University of Pretoria International Students Guide 2014

University of Pretoria

International Students Division
Newcomers guide
2014


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1. outh Africa
S
South Africa is five times the size of the United Kingdom and about as large as the Netherlands,
Belgium, Italy, France and former West Germany combined. It stretches from the Limpopo River in the
north to blustery Cape Agulhas, nearly 2 000 km (1 240 miles) to the south, from Namaqualand along
the barren western seaboard 1 500 km (932 miles) to subtropical KwaZulu-Natal and the humid Indian
Ocean coast – encompassing a total land area of 1.3 million km2 (500 000 square miles).
It is a land with remarkable diversity: variety and contrast are vividly evident in the bewildering mix of
race, language, creed, colour and culture. The diversity is there, too, in the nature of the land; in its
geological formations and regional climates; its mountains, plains and coasts; its rich farmlands; its
bushveld, scrub and arid deserts. Each of the many different parts supports its own distinctive plant
and animal life.

Currency
The South African currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R (R1.00 = 100 cents). There is no
restriction on the amount of foreign currency you may bring into the country, but it must be declared
at Customs & Excise when you arrive.

For more information on South Africa
www.southafrica.info
www.southafrica.net

www.lonelyplanet.com
www.southafrica-travel.net

Public Holidays
1 January:
21 March:
18 April:
21 April:
27 April:
1 May:

New Year’s Day
Human Rights Day
Good Friday
Family Day
Freedom Day
Workers’ Day

17 June:
9 August:
24 September:
16 December:
25 December:
26 December:

Youth Day
National Women’s Day
Heritage Day
Day of Reconciliation
Christmas Day
Day of Goodwill

2. he University of Pretoria
T
Vision
The vision of the University of Pretoria is to be a leading research-intensive university in Africa, recognised
internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, and also for developing people, creating
knowledge and making a difference locally and globally.
UP is one of the largest and most diverse contact universities in Southern Africa with a total of 61 500
students in 2012. As over 220 000 alumni can attest, the University of Pretoria is a place to set a
firm foundation for career success. The different university campuses are well equipped, modern yet
steeped in history.

The University of Pretoria has seven academic campuses
• The Hatfield Campus houses the majority of the faculties and student services.
• The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) houses academic programmes, as well as a wide

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International students

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range of executive courses that can be custom designed to suit specific company needs. It is
located in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The Groenkloof Campus houses the Faculty of Education.
The LC de Villiers Sports Grounds houses TuksSport and the high performance centre (hpc).
The Mamelodi Campus hosts the BSc (four-year programme), the BCom (four-year programme),
the post-school mathematics and science programmes, as well as a variety of community
engagement programmes.
The Onderstepoort Campus houses the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
The Prinshof Campus houses the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Hatfield Campus has more than 60 historical buildings that are spread over 24 hectares. It is one
of the most picturesque campuses in South Africa, located close to a commercial district offering
both business and recreational services – including banks, bookshops, pharmacies, sports facilities,
supermarkets, clothing stores, restaurants and coffee shops.
GPS coordinates to campuses
Hatfield:
S25º 45’ 21”E28º 13’ 51”
LC de Villiers:
S25º 45’ 10”E28º 14’ 46”
Groenkloof:
S25º 46’ 10”E28º 12’ 34”
Onderstepoort:
S28º 10’ 54”E25º 38’ 52”
Mamelodi:
S25º 43’ 22”E28º 23’ 56”
Prinshof:
S25º 43’ 57”E28º 12’10”
GIBS:
S26º 07’ 46”E28º 02’ 46”

(1,2 km from Hatfield Campus)
(3,5 km from Hatfield Campus)
(22 km from Hatfield Campus)

UP Academic offerings and programmes
The University has nine faculties, including the Veterinary Sciency Faculty on the Onderstepoort Campus,
the only one of its kind in South Africa that is responsible for ground-breaking research and clinical
work. The University also has a business school, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). The
University of Pretoria offers 1 234 programmes, which lead to 230 different qualifications. Furthermore,
the University has established institutes, centres and units to enhance the research output. It offers
academic service learning programmes that benefit students, staff and a number of communities.
In 2012 a total of 13614 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded at UP including 5388
,
postgraduate degrees (honours, master’s, doctoral).
GIBS was ranked best business school in Africa and one of the best globally by the prestigious UK
Financial Times in 2012. It is still the only African business school to be placed in the top 50 business
schools worldwide for executive education programmes. This is the eighth year running that GIBS has
achieved this accolade.

