Every year, thousands of matriculants fail to get into their chosen university – not because of bad marks but limited spots, especially at top-ranked ones like UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch and Pretoria.
For the 2024 academic year, just 210,000 first-time students were accepted nationally. That’s a fraction of those who applied.
UCT enrolled 4,500 first-year students from 92,841 applications. Stellenbosch University got 88,085 applications and enrolled 5,600 first-year undergraduates. UKZN received 160,059 applications for 9,000 first-year spots.
Private colleges are easier to get into but can be expensive. Another option is studying in Mauritius which offers more affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees than many other international study destinations.
Mauritius also offers access to international degrees through partnerships with global universities such as Curtin University, Middlesex University and the University of Central Lancashire.
This means that you get the same quality degree as in the UK or Australia but at a lower cost. You could also study in Mauritius for two years and then do your final year in the UK or Australia, opening the door to various stay-back options and the potential to emigrate.
South Africa vs Mauritius cost comparison
South African universities
| University/college2024* | BCom | BA | Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town | R66,140 -R98,140 | R71,400 | R102,470 |
| University of the Witwatersrand | R57,800 -R78,220 | R51,950 -R65,100 | R77,700 |
| University of Pretoria | R50,000 -R64,000 | R45,000 -R56,000 | R70,000 -R87,000 |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | R53,089 -R58,397 | R49,628 | R60,202 |
| Stellenbosch University | R57,006 | R55,036 | R 87,946 |
Private South African universities
| Vega School 2025 | BCom in digital marketing R116,040 | BA in Strategic Brand Communication R103,320 | BA Honours in Strategic Brand Communication R114,000 |
| Varsity College2025 | BCom R85,800 | BA R93,480 | Bachelor of Social Sciences R101,520 |
| Eduvos2025 | BCom R71,500 | BA R69,500 | Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine R105,200 |
| Red & Yellow Creative School of Business2024 | BCom: Marketing R93,500 + once-off R9,500 registration fee | BA: Visual Communications R93,500 + once-off R9,500 registration fee | Advanced Diploma: Digital Marketing R84,500 + once-off R9,500 registration fee |
| MSA, formerly known as Monash South Africa | BCom R 107,040 | BA R93,480 | Law (LLB) R116,520 |
Mauritian universities
| Curtin University2024 | BCom R124,030 | BSc nursing R108,961 | BSc Psychological Science and HR Management R124,020 |
| Middlesex University Mauritius 2024/2025 | Computing/law programmes R149,153 | BA Accounting/business management R135,150 | BSc Psychology with counselling skills R135,150 |
| University of Central Lancashire Mauritius 2024/2025 | BA (Hons) Business and MarketingR110,166 | BA (Hons) Management in Tourism/hospitality R110,166 | Graduate diploma in law R147,212 |
*Please note: Some of these estimates are for 2024 and others for 2025, depending on what was available. Some institutions offer payment options which can affect the overall price, and some don’t include other fees such as registration.
Benefits of studying in Mauritius
- Mauritius is a multicultural country known for its political stability, safety and high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for international students.
- The official language is English, but French and Mauritian Creole are also spoken.
- The country has a mix of local and international institutions, offering courses that are on par with global standards.
- The education system is designed to cater to international students, focusing on medicine, engineering, business and technology-related fields and hospitality.
Cost of living
The average cost of living for an international student including rent, utility bills, travel passes, personal expenses and food and grocery costs can range from R17,000 to R25,000 depending on where you live and your lifestyle.
The cost of living in Mauritius is slightly higher than in South Africa, especially in urban areas like Port Louis, but lower than in other developed countries.
Work while studying
Mauritius offers a student work permit allowing up to 20 hours of work per week. After graduating, you can apply for a work permit or permanent residency if you secure employment.
Stay back options
Once you have graduated, you can apply for a Young Professional Occupation Permit to look for a job or start a business. Depending on your employment status, you can then apply for an extension or transition to a long-term work or residency permit.
Sable International’s Study Abroad team offers a free service to help you decide where and what to study. Visit them at the 2024 Global Citizenship and Emigration Expo from October 28 to November 7 in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Alternatively, give them a call on +27 (0) 21 657 1543 or email at study@sableinternational.com to start your journey to receiving a world-class education.
