South Africa: Stellenbosch (USAC)
Through UNI's partnership with USAC (University of Study Abroad Consortium), students are able to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. With a majority of courses taught in English, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and plenty of activities for students to get involved in (including clubs, organizations, sports, and volunteering opportunities) Stellenbosch University provides students with a fantastic study abroad experience!
Not only will UNI students be advised through the process by the UNI Study Abroad Center, but they will also receive help and support from USAC staff as well. They will also have the option to connect with up to 15-20 other students from around the US before the start of the semester who will also be participating in this program.
Dates & Deadlines
Term: Spring 2026
App Deadline: October 1st, 2025
Program Dates: January - June
Spring 2026 applications are now open. Students can click the link below to schedule a meeting to go over important details about this program and begin the application process.
Interested in studying abroad in the Summer 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. 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!
Location
Stellenbosch is located in South Africa's Western Cape Province, and is the second oldest town in the entire country. It's close proximity to Cape Town provides students additional opportunities to explore and be immersed into the South African culture. Being so close to Cape Town also makes it easier to utilize public transportation to see and explore the rest of the country as well. Stellenbosch itself is a major destination for art, culture, dining, outdoor recreation, and wine connoisseurs.
Stellenbosch University (SU) is located in the beautiful Boland Mountains. The university is eager to welcome students from all walks of life to their campus, and is committed to increase sustainability and the quality of life for all its citizens. SU is considered to be leading the way in education in South Africa.
- Academics
At Stellenbosch University (SU), a variety of courses and programs are offered to study abroad students. Students will enroll in 4-5 classes in a semester for a total 12-15 US credits. A majority of the classes are taught in English, but there are a few that may be lectured bilingually in English and Afrikaans. All study materials will be available in English though, and live translation services are available for these courses.
SU has 2 different types of courses: Mainstream and Global Education Programs (GEP). Mainstream are regular courses students take to complete graduation requirements for their field of study, and are taught along side degree-seeking students at Stellenbosch. GEP courses are additional classes the university provides just for study abroad students. You may either enroll in all mainstream courses, or a combination of both. However, students are only allowed to take 2 GEP courses while at Stellenbosch.
Along with this, USAC also requires all of its participants to take one course designed to familiarize students with South Africa's unique history, culture, and political climate. This course could be either a mainstream course, or GEP.
Between Mainstream and GEP courses, SU offers a variety of courses in a wide range of topics for students to choose from, some of which are listed below:
- Language (Afrikaans, Chinese, French, German, or Spanish)
- Arts
- Social Sciences
- Economics
- Management
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Theology
- Participant Info
Meet your Advisor:
Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Finland, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.
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:
Students going to South Africa for more than 90 days will need to apply for a visa.
Your study abroad advisor and USAC will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the last updates related to their destination country.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to South Africa
- Housing & Meals
Study abroad students are guaranteed on-campus apartments during the semester. Apartment buildings will have a private bedroom with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities. Additional amenities include 24/7 security, internet access, on-site shops, barbeque areas, and a variety of sport/exercise equipment.
- Summer School
USAC also offers a unique 5 week summer school program to Stellenbosch during June-July as well. Students can enroll into either the General Elective Program (GEP), or into a Specialized Academic Track. No matter which option students elect, all are required to take the 'Introduction of South Africa's Political History' course designed to familiarize students to South Africa's unique history and culture and political climate. In total, students will take 2-3 courses over the summer term, earning 6-9 US credits.
GEP course offerings
Students will choose 1 course from each of the following groups in addition to the required culture class:
Block 1:
- Bio-Diversity: Plants for the People in the Western Cape
- Social Justice in the Global Classroom
- Violent Histories and Repair
- Visual Narratives and South-North Interactions
Block 2:
- China in Africa
- Transitional Justice
- Travel Photography
- Understanding HIV in South Africa
Specialized Tracks
Students can choose one of the following options, and will take this course along with the mandatory cultural class:
Global Service Learning (GSL): This is an experiential learning, writing-intensive community engagement program that includes both theoretical and practical work
Doing Business in Southern Africa: This is a class that will allow students to investigate the unique institutional and policy conditions in Southern African countries to better understand the challenges that will confront future businesses and impact economic growth.
Public Health: This is a class that focuses on public health within South African context, using a thematic approach that allows students to learn about multiple key topics. Students will also supplement their coursework through visits to healthcare facilities within the Western Cape Province.
Program Costs
Estimated Program Cost will vary
Costs for the USAC program to South Africa will vary depending on students preferences and necessities. Students will go over projected costs with a UNI study abroad advisor during their First Steps meeting.
USAC is a nonprofit, so they make it a priority to keep costs affordable to allow more students to gain an international experience. They also offer a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and discounts to students, as well as assistance to students who need help applying for financial aid.
UNI study abroad center also has many scholarship resources available for students. Visit our "Finances and Scholarships" page for more information.
Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*
*per semester, estimated, will vary per person
| Tuition & Fees | $4,968 |
| Room & Board | $4,993 |
| Books | $400 |
| Personal Expenses | $902 |
| Transportation | $385 |
| Total | $11,648 |
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). View eligibility requirements.