Faculties
• Economic and Management Sciences
• Education
• Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Law
• Natural and Agricultural Sciences
• Theology
• Veterinary Science (the only faculty of its kind in South Africa)


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Closing dates for full degree students
Non-South African citizens
Faculty

Selection
programmes

Other study
programmes

Economic and Management Sciences

31 August

Education

31 August

Engineering, Built Environment and Information
Technology

30 June

31 August

Health Sciences

31 May

30 November

Humanities

30 June

31 August

Law

31 August

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

31 August

Theology
Veterinary Science

31 August
31 May

Contact information
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 3111
Email:
csc@up.ac.za
Website: www.up.ac.za
Parents’ page: www.up.ac.za/parents
Location
Cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street
Hatfield 0083
South Africa

Postal address
Private Bag X20
Hatfield 0028
South Africa

Accommodation for full degree seeking students
Please visit the website: http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=20

Institutional Research Themes
The University of Pretoria recently initiated a process designed to identify the unique research strengths
of this institution and to support the development of strong multidisciplinary research groups clustered
around the identified strengths.
This process of clustering has two tiers
• Institutional research themes (IRTs), which are major initiatives involving a set of participating
faculties
• Faculty research themes (FRTs), which involve participation on a more limited scale by a lesser
number of faculties.
Both the IRTs and the FRTs are designed to recognise and foster excellence in research and to be led
by acknowledged international leaders in their specific disciplines.
It is anticipated that these themes will add to the University’s research reputation as they develop,
and at the same time will engender a climate that promotes scholarship among academic staff
and postdoctoral fellows, and will also produce more doctorates.

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The Institutional Research Theme (IRT) “Animal and Zoonotic Diseases” (AZD) was
established at the University of Pretoria to build and expand on our current strength
and research capacity in animal diseases in order to establish this focus area as
an internationally highly regarded centre of excellence based on its standing
and leading role in South Africa and the African continent. The focus on animal
diseases includes diseases that spread from animals to humans (zoonoses) and
involves research carried out in the Faculties of Veterinary Science, Natural and Agricultural Sciences
and Health Sciences.
As the only University in South Africa with a Faculty of Veterinary Science, the University of Pretoria is
uniquely placed to provide research capacity across the whole of the animal disease research chain
from disease identification to diagnostics and the development of new tools for disease prevention
and epidemiological control. This capacity is strengthened and supported by a strong focus on basic
research, vaccine development and diagnostic other tools required for epidemiological control
and surveillance. It is further supported by specialized expertise and infrastructure spread across
three faculties with the Faculty of Health Sciences housing the only Biosafety Level 3 laboratory at the
university that can investigate some of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases.
The AZD-IRT involves principal investigators that direct more than 15 different research programmes
with a focus on a range of animal and zoonotic diseases such as rabies, African horse sickness,
Theileria and a range of bacterial as well as tick-transmitted diseases. The research covers aspects
related to epidemiology, pathogen characterization, diagnostics, ecology and the development of
recombinant vaccines and therapeutic agents. The AZD-IRT is currently directed by Prof Henk Huismans
and the AZD-IRT provides bridging financial support for new research projects, post graduate bursaries
and post doctoral fellows. It also supports infrastructure development and bridging financial supports
for the appointment of research fellows and other appointments within its research domain.
Contact information
Prof Henk Huismans
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 3812
Email: henk.huismans@up.ac.za
The modern Genomics Revolution offers a very real opportunity to the University
of Pretoria. With its strategic investments in structures, hardware, software and
people, the University can become the leading centre of genomics research
in Africa. The core technology that links all genomics, and the heart of the
revolution, is DNA sequencing. In 2004, after a decade of work by thousands
of researchers around the world, and at a cost of tens of millions of dollars, the
complete sequence of the 3 billion base pair human genome was completed.
With the new sequencing technology, available to us for less than 5 years, we can sequence the
human genome over a weekend and at a cost of not much more than $10,000. Within a few years,
the technology is likely to be ten times faster and a tenth of the cost.
The challenge to genomic scientists is to take advantage of the enormous power and scope of
this new technology. It is no small challenge, because it involves changes in mindset, learning new
skills, embracing new approaches, defining new questions and much more. One of the new skills is
Bioinformatics, the computational manipulation of DNA sequence data. This is a vital resource for
genomics, and filling the growing need for bioinformatics support and training is one of the many
challenges of genomics.


