Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½

International Students Office (ISO)

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Incoming Study Abroad

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½

Join a vibrant, research-intensive university located in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa.

As an inbound exchange student at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, you will:

  • Study at one of Africa’s leading universities
  • Experience diverse cultures and perspectives
  • Engage in innovative teaching and research
  • Become part of a dynamic international student community

We work closely with our global partner institutions to ensure a smooth academic and cultural transition.

Am I eligible?

To study at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ for one or two semesters as part of your home institution's degree, you must be currently registered in an accredited institution outside South Africa. At the time of coming to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, you must have completed at least one year of university study.

If Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ has a valid student exchange agreement with your home institution, you can study at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ as an exchange student. Based on reciprocity, you will be liable for tuition fees at your home institution, and your tuition fees at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ will be waived. You will need to be nominated by your home institution. View the list of with other institutions.

If your home institution does not have a student exchange agreement with Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, you are considered an occasional student. You will be liable for the study abroad semester fee, which is a flat fee. 

What can I study?

Most courses at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ are open to study abroad students. You can choose up to a maximum of four courses per semester from the general academic offering, with the exception of courses in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Depending on your previous studies, you should generally select courses that are in line with your current year of study, ie, if you are a second-year student at your home university, look for second-year courses at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½.

Click on the Credit Conversion Guidelines Document.

For information about specific courses, please see our course finder entries and contact the relevant School.

How do I apply?
  1. Identify the courses most suitable to the programme at your home institution.
  2.  and complete it.
  3.  for more information.
  4. If you are an exchange student, contact your International Office regarding nomination and submission of application documents. If you are an occasional student, send your application form and all supporting documents to the International Students Office (ISO). 
  5. Once received, the ISO will check your application documents.
  6. Complete applications will be forwarded to the relevant Faculty/School for processing.
  7. Should your application be successful, a formal offer letter will be issued.
  8. If you are an exchange student, the offer letter, together with a letter of support from the ISO, will be sent to your home institution. If you are an occasional student, the offer letter, together with a letter of support from the ISO, will be sent directly to you.

Application Deadlines

  • 30 September for studies beginning in the first semester (February – June) of the following year.
  • 30 March for studies beginning in the second semester (July – November) of the same year.
What does it cost?

Study Abroad Fee

The Study Abroad Fee includes tuition costs and international registration fees (IRF)

Exchange Student:

Your tuition and international registration fees will be waived, based on reciprocity.

Occasional Student (Fee Paying):

The study abroad fee, which includes tuition and IRF, amounts to ZAR 54 820 per semester.

Please note:

The study abroad fee is subject to change on an annual basis. The international registration fee is non-refundable.

What one of our inbound students had to say about their time at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½
Kayla Callaghan - Carleton University

I spent one semester at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University on exchange through my home institution Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Having the chance to study in South Africa for a semester was an amazing opportunity. I learned a lot about South African history and art in my classes which were new and exciting topics for me. I also had the chance to go on several excursions with my art classes to different areas of Johannesburg.

During the semester, I joined a couple clubs on campus like the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Explorers, who go on camping and hiking trips throughout the year, took yoga classes and climbed at the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Mountain Club's rock cave. It was great getting involved in different groups on campus and meeting a lot of people from Johannesburg. I found getting involved in different clubs integral to making my semester abroad my own. 

I also spent some time travelling with some other international students. Over the study break, I visited Victoria Falls with 4 other exchange students. Travelling by bus and train for two and a half days made the falls that much more magical when we finally arrived. In June, I travelled to the beautiful Mozambique with another exchange student and relaxed on the beach to celebrate the end of exams. 

If you have been accepted: practical next steps

Before you arrive at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½, there are a few essential compliance steps to take care of. ISO is here to guide you through all of these.

Apply for your Study Visa: You must hold a valid South African study visa before you can register at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½. Apply at your nearest South African High Commission, Consulate or Mission as soon as you receive your offer letter - processing times vary by country, so don't leave this until the last minute.

Arrange South African Medical Aid: All international students are required to have South African medical aid, valid through 31 December of the academic year. ISO can advise you on suitable options.

International Clearance to Register: Before you can register for your courses, you must obtain International Clearance from ISO. Exchange students follow the Exchange Clearance requirements - bring your passport, visa, and medical aid certificate when you come in.

Contact Masego Bosilong, our Study Abroad Programme Administrator, on email exchange.international@wits.ac.za 

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