Africa is one of the most underdeveloped regions of the world, with rampant poverty, social evils, and the right to equitable behaviour still lagging. Some of the popular issues and problems of the continent of Africa is poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and shortage of education, government corruption, disease, no proper healthcare system, racial discrimination, high crime rates, unavailability of infrastructure, less life expectancy etc. The distribution of resources is so imbalanced, that some of the regions are the richest while some are the poorest in the world. Despite the rising concerns and shortcomings, Africa has managed to be rich with culture, traditions, gold reserves, greenery, animals, flora and fauna diversity and geographical locations.

The education sector is still in the developing phase but it still offers various student programs especially for international students, which includes practical and interesting fieldwork, administration of issues, empowering of local communities and other noteworthy learnings. Hence the continent and its various countries can offer various courses in the field of international relations, development of resources, infrastructure and basic amenities upheaval, anthropology, social science subjects like sociology, politics, psychology and public policy, and natural programmes like environmental studies, botany, biochemical engineering, biology or zoology, geography and others.

Some of the areas of Africa are influenced by India and Arabia like in the food styles, cuisines, language is spoken, traditional style of clothing, family values etc. While some others have Mediterranean flair. With the mixed culture and diverse systems, living a life and career in the African region is very colourful and vibrant enough. The education offered for higher studies like in the University of Cape Town, Johannesburg’s University of Witwatersrand, and Stellenbosch University are all the best ranked and immensely popular. These are some of the universities mentioned in the ranking system of Times Higher Education of World University. All major disciplines and courses and subject varieties are present in the universities and colleges, and the quality of education in schools is also exemplarily above average.

The cultural and ethnic groups of Africa are mixed and matched in the continent. And they are the perfect example of co-existence. The history of Africa has a rich culture, the blend of which can be seen in the modern societies in the area. The indigenous and traditional outlook and cultures of Europe and Arabic are deeply rooted in the human race of the area. But with time some of the areas are getting westernized, and the changes can be seen in the education pattern and courses offered too. But the most important learning from the African society is the family value system of the area. The huge respect the elders receive in the region is incomparable, and can not be taught through the education system, but are the values which are being passed on from generations.

The uncertainties, and the threatening environment in the regions, makes it difficult to get regularity, persistence and strictness in daily regimes. Hence sometimes the student life is not safe and secure in the region. Important activities of the region are Crafting, beading, music, dance, and storytelling which are also even professionally preached in the region.

The physical attributes enable the citizens and students to get into the sports and athletic industries especially Basketball, soccer etc. The student life is enriching and colourful in the area. For those who wish to add an exciting and adventurous brim to the curriculum, and have the capacity to explore and uncanny ways of this dynamic world, then African countries are the best example and study destination for someone. Countries like South Africa are the most developed areas of the region and are highly expensive too. The universities and schools in the area offer countless degrees, various programs and scope to grow via different levels of studies. They try to educate the students by challenging and allowing them to have their solutions themselves. South Africa has also vowed and passed many regulations and plans to produce responsible citizens by educating them in the formative years of their lives. The aim is to create socially, economically, culturally and globally the best minds in all respects.

1. Great academic programs with vibrant, innovative and cultural diversity

The environment of the steep and vibrant cultural diversity of the country has a blend and pinch of rich history, heritage and traditional values. This can be inculcated and learnt from the well-behaved men and women of the area. This directly impacts the student and learners atmosphere thus, making a routine habit for them to learn and grow accordingly.

Countries like South Africa have 11 official languages, the most important out of which is English which is also the most popular and widely spoken. Every language has its own culture and history and thus adds immensely to the development of the individual. Some of the languages are Ndebele, Afrikaans, and Zulu.

2. A growing economy and creation of emerging opportunities

South Africa and other African countries in this regard show various opportunities and shower numerous jobs, business and entrepreneurial scope. The job sector, especially the agricultural, services, sports, mining, engineering and community industries are growing and having important educational and knowledge-based decision making sections, which helps in shaping the structure of society and in turn giving opportunities. In all these, the student is on the side of getting benefits, as the universities and higher studies teach the individual about practicality and solution-based knowledge.

3. Spectacular weather and geographic conditions

Good weather and climatic conditions work like icing on the cake to the already beautiful and geographically enriched area of the continent. This extensively and additionally boosts the morale and the inquisitiveness of the student to remain there and study in the African countries. Sunshine, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, pleasing temperatures, terrains, plains, grasslands are the important features in the area.

4. Affordable

The cost of living, cost of studying, accommodation, rents, tuition fees and all other big concerns related to finances, is affordable and easy to arrange. As compared to the western countries, these foreign lands are worthy of the value of money they are charging from fellow students.