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The Institutional Research Themes (IRTs) in Genomics, established in late 2011, is just one of the
Universities responses to these challenges. Earlier this year, the IRT in Genomics was formally approved
as a University research Institute.
The Genomics Research Institute (GRI) spans the three Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences,
Veterinary Sciences and Health Sciences. Its principal aim is to bring together staff and projects from
across these Faculties in order to develop new, cutting-edge inter-disciplinary research projects. To
support this objective, the GRI has a research budget for 2013 and 2014 and can support project
costs, equipment purchases and some bursaries.
Reflecting the breadth of research interests across the University, we divide the research activities of the
GRI into 3 major sectors:
Environmental Genomics
Human and Health Genomics
Plant and Animal Genomics
At present the GRI comprises 53 academic staff and nearly 120 associated researches at MSc, PhD
and postdoctoral levels. This team includes some of the leading researchers in the University, but with
a good number of developing researchers. Researchers interested in becoming part of the GRI are
very welcome to contact the Director.
Contact information
Prof Don Cowan
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 5873
Email: don.cowan@up.ac.za
The Institutional Research Theme (IRT) Food, Nutrition and Well-being seeks to
address the emerging societal challenges related to food insecurity, nutrition
deficiencies and hunger, especially in Africa. It is hosted by the Institute of
Food, Nutrition and Well-being to bring together all the University’s postgraduate
teaching and research expertise and activities in this field to consolidate and
coordinate food security related research across the University.
The vision of this Institute is to be the leading international Centre of Excellence in the area of
transdisciplinary research and postgraduate training aimed at finding innovative and comprehensive
ways of addressing current constraints to attaining the Millennium Development Goals with regard to
food, nutrition and well-being in sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2020. Our mission is to strategically
position UP as an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence with a critical mass of researchers
to promote the long-term health and wellness of people, support sound policy making with regard to
food, nutrition and well-being and, together with strategic national, regional and international partners,
significantly scale up capacity in this area through the development of leading professionals and
researchers.
This Institutional Research Theme (IRT) brings together over 100 academic staff in over 30 academic
disciplines, providing one of the largest pools of expertise globally. Given the diversity of disciplines
represented (such as Veterinary Science, which is not widely offered in Africa) and the depth,
experience and international recognition of many of UP’s staff, the IRT brings considerable visibility
to the University’s contribution to African and global research and opportunities for expanded and
strengthened networks, partnerships and community engagement. The investment in postgraduate
training makes significant contribution to scaling up research capacity in this area and will direct future
research.

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The key research themes/programmes to be investigated as part of the IRT are:
Theme A: Sustainable animal-and plant-based food production in a resource constrained environment
Theme B: Food safety, biosecurity, public health and regulatory control
Theme C: Functional biomolecules and functional foods
Theme D: Facilitating behaviour change for health and well-being
Theme E: The food security and nutrition impacts of policies and programmes
Cross-cutting theme: Nutrition
Contact information
Prof Sheryl Hendriks
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 3811
e-mail: sheryl.hendriks@up.ac.za
The Institutional Research Theme (IRT) “Energy” strives to provide the best balance
between the University’s current research activities and the energy focus areas
that are prioritised by Government, with an initial focus on electrical energy. This
will set the University on the road towards national relevancy as it will be searching
for solutions to South Africa’s energy problems.
Sub-themes
• Energy production, with specific emphasis on clean coal, nuclear and renewable energy
technologies such as solar and wind.
• Energy distribution, where the IRP2010 is relatively silent. Two notable aspects are addressed,
namely so-called Smart Grids and Energy Storage. Both these areas are growing in importance, as
the contribution of renewables with their inherent random availability, will impact on the national
grid stability.
• Energy optimisation, an area where the university is particularly well placed in that it hosts
the National Hub on Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management. Specific areas being
researched include thermal and process optimization and energy efficiency.
• Advanced materials. In many instances new energy technologies call for unique material
attributes, notably in high temperature applications. The university is particularly well positioned for
such research thanks to direct spin-offs from research the university did for the defunct pebble bed
modular reactor project.
• Policy, economics and society. With an ever-increasing complexity of energy technologies, it has
become mandatory to ensure that chosen energy sources not only fulfill their required energy
production goals, but also do so in a sustainable and economic manner.
• Environment. No argument for sustainable energy can be made without a serious focus on
environmental impacts of chosen energy sources. The university is quite active in this field and has
made some unique contributions in, for example, the minimisation and management of nuclear
waste.
All of the selected research areas also enjoy international interest. By achieving research excellence in
these areas the University would enhance the international recognition it enjoys in the field of energy
research.
An important benefit of the proposed Energy IRT is its multidisciplinary nature. This is in stark contrast with
traditional university research models that tend to be focused on a single discipline. Apart from the
obvious benefit, which is that it will enhance the value of the University’s research, it will also allow the
Energy IRT to become relevant to the wider industrial energy sector from the outset. Contact with the
energy sector and the multidisciplinary nature of the research projects within the realm of the Energy
IRT will facilitate efforts to obtain funding from outside sources.

