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Top international universities also require applicants to submit a personal statement that details their interests , passions , experiences and even habits .
Universities in the UK , Europe and other regions require students to cover their academic activities and their achievements within their chosen field of study . At local universities , application essays and personal statements are not typically required , but they are a critical component for international applicants .
What ’ s the difference in the average annual cost of universities in South Africa vs . overseas ones ?
RP : South African fees range from about R50,000 to R90,000 per year .
The US universities have the highest fees , with many institutions – not just the top private institutions – costing from R1,000,000 to R1,200,000 per year , including tuition and boarding / housing . In general , private institutions are more expensive than state ones , with some popular state universities ’ s fees being as low as R600,000 , but also as high as R900,000 .
The UK is ‘ cheaper ’, with fees around R500,000 plus , going up to more than R800,000 for tuition only at top universities . You could expect to pay R250,000 per year in addition to tuition fees for living expenses .
A common mistake that South Africans with UK passports make is thinking that having this passport means that they will pay local UK fees of under R200,000 . To access local fees in the UK , students need to have three years of residency in the UK , not just a British passport .
How easy is it to get funding ?
RP : Another key difference is cost and funding . While opportunities for bursaries , scholarships and grants are more accessible at local universities , funding for overseas study is limited . In general , South Africans will need to self-fund study abroad . While there are some financial aid opportunities , as well as scholarship awards for outstanding academic students , this isn ’ t guaranteed and may not cover full tuition and boarding costs – except in rare cases .
International students will be eligible for financial aid in many US private colleges , while most public and state universities won ’ t offer financial aid for international students . They may have merit-based scholarships for international students , and this is often automatically considered when a student applies to the college . Those interested can find out more at https :// cssprofile . collegeboard . org /
Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries for international students studying in the UK are less common , but there are some options . The UCAS website gives guidance on :
• What scholarships , grants and bursaries are available for EU and international students
• Open day questions for EU and international student scholarships
• Tips to get an EU and international student scholarship , grant or bursary . For more information , visit https :// www . ucas . com /
finance / scholarships-grants-and-bursaries / scholarships-grantsand-bursaries-eu-and-international-students .
Finally , is there a difference between application deadlines ?
RP : In addition to the extra time needed for preparing essays and extracurricular profiles , academic terms in the northern hemisphere start in September , while southern hemisphere universities kick off in February .
Students heading north need to keep a close eye on application deadlines – particularly for early application – to be considered for an offer to study . Applying early can have an impact on admission chances .
Students also need to factor in student visas , which can be applied for once an offer has come in . Some universities in the EU offer a pre-admissions process , allowing prospective students to apply for entry visas beforehand .
Universities abroad are substantially more expensive than local ones . For students with European passports , parts of Europe may be a more affordable option as students can access local fees at select universities .
Angelique Ruzicka
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