5. Relevance and connectivity with the worldly requirements of Today’s world

African society reflects the original and real issues in the education structure of the students. This helps the student find knowledgeable solutions. And hence knowledge imparting on these issues and problems are also helpful.

6. Mineral resources-rich country and the relevant knowledge

The lands of Africa have various mines, and raw materials and sources of energy. Proper distribution, extraction, management and administration requires patience, knowledge and skills. These features are imparted in the regular sections and mentoring sessions.

7. Important to understand world history and even modern American history

The African countries are the soul and heart of different battles and civilizations. To know how the world and its cultures evolved to the present day, one must know the history and culture of individual countries and important centres of Africa.

8. Better-informed global citizen

With so many social evils and so much requirement of global and well updated intellectual citizens and people, the system automatically creates global citizens.

• Audio Engineering

  Audio engineering is a field of study which is focused on programming and the creation of knowledge and skills for students, regarding sound features. This may involve dubbing, music, voiceovers, Telephonic audios, technicalities in the audio systems and speakers. This is a direct field where practical experience is getting used. DJ, Sound technician, voice-over artists, dubbing artists, web designing tools and software are the key concerned areas.

• Engineering

  Designing, developing, optimization of the output, machinery and technical tools, maintenance, and creation systems, cyber laws, software and others are the key areas of engineering. This is the application of science and hence requires curiosity and daring, with proper understanding and knowledge base. Basic subjects are math, design, logic, computers, analysis and others. These are the modern-day problem-solving professions.

• Manufacturing

  The production and making of goods and services through new-age technologies and the industrial base of the countries. The transformation of raw material into a finished or usable product or item to eat is the main role of this manufacturing sector. Skills, machine language, operating and technique to use machines are important aspects. Correcting, administering, repairing, using, changing and modifying etc.

Marketing Management and Commerce related subjects

• 1. Entrepreneurial Management

• 2. International Business Administration

• 3. Technology Governance & Digital Transformation

• 4. Accounting and Finance

• 5. Business Management

• 6. Digital Business Management

• 7. Aerospace Intelligence and Business Analytics

• 8. Banking and International Finance

• 9. Big Data, Marketing and Management

• 10. Corporate Finance and Advisory Management

• 11. Artificial Database

• 12. Marketing Research

• 13. Retail Management

• 14. Supply chain and logistics

• 15. Content creation

• 16. Artistic approach

• 17. Art related subjects

• 18. Entertainment

• 19. Sports and athletic industries

• Fee of colleges
• Duration of Courses
• The speciality of teachers and their Quality
• The infrastructure of the campus and that particular university
• History and establishment of the campus in terms of years
• The safety and security in the university
• The country status and economy
• Political issues in the country
• Recognition and affiliation if any(university/school)
• Subject availability
• Extracurricular activities
• Proximity to the residence
• Scholarships available and others
• Application deadlines
• Visa application form, and time
• Issues and problems if any
• Market analysis of the job sector, after education

Since the decisions to choose a particular college is personal, and is thus subjective from person to person. At last, the student chooses the college of his/her comfortability and considers all the above decisions and consultations from important entities of one’s life.

After selection of a few, one must and can have comparisons between the shortlisted colleges from various important countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe etc for best decisions, and career prospects. All these data can be checked on the websites and prospectus of particular universities.

2. Register and Apply

The next step is to look for the dates of submission, the final call dates, application procedure of the college, as it is different for different colleges and even sometimes courses. Though the process of entering, and applying to different universities are also different.

3. Accept the offer

After successful registrations and appropriate documentation of the application for the college, one has to wait for a few days or months. By the time every application is screened and checked, the final decision is taken by the college and university authorities. Then if one gets selected and shortlisted, the university or college will contact via mails, letter or contact no. provided in the form, and will tell about the future process if any.

Various interviews are also scheduled and taken, for after or before the offer is made, as the college and university authorities deem fine. This step helps in better acknowledgement of students by the universities, and at the same time for students to get a practical idea of what their future in the college would be like. While for some of the courses and practical streams these interviews are mandatory before the offer is made.

4. Arrange Funding

Now is the time to think about the fund requirements and the source of generation of these finances. Funds for the fees structure and other expenses to live like food, accommodation and transportation, with some immigration and Visa application fee are the major concerns. The burden for this financial assistance and huge fees shifts to parents and guardians, as per the culture and tradition of India. To help the individuals with the above problem, there are many ways like personal funding, scholarships, grants, Institutional aids, Government resources and support assistance, Via the employment side by side with the studies and courses opted for.