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Contact information
Prof Tinus Pretorius
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 4606
Email: tinus.pretorius@up.ac.za

3. Client Service Centre (CSC)
The Client Service Centre (CSC) is a one-stop service for all the University’s clients (including current
and prospective students, international students, parents and alumni) that assists with student-related
enquiries and services. These services can be accessed via walk-in visits, web, email, fax, telephone
and post.
Services provided by the CSC include:
• undergraduate student recruitment
• general enquiries (voice, walk-in, email)
• residence placement
• applications for study
• payments and student accounts
• study financing
• access cards and parking
• graduate career placement of students
• international student enquiries
• course consultation

4. The International Students Division (ISD)
All non-South African citizens must report to the International Students Division (ISD) in the CSC on the
Hatfield Campus prior to registration. The CSC is open from 5 January 2015. Non-South African citizens
need to submit proof of legal status in South Africa, as well as proof of adequate medical aid cover at
the ISD in the CSC before they will be able to register.
Contact information
Tel:
+27 (0)12 420 3111
Email: csc@up.ac.za
Website: www.up.ac.za/ISD
Location: CSC, Hatfield Campus
The ISD is responsible for the pre-care, in-care and post-care of all non-RSA citizens. For enquiries, send
an email to: isd@up.ac.za
Category
Non-South African citizens
seeking a full degree:
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate

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Responsibility
Pre-care/in-care/post-care

Special notes
For all immigration-related
enquiries contact
isd@up.ac.za

Category

Responsibility

Exchange students:
• Incoming
• Outgoing
• Study abroad students
• Elective students

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•
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•
•

Application
Admission
Unblocking
Registration
Orientation
Accommodation

Postdoctoral fellows

•
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•
•
•

Application
Admission
Unblocking
Registration
Accommodation

Special notes

For enquiries contact
isd@up.ac.za

International Students Division team
Dr Karen
Lazenby

Mr Wallace
Isaacs

Ms Wiida
le Roux

Director, Client
Service Centre

Deputy Director,
Client Service
Centre

Manager,
International
Students Division

Ms Mahlogonolo
Mphahlele

Ms Goitsemang
Mathekga

Ms Misiwe
Moloi

International
Specialist
Consultant

International
Specialist
Consultant

International
Specialist
Consultant

Mr Itumeleng
Njoro

Ms Jenny
Lambinon

Mrs Onalerona
Matlawe

International
Specialist
Consultant

International
Specialist
Consultant
Immigration
control

International
Specialist
Consultant

Supporting documents
Please note that students must have photocopies ready before reporting to the ISD in the CSC. Copies
can be made at the Xerox Copy Centre in the Student Centre on the Hatfield Campus. All non-South
African citizens need to show their original documents and submit two photocopies of the documents
listed below:
•
a completed and signed International Students Information form;
•
a valid passport or an ID (in the case of students with permanent residence in South Africa);
•
a valid study permit endorsed for study at the University of Pretoria, or one of the following:
–
an asylum seekers permit
–
a certificate of refugee status and
–
a diplomatic passport (not a diplomatic card)
• proof of medical cover (medical cover must be paid a year in advance, January to
December).
The above-mentioned documents must be submitted to an international consultant and the
information must be captured before a student can register.


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5. Temporary residence permits
Every non-South African citizen is required to hold a valid passport and a temporary residence permit,
such as a study permit, endorsed for study at the University of Pretoria. Non-South African citizens wishing
to enter South Africa should only apply for study permits once an official letter of admission has been
received.
Temporary Residence Visas must be obtained before travelling to South Africa.
Study permit
First applications for study permits will no longer be accepted within the borders of South Africa. NonSouth African students are required to apply for a study permit at the South African High Commission,
embassy, consulate or trade mission in their country of residence or the nearest available South African
High Commission, embassy, consulate or trade mission.
The following documents should be submitted to the South African embassy or consulate in order to
obtain a study permit:
• a passport valid for not less than 30 days after the intended study period;
• payment of an administrative fee (as required at the time by the Department of Home Affairs of
South Africa);
• confirmation of South African medical cover valid for the duration of one academic year (January
to December) and proof of payment of membership fee to a medical aid scheme registered with
the Council for Medical Schemes in South Africa;
• an admission letter from the University stating the following

