Arcadia University: Study at the University of Stellenbosch

  South Africa

Stellenbosch

Term: Fall, Spring 

Description: With 22,000 students from more than 200 different countries, the University of Stellenbosch is recognized as going further toward achieving its goal of internationalization than any other university in South Africa. The city of Stellenbosch is located in the lovely winelands of the Western Cape and is just 45 minutes from the center of Cape Town. At any given moment, the red tile walkways of the Stellenbosch campus are alive with students from Africa, Europe, China, and the Americas. If you are looking for a truly international study abroad experience in South Africa, Stellenbosch is the place for you. You will experience a level of integration with the faculty and students that you will not find at any other university in the Western Cape. Here you will live, study, and explore with students from all over South Africa and across the world.

At Stellenbosch, study-abroad students can integrate into the campus community quite successfully, but also have the benefit of courses selected and taught exclusively for visiting international students. For the student looking for a curriculum that focuses on the history, politics, languages, and culture of Southern Africa - this is an ideal program. All Stellenbosch faculties are open visiting students based on language access and course scheduling and a full course load consists of 4-5 courses per semester. Faculties include Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Economics and Management, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Science, Theology, and Arts.

Credits and Grades
Stellenbosch courses are offered on an annual basis or per semester. Each semester is 14 weeks in length. Credits are structured along the European ECTS system and an undergraduate must earn 120 credits per year or 60 per semester. This translates in 12-18 credits for study abroad students who take 4 or 5 courses per semester. Grades are based on percentage scored. Assessment is based on continuous evaluation including assignment, oral presentations, mid-term exams, practical work and final exam.

Highlights: In order to meet the needs of the local community, in and around Stellenbosch, and the desired goals for community engagement that many visiting students seek, Stellenbosch has developed a unique Certificate Program in Community Engagement.

Another unique feature of life at Stellenbosch is the very active International Students Club on campus. This organization was founded and is run by full time degree seeking Stellenbosch students, some of whom are South African and others who are international. They throw a welcome party at the beginning of each academic year, organize outings such as camping weekends and wine tasting, and also support a very well developed volunteer service program for international students. In addition to your coursework at Stellenbosch, all students are required to participate in the core seminar, "Contemporary Issues in South Africa," which is intended to provide a forum for reflection and analysis on current issues and challenges facing South Africans.

There is an array of languages spoken on campus, some you will recognize and many you will not. Besides English, Dutch, Mandarin, and French - you will also hear Xhosa, Ndebele, and of course Afrikaans. Afrikaans, one of the two designated European-based languages in South Africa (English is the other), is the official language of instruction for the Stellenbosch University. Don't let the Afrikaans worry you though, as there are courses available in English for all students of the university. The library collection and on-line resources all use English, and the International Office at Stellenbosch has put together a whole range of exciting courses in English that are tailored to the interests of the study-abroad student.

Cost in US$: Please visit website

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.