South Africa is a rainbow nation, an African economic powerhouse with the most progressive democracy in the world. It boasts high quality and globally competitive education, obtainable at a very low fees due to the low exchange rate. It also has major research centres focusing on indigenous and advanced technologies.
 
South Africa is easy and it's fun. Transport, financial and communication (including internet) services are well established, and just about everything that can be bought in advanced economies is easily obtainable.
The nightlife is great and opportunities for sport, travel and adventure abound.
 
Straddling the developed and developing worlds, South Africa features the ups and downs of both. A sophisticated infrastructure, diverse economy and strong institutions brush shoulders with some poverty. There is an abundance of wildlife in many national parks (Kruger Park) are a rich cultural melting pot of African, European, Asian and Coloured (mixed race) influences.
 
South Africa has a large higher education system comprising 21 universities, l5 Technikons (Universities of Technology), 50 Teachers Training Colleges and scores of Agricultural and Nursing Colleges.

There's also a growing private Tertiary sector, whose institutions range from Colleges to Universities. The country's research output generated by 12 500 full time academics and a similar number of research working for
research councils, institutes and companies, is the biggest in Africa - thus competing with the best in many developed countries.

South Africa is a fascinating place to study. Developing country challenges and the evolving juxtaposition of traditional and modem provide a strong higher education sector with many research opportunities.

Scientists and social researchers in South Africa are presented with an extraordinary range of opportunities to design, test and refine solutions to pressing social, technological and developmental problems.
 
For this reason, academic life in the country is far removed from the "ivory tower" and South African academics are deeply involved with the society around them. Many universities and Technikons have excellent facilities and research departments and their academics are well qualified.
 
Students participate in exciting, undergraduate programs; quality research and development projects across a range of fields, and research outcomes can impact directly on the local and national scene, and have regional and global significance.