– the duration of the study programme

– confirmation that the admitted student is not taking the place of a local student and

– undertaking to inform the Department of Home Affairs if the student deregisters;
• a medical report (less than six months old) by a registered medical practitioner;
• a radiological report (less than six months old);
• proof of the availability of funds to cover tuition fees and self maintenance for the duration of
studies in South Africa;
• a police clearance certificate for the past six months or longer if the applicant is older than
18 years of age; and
• details regarding arranged accommodation while in South Africa.
Other documents that may be required
• a yellow fever vaccination certificate
• a certificate or other documentary proof of marital status (eg married, widowed, divorced or
separated)
Cash deposit
A cash deposit equal to a return ticket to the country of origin (repatriation guarantee) may be required.
Change of institution (study permit holders)
The University may only register a student for academic studies once the prospective applicant has
produced a valid study permit. It usually takes at least six weeks for an application to be processed. It is
also important to note that a study permit is issued to study at one institution; a student would therefore
have to apply for a change of conditions should they wish to change institutions. This can be done in
South Africa in the municipal area applicable to the new institution of study.

10 International students

Before applying for this permit, a student must obtain a release letter from the current institution, stating
that this institution has no objections to the transfer.
Change of conditions (study permit holders)
A change to the conditions of a study permit refers to a situation where a student holds a valid study
permit with a condition to study at another institution in South Africa (other than the one the student is
applying to). This is usually the case with learners and students studying at South African high schools,
colleges and other academic institutions.
Their permits would therefore need to be endorsed with a condition to study at the institutions mentioned
above. In order to register at the University of Pretoria, the permit will need to be endorsed for the
applicant to study at the University of Pretoria. An application for a change to the conditions of a study
permit constitutes a new application for a study permit. Although the applicant will need to complete
a separate form, the requirements are the same as those for the initial application for a study permit.
Please note the following
• The forms pertaining to study permit holders above are available on the internet: www.dha.gov.za.
• They can also be collected at any South African visa issuing authority (Home Affairs offices,
consulates or embassies).
• This information is meant to serve as a guide only. Requirements for studying in South Africa are
subject to change and each application is treated as an individual case. Always make enquiries
before travelling to South Africa.
• The holder of a study permit for studies at a higher education institution may conduct part-time work.
• The holder of a study permit for studies at a higher education institution may conduct part-time
work. However, the valid working period for undergraduate students may not exceed 20 hours per
week. For postgraduate students the period may not exceed 20 hours per week.

Registration procedures
Please carefully follow the steps set out below when you arrive on campus to register. You need to
report to the International Students Division (ISD) in the Client Service Centre (CSC) FIRST for clearance
before continuing to register.
We identify our non-RSA students according to the following categories:
• Holder of a Study Permit;
• Relatives Permit with an endorsement to study;
• Visitors Permit;
• Diplomatic Permit;
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers Permits;
• Work/Business Permit with an endorsement to study part-time at the University of Pretoria.
Please note: If you do not follow the steps below in the correct order, you may experience some
difficulties in registering.

Step 1
When reporting to the International Students Division (ISD), please ensure that you bring the following
documents:
Study permit holder
• Valid passport
• 2 x copies of Passport (Page with photo and page with passport number)

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•
•
•
•

2 x copies of Study Permit (endorsed for studies at the University of Pretoria)
1 x completed International Students Information Forms
1 x Medical Indemnity
1 x Proof of South African medical cover as stated below

Two copies of a valid asylum seeker permit, refugee permit (or document), diplomatic passport (card
not acceptable) or a work permit endorsed for part-time studies at the University of Pretoria.
Permanent Residents of South Africa
Copy of South African Identity Document

