LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY IN SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

Are you an international student interested in studying at a South African university and wondering what are the language requirements needed in order to enrol? With 11 official South African languages and the country’s diverse culture, it’s easy to get confused about the language requirements to study in South African universities. But don’t worry we’ve got you sorted.

Although English is the language of instruction in South Africa, most universities use either English or Afrikaans and sometimes both of these languages as their language of instruction. However, Afrikaans is being phased out in most universities for a more inclusive study experience. Each university has its own set of requirements when it comes to their language of instruction. Here are the language requirements to study in South African Universities.

Language requirements of the top 5 universities in South Africa

1. University of Cape Town (UCT)

If you are an international student and English is not your home or first language, or you have not passed English at AS-levels, NSC grade 12, NSSC level, IGCSE or haven’t obtained an equivalent school leaving certificate at an English-Medium School then you must take an English language proficiency test or provide proof of English language proficiency. These are some of the tests which can be taken to prove English language proficiency:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the test should’ve been taken within the last two years. You should have a score of 88 or more, with an overall of 19 in writing, 19 in listening, 22 in speaking and 20 in reading.
• An IELTS is another English language test you can take, it should be taken at least two years before enrolment. You should obtain an overall score band of 6.5 or above and have an average of 6.0 in each category.
• Another test which can be taken is the Pearson PTE academic test, the test should be taken at least two years before enrolment. An overall score of 65 and above is required, and an average of 59 in each communicative skill category.
• The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is another English language proficiency test you can take. It shouldn’t be more than three years old. You must score between the intermediate upper range and above.

2. University of Witwatersrand (WITS)

The University of Witwatersrand is an English-medium university and one of their entry requirements is that you should be proficient in English in order to be accepted. These are the tests that international students can take to prove their English proficiency:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the student should have a minimum score of at least 7.0.
• WITS also allows the Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE), with a minimum test score of 185 points or above.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is accepted in some cases. If taken the student should have a score of 600 for the upper-based test (PBT) or a score of 250 for the computer-based test (CBT) or an average of 100 for the internet-based test in order to be accepted for admission.
• International students are also offered to enrol at the WITS Language School (WLS) where they can improve their English proficiency so that they can get accepted at WITS. At the English Language School, they offer English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course. The course includes six levels starting from pre-beginners to advanced level, a test is taken to determine in which level you fit into.

3. University of Johannesburg

• The University of Johannesburg requires that international students take an International English Learning Testing System (IELTS) and obtain an overall score of 6 for undergraduate studies and an overall of 7 for postgraduate studies.
• They also allow the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 80 to 104 for undergraduate studies and 105 to 120 for postgraduate studies. 
• They also give the option to write an English Language proficiency test by the university, called the Unversity of Johannesburg English Language Programme Test (UJELP), where it is required that you at least get an overall score of 6 for undergraduate studies and an overall score of 7 for postgraduate studies.

4, Stellenbosch University

At Stellenbosch University, for undergraduate studies both English and Afrikaans are used for teaching, assignments and examinations. But as an International student, you’ll have to: 

• Complete and pass an Intensive English Programme (IEP) before you can be accepted for any of the undergraduate programmes.
• There are seven different types of English Language proficiency tests they allow at Stellenbosch University in order to be accepted for postgraduate studies as an international student. 
• You can take a CEF level, where you have to obtain at least a level C1 to gain entrance. Or obtain a CAE on the Cambridge ESOL. You can also take the IELTS where you need to obtain an overall score of 6.5. A TOEFL iBT is another English language proficiency test you can take, where you need to obtain a minimum score of 79 or you can take a TOEFL CBT, where you need to obtain a score of 213 or a TOEFL paper-based where you need an average score of 550. The PTE Academic can also be taken where you need to score between 76 to 84.

5. University of Pretoria

University of Pretoria’s language policy allows for examinations to be answered in Afrikaans, but all lectures are conducted in English.

• The requirements for international students, whose first language isn’t English, is that they should be able to converse in English, and they are also required to write and pass a TOEFL or IELTS test in order to gain acceptance into the university.  

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