Best courses to study in South Africa

South Africa is a country that offers an array of opportunities for students to pursue their academic interests. From vibrant cities to stunning landscapes, South Africa is a country that has something for everyone. If you’re considering studying in South Africa, you’re in for a treat. With its world-class universities and colleges, South Africa has become a popular destination for students from all over the world.

If you’re looking for information on the best courses to study in South Africa, you might also be interested in checking out our previous post on the best courses to study in Nigeria.

In this article, we will be highlighting the 10 best courses to study in South Africa, helping you make an informed decision about your academic pursuits.

Education System in South Africa

The education system in South Africa has changed significantly since 1994 when the country transitioned to democracy. The new government recognized the need to address the unequal access to education created by apartheid and has implemented policies to create a more inclusive and equitable system.

The education system has three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary education is mandatory and lasts seven years, beginning at age six. Secondary education lasts five years and includes the General Education and Training (GET) phase, where students learn various subjects, and the Further Education and Training (FET) phase, where students choose a specific stream of study, such as academic, technical, or vocational.

The academic stream leads to a National Senior Certificate (NSC), which is needed for tertiary education. The technical and vocational streams lead to vocational qualifications and allow students to enter the workforce after finishing their studies.

Universities, colleges, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions provide tertiary education in South Africa. Universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, while colleges and TVET institutions provide vocational and technical qualifications.

Despite efforts to improve the system, South Africa still faces numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, insufficient teacher training, and poor infrastructure in some areas. There are also significant disparities in education quality between urban and rural areas and between schools in affluent and disadvantaged areas.

Overview of 10 best courses to study in South Africa

• Medicine and Surgery 

Medicine and Surgery is one of the most sought-after courses, with thousands of students enrolling in it every year. Studying this course can enable one to become a medical professional, which is a highly respected and financially rewarding profession. 

The demand for medical attention in South Africa is increasing due to the rapidly growing population of sick patients, making this profession even more important.

• Marketing

In South Africa, marketing is a highly significant course as it serves as an essential tool for any thriving business or organization. 

By studying marketing, you can become a successful marketing professional proficient in Marketing Research, Marketing Management, which involves managing a company’s marketing activities and resources, branding, and international marketing of their products.

• Law

Law is an incredibly important field of study, and it is undoubtedly one of the best courses to pursue in South Africa. 

This is because the society cannot function effectively without lawyers, who are responsible for drafting contractual agreements, managing land documents, handling estates, signing legal documents, resolving disputes, and providing legal advice and other legal services to people.

• Accounting

Accounting is undoubtedly one of the best courses to study in South Africa. This is because accountants are in high demand by every type of organization, company, or association in the country. 

This is because every organization requires professionals who can effectively manage and keep track of their finances, audit their accounts, provide financial analysis, information systems, internal audits, and management accounting services.

• ICT

As we are all aware, the world we live in today is highly digitized. Consequently, proficiency in computer science, information technology, and communication studies is of utmost importance. This makes ICT a great field of study in South Africa.

Some of the courses that one may pursue under ICT include Computer Science, Web Design Technology (which involves the creation and design of websites, graphic design, web engineering, and interface technology to create user-friendly, informative, and responsive websites), and Information Systems (which combines business and IT information to analyze data and apply it to business).

• Engineering

Engineering is a field with a wide range of specializations that students can choose from, such as petroleum engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial production engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, agricultural and environmental engineering, mechatronics, and more.

Due to the continued growth of the industry, the engineering sector in South Africa seeks to employ young graduates every year, making it a high-demand field. Engineers are highly respected and receive good compensation for their services.

• Nursing

Nursing is a highly in-demand profession that provides essential services in South Africa and around the world. As a nurse, there are numerous opportunities available both locally and internationally.

Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare industry by providing direct patient care, administering medication and treatments, and educating patients and their families. They work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.

Additionally, there is a high demand for nurses in countries like the UK, which offers attractive opportunities for South African nurses who are seeking a change in working conditions or looking to expand their careers globally.

• Pharmacy

Pharmacy is a highly marketable course in South Africa as it prepares individuals to formulate drugs and understand how they work. A pharmacist has the option to work in a pharmaceutical company, establish their own business or work for a federal government drug agency.

Pharmacists play a critical role in the healthcare industry, ensuring that medications are safely and appropriately prescribed, dispensed and administered. They are responsible for managing medication therapy for patients and providing drug information to other healthcare professionals.

In addition to their clinical duties, pharmacists are also involved in drug research and development, as well as drug regulation and policy-making. 

• Project management 

This course is aimed at project managers and individuals involved in the day-to-day operations of businesses at an advanced operational and strategic level. It is an essential course for advancing your career and improving the quality of your work.

In South Africa, there is a high demand for this type of course, and it is not surprising that it is one of the most sought-after programmes. Those who pursue this course typically receive well-paying job opportunities.

As for other courses in demand in South Africa, it varies based on the industry and current market needs. However, courses related to technology, finance, healthcare, and renewable energy are generally in high demand.

• Journalism

Journalism is the process of gathering, evaluating, creating, writing, and presenting news and information. As a specialized field, it aims to provide the public with information on local, national, and international events.

Studying journalism is highly valuable, as it fosters communication skills, allows for daily interactions with new people, offers exposure to the public eye, and provides knowledge of current events in the country.

As a journalist or a graduate of a relevant journalism course, you can work in a variety of settings, such as television stations, radio stations, newspapers, digital communication, online TV, or as a freelance journalist.