Step 2
Medical Aid cover at the University of Pretoria
An applicant for study permit is required to provide proof of medical aid cover with a medical scheme
registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, Act 131 of 1998, recognised in the Republic.
All non-South African citizens, including students who are citizens from SADC countries, need to comply
with the visa regulation as determined by the Immigration Act, Act 19 of 2004. Regulation 10(1) (i)
determines the following:
Although you may, with some other international insurance or medical product, secure a study permit
from a South African visa issuing authority, the University of Pretoria, in accordance with the Immigration
Act, does not recognise such medical cover for registration purposes.
The South African Consular Office where students apply for temporary permits (study permit or a visitor’s
visa) may accept international medical insurance submitted by the student when applying for a study
permit. However, the University of Pretoria requires international students to join Momentum Health
(Ingwe option). International insurance is not accepted.
Month-to-month medical aid cover will only be acceptable from dependents on submission of the
confirmation letter from the main member’s medical aid service provider.
The University requires that the medical aid cover be valid for the full academic year that you seek
registration until 31 December.
Study Abroad and Exchange Students must secure medical cover for the duration of their stay. A
minimum of six (6) months cover is provided by medical companies. This provision is for Study Abroad
and Exchange students only.
Should students rely on sponsorships, they should ensure that the sponsor is advised of the requirement
at the onset of the sponsorship of the admission offer from the University. UP does not accept
sponsorship letters in lieu of payment. Payment of the required medical aid cover fee is made directly
to the medical service provider, prior to clearance for registration.
The medical service providers stated below are medical aid companies with developed studentfocused products that are registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act. These companies offer the
minimum benefits that a student may need while in South Africa. Both are accepted by UP
.


Momentum Health offers weekly consultation sessions on the Hatfield campus, International Students
Division (ISD) offices, Client Service Centre (CSC). Students can join both schemes online.
Contact information
Momentum Health (Ingwe option)

BestMed Medical Scheme
(Pulse1 student option)

Tel:
+27 (0)12 673 1800
Email:
studenthealth@momentum.co.za
Website: www.ingwehealth.co.za

Tel:
+27 (0)86 000 2378
Email: service@bestmed.co.za
Website: www.bestmed.co.za

Premium for 2014: ZAR 4 186,00
Payable in advance January - December
Should any non-South African student on a study permit, fail to comply with the medical cover
stipulations set out above, they will not be permitted to register.

Step 3
Special Orientation Programme for International Students (Newcomers)
The Client Service Centre (CSC), International Students Division (ISD) offers a special orientation
programme for international students. All newcomers are obliged to attend this programme and
attending this programme is compulsory for all exchange, elective and study abroad students as well.
Details are communicated to students in the admission letter.
Please note that the Welcoming Day and Programme for Registration and start of the academic
year mostly caters for first-year and undergraduate students. The idea behind our special orientation
programme is to facilitate the integration of new international students into the UP community, as well
as informing them about the support services available on campus.
This orientation programme is in no way meant to replace the information provided at the Programme
for Registration and Start of the Academic Year and Welcoming day, but to add value to it by adding
information applicable only to international students.

Step 4
Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications (Undergraduates)
Higher Education South Africa (HESA)
A full or foreign conditional exemption certificate is a prerequisite and applicable to non-RSA students
and to students who do not have a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) qualification or
independent Examination (EB) qualification and who want to register for undergraduate studies at the
University of Pretoria. This certificate can only be obtained from HESA.
Contact information
Matriculation Board and Exemption Certificates
Tel:
+27 (0)10 591 4401/2
Fax:
+27 (0)12 481 2922/2718
Email: exemptions@hesa-enrol.ac.za
Website: www.hesa.org.za


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Location
UNISA Sunnyside Campus
Building 3, Level 1, Cnr. Rissik & Mears Street
Sunnyside, Pretoria

Postal Address
PO Box 27392
Sunnyside 0132

Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications – (Postgraduates)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
Postgraduate applicants must have all previous post-school qualifications evaluated by SAQA when
applying for postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria.
Contact information
Call centre: +27 (0)12 431 5000/70
Helpdesk: +27 (0) 86 010 3188
Fax:
+27(0)12 431 5039
Website: www.saqa.org.za
Location
SAQA House
(formerly known as Hatfield Forum West)
1067 Arcadia Street
Hatfield, Pretoria

Postal Address
Postnet Suite 248
Private Bag X06
Waterkloof, 0145

6. Study abroad, exchange and elective
students

Closing dates
Every year the closing date for applications for the first semester (January to June) is 30 September of
the year preceding a student’s studies at UP For the second semester (July to December) the closing
.
date is 31 March in the current year for exchange and study abroad programmes.
Application, academic year and examinations
The application form is sent to the student via mail or email, and should be returned to the International
Specialist Consultant at UP responsible for the region of the student’s home institution. The academic
year commences in January every year. Lectures commence in February. Examinations are always
in June and rewrites for examinations are before the beginning of the second semester. Students
are allowed to register for only one semester (six months), unless special arrangements are made
between the home and host institution.
Application procedures
Study abroad students (Students outside the auspices of an Agreement) – Full fee paying students
Duly completed and signed application form must be included.
• A copy of the student’s passport (page with passport number and photo) must be included.
• Study Abroad students must apply for Study Permits.
• Official academic transcripts and results.
• A letter from the student’s home institution:


•

–
–
–
–
No

stating that the candidate has permission to spend a semester (six months) at UP;
confirming that the student is currently registered at the home institution;
confirming the student has been selected to be a study abroad student at UP; and
including a brief explanation of proposed modules/courses to be taken at UP
.
application fee is required.

