South Africa: Nelson Mandela University

Nelson Mandela University is located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. With a total of seven campuses, the university is the largest international university in the Southern Cape with their main campus, where most UNI students take classes at, is in the heart if a nature reserve.

Offering beautiful orange sunsets and tranquil sandy-white beaches, the Eastern Cape is where people with friendly smiles greet you with a "good morning", "goeie more"’ or "molo"... By studying at NMU, you are able to experience quality and affordable education as well as the amazing wildlife, history and the culture of South Africa.

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: July- November

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Fall 2025 applications are open. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting to learn more about the program.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the Spring of 2026 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Learn More about NMU

Location

NMU is located in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth is a coastal city on the south-eastern coast of South Africa and is along the shores of Algoa Bay, which has 40 kilometers of magnificent coastline and sandy beaches great for water sports and swimming, making it known as the Water Sport Capital of Africa. It has strong links with industrial and automotive sectors and has a wide variety of interesting architectural and historical sites, enchanting beaches, excellent sporting facilities and an upbeat cultural life.

There are opportunities for up-close encounters with sea animals that are located close to the Bay. Throughout the year, visitors have the opportunity to see the Southern Right Whale (Humpback Whale). Port Elizabeth is also very close to Addo Elephant Park, Daniel’s Cheetah Farm and other game reserves. The city's central location in the Eastern Cape makes it very easy to travel west towards Cape Town or east towards Durban.

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Academics

Established in 2005, Nelson Mandela University currently has more than 20,000 students and is one of the few comprehensive universities in South Africa. The university already has a strong track record in both fundamental and applied research, working extensively in partnerships with business and industry professionals.

NMU is the most culturally, linguistically and academically diverse university in South Africa. It prides itself on being at the forefront of the political and educational transformation of higher education in South Africa and is also the largest university campus in the southern hemisphere.

Courses: NMU offers a comprehensive list of courses (modules) to choose from that align well for UNI students. Most modules are available to Study Abroad and Exchange students, however, each department/faculty has its own requirements for certain programs and modules. All courses are taught in English though students are able to take Xhosa or Afrikaans as well during their semester at NMU.

Information on courses and when they are offered can be found here. You will need to know the subject or name of a course to use this browser. Otherwise, you can see what is offered in specific subjects first and then use the browser to determine if it is available during a specific term. You can view courses by subject area here. Meet with Study Abroad Staff for assistance with navigating courses.

Community Service Learning: The International Office offers a unique and popular 2 US credit module called Community Service Learning (CSL 100). This CSL module allows students from abroad with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop their global citizenship through volunteer work. They will experience firsthand the current issues impacting disadvantaged community life in South Africa while giving back to the community. There is an additional cost for the course, which pays for transportation to and from the volunteer site(s).

Teaching Methods and Styles: In South Africa, most undergraduate courses consist of lectures, classes, workshops, and tutorials. Students will also have 'unstructured' time providing them with the opportunity for individualized reading and research. Grades are often weighed heavily on exams and other assessments.

Academic Calendar: The university operates on a semester system. Semester 1 (Spring semester) running from February to June and Semester 2 (Fall semester) running from July to December. When thinking about semester dates, it is important to note that on the other side of the hemisphere, their Spring semester is our Fall and vice versa. When searching for courses, please remember that NMU's Semester 1 is UNI's Spring semester and NMU's Semester 2 is UNI's Fall semester.

Credits and Grades: NMU is a great place to study abroad and receive a sufficient amount credits. Students need to take 40-60 NMU credits per semester and 100-120 NMU credits per academic year (fall and spring). Grades are also calculated differently. Credit conversions, and grading equivalencies can be found below:

4 NMU credits = 1 US credit.

Credits Grades
4 = 1 75 -- 100 = A
6 = 1.5 70 -- 74 = B+
7 = 1.8 65 -- 69 = B
8 = 2 60 -- 64 = B-
10 = 2.5 57 -- 59 = C+
12 = 3 54 -- 56 = C
15 = 3.8 51 -- 53 = C-
16 = 4 Less than 51 = no transfer credit

Take a view of campus at the video below:

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to South Africa, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From the application process to financial assistance to preparing for your journey abroad, Stephanie will be with you every step of the way providing guidance and reassurance.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Immigration Information:

Information on the visa process for South Africa can be found at www.southafrica-usa.net/homeaffairs/jurisdiction.htm. 

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to South Africa

Housing & Meals

International students who choose to study at NMU will live in off-campus, apartment-style accommodation with other international students. Students will have their own rooms and share a restroom and kitchen with one other student. The most common options that UNI students opt for is an "Explorer - Two Bed" accommodation. This is what is used for the cost estimate, but there are more options shown on CampusKey Webpage.

This accommodation is self-catered and is located extremely close to a grocery store and restaurants. The accommodation also offers an exercise facility and a common area game room. The university has multiple levels of security to ensure student safety.

CampusKey is located 100 meters from the beach, 2km from the main campus, and is centrally located to all other amenities and boasts a diverse mix of students from every corner of the world.

Further details on CampusKey can be found on the student living page.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $11,337*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$11,337
Estimated U-bill Charges	$6,312
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$5,026

Spring 2024 Estimated Budget Sheet (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study Abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.