Study Abroad Consultants in South Africa

Below: what we do for South African students, what it costs, which European routes fit a matric or a South African degree, and how to check that any consultant you speak to — including us — is telling you the truth.

What we do for South African students

World Study helps South African students choose a European destination, apply to universities, find scholarships and prepare a visa-ready application. Our core service is free to you: universities pay us a referral commission when you enrol. Optional premium visa-and-relocation support is priced openly on our pricing page.

• Shortlisting. We match your matric results or degree to programmes you can realistically enter and afford — not the ones that pay us most.
• Applications. We prepare and submit your university applications, including credential recognition where the destination requires it.
• Document vetting. We check every document the way an embassy would, before you submit it. See how we vet documents.
• Honest visa guidance. We tell you your real odds. We do not guarantee visas, because nobody can.

Which European routes suit South African students

South Africans have a strong starting position: English is a language of instruction, the matric is well understood in Europe, and APS is not required — Germany’s APS certificate applies only to applicants from China, Vietnam and India. Your qualifications are assessed through uni-assist for Germany, and through the equivalent recognition body in each other destination.

• Germany — €0 tuition at public universities. Your main cost is the blocked account and living expenses. Strongest value route.
• Ireland — English-taught throughout, with a one- to two-year stay-back after graduation.
• Poland and Hungary — the lowest tuition in the EU, with broad English-taught choice including medicine.
• UK — familiar system, highest cost.

Compare all seven destinations on our study in Europe hub, or start from the study abroad from South Africa guide for costs in rand.

Scholarships open to South Africans

South Africa is a Commonwealth member, which opens routes some neighbours do not have:

• Chevening (UK) — fully funded one-year master’s.
• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) — master’s and PhD awards.
• DAAD (Germany) — postgraduate study and research.
• Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) — South Africa is on the partner list, unlike Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Erasmus Mundus (EU-wide) — open to all African countries, no country quota.

Full eligibility and deadlines on the scholarships for South African students page.

How to check any consultant — including us

South Africa’s study-abroad market has honest operators and dishonest ones. Before you pay anyone:

• Ask for a refusal rate, not a success rate. An honest consultant will give you a number and explain it. “98% success” is a marketing figure, not a statistic.
• Never pay to apply for a genuine scholarship. Chevening, DAAD, Commonwealth and Erasmus Mundus are all free to apply for.
• Never submit a document you cannot verify. A consultant who offers to “arrange” bank statements is offering to get you banned.
• Check they are traceable — a registered business, a real address, named advisors rather than an anonymous WhatsApp account.

Our how to spot a fake study-abroad agent guide lists every red flag, and the questions to ask.

Talk to us

Tell us your matric results or degree, your budget in rand, and where you would like to study. We will tell you what is realistic — including when the answer is that a destination does not fit.

Talk to a World Study advisor on WhatsApp or take the free 2-minute eligibility check →.