Please note: Students must take care to enrol for semester modules only and not register for year
modules/courses.
Exchange Students (Students inside the auspices of an Agreement) – Non-fee paying students
Duly completed and signed application form must be included.
• Exchange students must apply for Study Permits.
• Official academic transcripts and results need to be attached.

– stating that the candidate has permission to spend a semester at UP;

– confirming that the student is currently registered at the home institution;

– confirming the student has been selected to be an exchange student at UP; and

– including a brief explanation of proposed modules/courses to be taken at UP
.
• No application fee is required.
Elective students (Students visiting UP for short periods) – Must pay Elective Administration Levy
• Elective students normally apply for Visitor’s Visas.
• Official academic transcripts and results need to be attached.
–
stating that the candidate has permission to spend an elective period (no more than three
months) at UP; If an elective student spends more than 90 days at UP a Study Permit must
,
be obtained.
–
confirming that the student is currently registered at the home institution;
–
confirming the student has been selected to be an elective student at UP; and
– including a brief explanation of proposed programme to be followed.
• No application fee is required.
Selection of modules/courses: Exchange/Study abroad students
Please visit the UP website www.up.ac.za and consult the yearbooks for modules/courses offered.
Website: www.up.ac.za (click on New Students then Yearbooks and then Faculty).
Students must submit a list of modules/courses that they wish to take during their exchange
programme/study abroad semester (compulsory and optional modules/courses). If students
experience difficulties in this regard they may contact the ISD office via email, which will refer the
student to the relevant academic(s) for advice and/or academic alternatives. It is important that
the student first determine the availability of a course before travelling to South Africa to avoid
disappointment and other consequences. Furthermore, please note that some modules/courses
may not be chosen, as these may be selection modules/courses or year modules/courses (both
under- and postgraduate modules/courses). Students are welcome to apply for studies in all faculties,
except the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Students who are required to rewrite examinations are advised to postpone their departure dates.
UP will not allow rewrites outside South Africa. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the
relevant faculty upon arrival to find out when examinations for registered modules/courses will be
held.

15

Please note: Students must ensure that modules/courses registered for are semester modules/courses
and not year modules/courses.
Accommodation
The ISD is responsible for arranging accommodation for exchange, study abroad and elective
students. However, accommodation is subject to availability and is allocated on a first-come firstserve basis.

7. ostdoctoral fellows
P
The ISD is responsible for the in-care of postdoctoral fellows appointed by the Department of Research
and Innovation Support (DRIS) at the University of Pretoria. The ISD has certain responsibilities after
notification by the Department of Research and Innovation Support that a postdoctoral fellow has
been appointed.

Responsibilities of the international specialist consultant
Administration process
The international specialist consultant communicates directly with the postdoctoral fellow to confirm
the following:
• postal address
• date of arrival
• pick-up at the airport
After confirmation of the above-mentioned details:
• An appointment letter is sent to the postdoctoral fellow.
• A UP postdoctoral application form is completed.
• An acceptance form is completed.
• A letter to the embassy for visa application purposes (in the case of non-South Africa citizens) is
written.
Visa application
A postdoctoral fellow who is a non-South African citizen must:
• Apply for a visitor’s visa with endorsement to conduct postdoctoral research at the University of
Pretoria in his/her home country.
• Book a flight ticket – either through the international specialist consultant (in conjunction with the
campus travel agency) or by their own arrangements.
Air travel
In the event that an international specialist consultant organises the air ticket:
• The travel agent issues the air ticket to the postdoctoral fellow at his/her nearest airport for collection.
• The ISD consultant follows due processes to ensure payment of the air ticket to the relevant travel
agent.
• Once the payment is confirmed to the travel agent, the agent issues the air ticket and notifies the
postdoctoral fellow of the collection details.
In the event that the post doctoral fellow prefers to arrange his/her own air ticket:
• The postdoctoral fellow will pay for the ticket and claim the money back from UP upon arrival.
• Air ticket funds will be credited to the postdoctoral fellow’s account, after proof that the ticket has
been used and the relevant claim form is completed and submitted to the ISD consultant.


