is the big DL provider at all levels out of SA and there are endless threads here on them.

But for doctoral level work it is worth looking at all the other universities over there that have one's field offered.