Short-Term students (Exchange and Study abroad) FAQs

Please note that the information below is given in addition to the information found on the General Information page. 

Please click on the relevant FAQs:

• Academic FAQs

• Application FAQs

• Visa/Study Permit FAQs

• Medical Cover FAQs

• Fees/Financial Aid FAQs

• Registration FAQs

• Accommodation FAQs

• Transport FAQs

• Orientation FAQs

• Grahamstown FAQs

• Other FAQs

Academic FAQs

FAQ: I would like information about the courses on offer at Rhodes University.

• Please visit the departmental websites for course outlines or peruse through the Student Handbook.

• Please note that not all courses are available to short-term students.

FAQ: I am not a first-language English speaker. Can I study at Rhodes University?

• Rhodes University is an English-medium university, and thus we expect that all our students are fluent and able to study in English.  Although there is no requirement to prove competency in the language, you should realise that you will NOT be given any assistance with your studies, and you will NOT be permitted extra time in the exams due to language difficulties.

• If you would like to see if you have adequate knowledge of English, you can take the International English Language System (IELTS) test independently.  We regard a student as competent if they achieve an overall band score of 7.0 (with no individual element of a test scoring below 6.0).  Note: this test is not a requirement for short-term students; you would simply be doing it for yourself.

• You can find more information about the test and where you can complete the test here: www.ielts.org

FAQ: My academic transcript/qualifications are in a different language to English. Will Rhodes recognise these?

• You will need to get your results translated and certified.  Once this is done, submit them to the International Office when you apply, along with your application form and other supporting documents.

Application FAQs

FAQ: When is the Rhodes academic year?

• The Rhodes academic year runs from February to December.
• Semester 1: February to June
• Semester 2: July to December

FAQ: Can I start studying if July?

• Yes, if you are an exchange or study abroad student.  Please note that not all courses are available in the second semester (July to December) because not all courses are semesterised.

FAQ: How long can I study at Rhodes for?

• Exchange and study abroad students usually study at Rhodes for one semester, either the first or second one.  In some cases, students stay for one academic year, either semester one and two of one year, or semester two of one year and semester one of the following year.

FAQ: How do I apply to Rhodes University?

• You can download the application form here: Application for Incoming Exchange & Study Abroad Students

• Submit this and all supporting documentation to the International Office by the stipulated deadlines below:

Application deadlines:

• First semester (February to June): 15 October

• Second Semester (July to December): 15 March

If you are an exchange student, remember to apply through your home institution.

FAQ: What is the closing date for applications?

Application deadlines:

• First semester (February to June): 15 October

• Second Semester (July to December): 15 March

Visa/Study Permit FAQs

FAQ: Can I apply for a visa/study permit through Rhodes University or the International Office?

• No, you need to apply for a visa/study permit in your home country, prior to coming to South Africa, and you need to do this independently.  You need to ensure that it is valid for the entire period of study.

• You will not be able to register at Rhodes University if your visa/study permit is not valid for the entire period of study.

Please see more information regarding Visa/Study Permits here.

Medical Cover FAQs

FAQ: Do I need medical aid/health insurance?

• Yes, you require this in order to apply for a visa/study permit and to register at Rhodes University. It needs to cover the entire period of study.

• This is a legal requirement, stipulated under Immigration Act 10 (2004), which requires that students must provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act 131 (1998).

• Please note that all international students must have their South African medical aid cover for the year facilitated via ABSA Health Care Consultants in order to be acceptable for Rhodes University registration purposes.

•  You can contact the ABSA Health Care Consultants:

Email: international.students@absa.co.za

Telephone: 0860 100 380 (while in South Africa: 08h00 - 16h30)

For more Medical Cover queries, please see the full list of Medical Aid FAQs.

Fees/Financial Aid FAQs

FAQ: When must I pay my fees by?

• Study abroad students need to pay tuition (including the surcharge/international fee) and accommodation before they register at Rhodes University.

• Both study abroad and exchange students need to ensure that they have settled their accounts before they leave Rhodes University.  Failing this, their transfer credits will not be released.

FAQ: What fees do I need to pay?

Study Abroad students:

• You need to pay tuition, accommodation, and the international surcharge to Rhodes.  Medical cover is NOT included in the Rhodes fees. Note that miscellaneous fees should be expected: society fees, course handouts, printing charges, and so on.

• Get more fee information on Undergraduate fees here.

Exchange Students:

• This depends on the agreement with your home university.  In some cases, you will not need to pay tuition or accommodation; in others, you may have to pay accommodation.  All exchange students will also have to pay all miscellaneous fees: medical aid, society fees, course handouts, printing charges, and so on.

FAQ: Does Rhodes University or the International Office offer financial aid to international students?

• No. Please note that when you come to Rhodes University, you undertake that you have sufficient funds to pay for your Rhodes fees, your medical aid, your travel costs, your books and study costs, as well as all personal living costs.

Registration FAQs

FAQ: When can I register at Rhodes University?

When you arrive at Rhodes University, present yourself to the International Office (in the Eden Grove building), and they will help you through registration.  Note that you will not be allowed into your accommodation until you have registered.

FAQ: Can I register late?

• If you plan to arrive late (after the semester has commenced), you need to notify the International Office.  Please note that you may incur a penalty fee for late arrival.

Accommodation FAQs

FAQ: Is there campus accommodation for international students?

• All our short-term study abroad students and exchange students are required to stay in campus accommodation.  You will be allocated to one of the various residences.

FAQ: Where do I find off-campus accommodation?

• We do not allow our short-term students to stay off-campus.

FAQ: Can I stay in Rhodes accommodation over the vacations?

• Residence accommodation is available over the April and October vacations at an extra cost (and so may not necessarily be paid for by your home institution). Please consult the fees information.

• There is no accommodation available during July or December to January for undergraduates.

• Please note that you may not necessarily be allowed to stay in your own residence over vacations.

FAQ: When can I move into Rhodes accommodation?

• You may only enter residence on the dates stipulated in your acceptance letter from the International Office.  Please don't arrive early in Grahamstown - you will not be allowed into your residence.

Transport FAQs

FAQ: How do I get to Grahamstown?

• You need to arrange your own transport to Port Elizabeth. Ensure that you have informed the International Office of your flight details, so that a shuttle can be arranged from PE Airport to Grahamstown.
• If and when you are accepted, we will send you a Transport Request Form which will inform us as to when you are arriving and when we can arrange to collect you.

Orientation FAQs

FAQ: Is there orientation for new students?

• Yes.

FAQ: Is orientation compulsory?

• It is compulsory for all short-term international students.

Grahamstown FAQs

FAQ: How do I find my way around Grahamstown?

• You can obtain maps from the International Office or from the Makana Tourism Office (Information Centre) on High Street near the Cathedral.
• Take a tour of Grahamstown (please see Grahamstown Information).
• Look at the interactive Grahamstown map.

FAQ: How do I get information on Grahamstown?

• Please see Grahamstown Information.

Other FAQs

FAQ: How do I open a bank account?

• You need to do this in person at the bank in question.  We have several banks in Grahamstown: you can choose which you prefer.

• Note that while a bank account is not necessary (you may simply use a credit card to pay for everything), it may be useful and helpful in keeping costs down.

• You will need: proof of residence (a letter from the Student Bureau or a copy of your lease); proof of registration; copies of your passport and your visa/study permit.

FAQ: What else do I need to know?

Please see the Life at Rhodes page.

Would you like to come to Rhodes as a degree-seeking student?

Click here.

Would you like to come to Rhodes as an exchange/study abroad student?

Click here.