The ISD consultant is also responsible for assisting postdoctoral fellows with:
• accommodation arrangements
• attending conferences
• grant renewals

8. ees: International students
F
Information regarding fees payable is published in various brochures that are available at the CSC, as
well as on the University’s website at www.up.ac.za/feesfunding.
Please note the following:
• No student will be able to register for an academic year unless all outstanding fees have been
paid.
• Should a student have been awarded a non-UP bursary, a document confirming the bursary must
be submitted at the CSC.
• If students’ accounts are in arrears, they will not receive their examination results or an academic
record. Furthermore, these students will not qualify for placement in a UP residence for the next
academic year. Interest will be charged on overdue accounts.
UP banking details
ABSA BANK
Branch: Hatfield
Branch code: 632005
Account number: 214 000 0054
SWIFT code: ABSAZAJJ

STANDARD BANK
Branch: Hatfield
Branch code: 011545
Account number: 012 602 604
SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ

International levy
• The international levy for 2014 is R2 500.
• This international levy is payable annually by all non-South African citizens as well as students who
are citizens of SADC countries. (See SADC country list below). This amount is payable in addition to
the registration fee.
• Asylum seekers, refugees, diplomats and their dependents stationed in South Africa are exempted
from paying the international levy.
Tuition fees
• Non-South African citizens (excluding students who are citizens of SADC countries), will be charged
double the tuition fee for South African students.
• Students who are citizens of SADC countries will pay the same tuition fee as charged for South
African citizens.
• Asylum seekers, refugees and diplomats stationed in South Africa, as well as permanent residents
of South Africa only, are exempted from paying double tuition fees and are exempted from the
international levy.
SADC countries:
Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe


17

International undergraduate students tuition fee factors
Student type
(Used for fee calculation)
Elective
Exchange
Study abroad
Asylum seeker
Diplomat

Refugee
On Study permit - SADC
On Study permit - Non-SADC
On Permanent residency status
in South Africa

International
Fee factor
levy
None
R1600
None
No tuition fees charged, but accommodation
charged
Yes
SADC citizens - Local fees
Non - SADC citizens - Double local fees
None
Local fees
None
Local fees. Dependents of diplomats pay local
fees only if the dependents have diplomatic
permits in their own passports.
None
Local fee
Yes
Local fee
Yes
Double local fee
None
Local fee

9. anguage policy and medium of
L
instruction

In conducting its business, the University uses two official languages, namely English and Afrikaans. In
formal education, the medium of instruction is either English or Afrikaans, or both of these languages;
provided that there is a demand and that it is academically and economically justifiable. However,
it remains the student’s responsibility to ascertain on an annual basis in which language a module
and any further level of that module is presented. In respect of administrative and other services, a
student has the right to choose whether the University should communicate with him or her in English
or Afrikaans.

10. Partnerships
The University of Pretoria has many partnerships. Some of the institutions are listed below:
Germany
Clausthal University of Technology
Humboldt University
Konstanz University
Netherlands
Erasmus University
Groningen University
HAN University of Applied Scieces
Radboud University Nijmegen
Technische University Eindhoven
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
University van Utrecht
Vrije University Amsterdam


London School of Economics and Political Science
Scandinavia
Jönköping International Business School (JIBS)
Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
University of Karlstadt
Australasia
Queensland University of Technology
Asia
Singapore Management University (SMU)
National University of Singapore (NUS)
United States of America
American University, Washington DC
Columbia University
University of Delaware
Fordham University, The Bronx, New York
Loras College, Dubuque
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

11.

International Students Day

International Students Day is an annual event for international students. It normally takes place during
the most beautiful month in South Africa, October.
Please come prepared with your traditional attire and take part in this very special International Students
Day. Big prizes are to be won and you can either exhibit, partake in the Mr or Miss UP International
pageant or sing and dance with your own cultural group.


19

Produced by the Client Service Centre
in December 2013
Comments and queries can be directed to
the Client Service Centre

Contact information
Tel:
Email:
Website:
Parents’ page:

+27 (0)12 420 3111
csc@up.ac.za
www.up.ac.za
www.up.ac.za/parents

Location
cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street
Hatfield 0083
South Africa
Postal address
Private bag X20
Hatfield 0028
South Africa

Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations, policies, tuition fees, curricula and programmes of the University of
Pretoria applicable at the time of printing. Amendments to or updating of the information in this publication may be effected from time
to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained in this publication is therefore not
guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness
of the published information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against
the University by any party whatsoever.


University of Pretoria International Students Guide 2014

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