Study Abroad

A melting pot of cultures is present in the city of Port Elizabeth. Here the Xhosa’s, Afrikaners and English work and socialize side-by-side, creating a fusion of experiences for students. From creating your own African beat at a drumming session, to feasting on traditional Afrikaans dishes like ‘melktert’ and enjoying the ultimate South African experience, a ‘braai’ after and exciting day spent wildlife watching, you will experience it while studying at the NMMU.

Students coming on an exchange agreement and study abroad, whether it’s for six months or a year, will not only experience top quality education, but also be able to experience adventure, wildlife, history, culture and South African night-life. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is indeed South Africa’s unique study address.

Study Abroad and Exchange Programme

The NMMU proudly plays host to more than 300 Study Abroad and Exchange students a year, from Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. These students are warmly welcomed as they add to the cultural diversity of the university and make the NMMU campus one of the most internationalized universities in South Africa. This programme accommodates students, not only from NMMU partner universities, but also from all over the world. Student who wish to spend a semester or year abroad, fall within this programme.

We warmly welcome international students to join our exciting and diverse university environment for the study experience of a lifetime!

NMMU accepts applications from students that fall within the following categories:

Exchange students

NMMU has signed exchange agreements with specific institutions throughout Europe, the UK, the USA, Africa and Asia (link to partner list).

The exchange agreements have been set up for a specific number of students who will be selected by the home institution. Each home institution has their own internal procedure to select students. Students must liaise with their International Office (or Contact person) and applications will only be accepted if it is submitted via their international office. Students who fall within these agreements may not submit an application directly to NMMU.

Study Abroad students

NMMU also accepts student from universities with whom we do not have agreements. These students are referred to as ‘free movers’.

Study abroad students are treated in the same way as exchange students as far as academic requirements and practical arrangements are concerned.

Application deadlines

Deadlines for the first semester (January to June is 15 November and for the second semester (July to November) is 30 April. First semester spans from summer to winter and second semester spans from winter to spring.

Application Procedure

In order to apply for a place at NMMU please read the instructions carefully before completing the forms.

- Application form

Students are required to complete the official NMMU study abroad/exchange application form (attach form/link). Please complete the form and make sure it is accompanied by the following:

• Certified copy of passport
• Copy of a study record/academic transcript with the grades achieved (subjects completed at tertiary level) preferably in English
• Curriculum vitae
• Photo
• Recommendation / nomination letter from partner institution (including English Language Proficiency (this is applicable to exchange students)
• In certain instances students may be required to submit TOEFLE / IELTS certificates or proof of English Language Proficiency
• List of courses that you are planning to take at NMMU

Incomplete application forms will delay the process and we urge students to submit all the required documents.

- Acceptance letter

After we receive the completed application form we will send you an acceptance letter. You are required to apply for a study permit in your home country at your nearest South African Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Trade Mission. When submitting your documents for the study permit application please ensure that you have read and complied with the medical aid requirements.

- Modules

Most modules/courses are available to Study Abroad and Exchange students. Some modules / courses have restrictions on the number of places and students may in certain instances not be allowed to enroll for these modules. Students can choose courses/subjects from any faculty. This provides students with the possibility to experience one of the 11 languages of South Africa like: Xhosa or Afrikaans, or learn more about the country’s fascinating history while obtaining an international education in their chosen field.

- Credits

All Study Abroad and Exchange student are required to take a certain amount of modules that are worth credits. You are required to take the following amount of credits:

• Six month programme: 40 to 60 credits
• Year programme: 100 to 120 credits

This requirement allows students to keep within their own university’s credit requirements, as:

• 4 NMMU credits = 1 US credit
• 2 NMMU credits = 1 ECTS credit

- Medical Aid

In terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004, any prospective student to the Republic of South Africa, must provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 Act 131.

Although you may, with some foreign insurance products, secure a study visa from a South African Diplomatic Mission, NMMU in accordance with the above legislation does not accept such insurance products for registration purposes.

- Accommodation

Study Abroad / Exchange students have to stay in NMMU accredited accommodation. If your accommodation is not accredited by NMMU, the off campus office will have no control over the establishment, the contract with your landlord or off campus behaviour of the student. University accredited accommodation is checked for safety and suitability and landlords will be in partnership with the university as we strive to enhance the off campus learning environment.

Study Abroad / Exchange students are required to stay only in NMMU accredited accommodation and will take up lease agreements for the full semester / year stay. Accommodation is booked for the full semester/ year and students will not be allowed to vacate once the room has been occupied.

Pre-registration and registration

Pre-registration is the process that aids students in selecting courses and collating all the required documentation prior to actual registration.

All international students are required to submit the following before registration (during the orientation and pre-registration period):

- Valid study permit

- Valid passport

- Proof of medical cover with a medical aid registered in South Africa

- Proof of payment of study fees including accommodation

Travel Preparations

For Study Abroad or Exchange students it will be best to fly into either the O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg International) or the Cape Town International Airport. From there, any of the local airlines can take you to Port Elizabeth. You will be picked up at the airport by the Office for International Education and taken to your accommodation on arrival.

Money matters

Please have some South African rands on you when entering South Africa. You can also have traveler’s cheques and foreign currency with you, which can be exchanges at a later stage. You can also open a South African bank account by coming to the Office for International Education and requesting an official letter from us which will assist you in opening the bank account.

For more information contact: studyabroad@nmmu.ac.za

Files you can download:
	77kb	Study Abroad Application form
	5611kb	Study Abroad Incoming Student Brochure