To attain scholarship and aid, one must be extraordinary in the skillset, scope for any subject matter, intellectual part, learning and growing capacity, determination and clear-headedness. Also, the rules and procedures for these grants and scholarships are totally and solely dependent on the standards of that particular university or college. Hence these become a combative and competitive exercise for students. For more details, on such matters, one needs to regularly be updated on the circulars and notices of that particular college and university, via their websites or social media pages if any. Some of the fund generating ideas are

• A private organization or Private resources
• Corporate houses and companies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Government scholarship programmes
• Internships or Employment
• Family income
• Research and fellowship programmes

5. Apply For a VISA in the immigration office

For studying outside the country the important factor is to get permission from the foreign country to stay and study in the region. For the same, we apply for a Visa. Without this permit, one can not travel to countries and study. A student visa is required for studying purposes and is an important thing to possess. The documents required for its approval are

• Passport photos the latest
• Photocopy of a valid passport
• Personal ID card
• Citizenship documents
• Health certificate
• Certification of no criminal record
• English language proficiency, for which certificate can be attained after tests of the same as IELTS for English.
• Letter of guarantee, to abide by rules and regulations of country and college premises. With no harm to any of it.
• Proof to support the economic condition and affordability, like financial statements
• Certificate/diploma/mark sheets from the last qualifying paper.
• Academic transcript from last graduated school.

The visa process of African countries are as follows(for consideration South Africa is being specified)

• Make an application to the visa and immigration authority in the nearest South African Embassy, of our country. Check if it is in one’s area, else surely will be in New Delhi. One can also apply for the same to the Consulate or High Commission.
• The process takes a long time, and hence must be started well before time. Generally, it takes around 8 weeks.
• Applications can be submitted through agents and middlemen. Or from various websites, directly to the university or school of any particular country. The steps for such exercise are,
  • Visit the website or other official web pages of the University or school chosen
  • Obtain and procure the application form.
  • Read out the instructions proactively and keenly.
  • Properly fill out the authentic and relevant information in the form
  • Upload the required documents.
  • Now apply by sending in the form to the University or admission department of the university, as per the email id or contact information provided in the application
  • Wait till the screening takes place.
  • Once selected or rejected will be told to the prospective candidates, on the following date
  • If successful, one will receive an offer letter by Email or courier.
  • Now make the documents ready for a visa application form.
  • Apply for a visa, as per the rules and regulations of a country.
• Required Documents for Student Visas in South Africa
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of application payment
  • Acceptance letter of the university
  • Statements of course duration
  • Confirmation of registration
  • Police Clearance Certificate by the country officials issued by the security authority
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate
  • Proof of access to the relevant finances
  • Proof of medical coverage
  • Marital status documents(if and when applicable)
• Visa Application for Family Members, in case of staying after studies too or in need of applying for a take-along relationship like spouse, or parents or others. Though this Visa is applicable only for three years and does not give any facility or grant to the holder any features to work or study.

  • Zimbabwe

    • Residence Permit application form (IF5) to be duly procure
    • Must complete this IF5 form and duly submit, while attesting to Commissioner of Oaths.
    • Get the application form from the Zimbabwean Embassy or Department of Immigration offices in Harare.

  • Egypt

    Eligibility requirement is

    • American high school diploma or equivalent qualification,
    • Proof of English proficiency, IELTS or TOEFL score

  • Ethiopia

    Eligibility requirement is

    • Cambridge Overseas Examination
    • West African School Certificate
    • Oxford Examination
    • General Certificate of Education (University of London)

6. Prepare for the Stay and living

When one receives the approval of the Visa application form, it’s the go green signal and status, and one can finally book the tickets to travel and start the new chapter of one’s life. Now just look for details of accommodation and emotionally gain support for separation from family and friends, Though one will meet new friends and make new lives.

• Home country of the individual

• Specific university, and type of schools

  Since each institution sets and frames its guidelines and fees structure, and no role of the government is there in any regard.

• Type of university, i.e. public or private institution(Private institutions charge higher)
• Area of the university
• Popularity and history of the college
• Quality and infrastructure of study programmes
• Courses offered, like research base
• Alumni and faculty

The approx cost and tuition fee amount would most probably be between

• For undergraduate R35,000 and R110,000 per year
• For postgraduate R20,000 and R75,000 per year
• Specialist degrees, such as MBA, Journalism or medicine degrees will be a little expensive.
• On average, the tuition fee ranges from 14000 Rand to 34000 Rand (approx. Rs 80,000 – 1,95000) per year.

These costs mentioned are for the country, South Africa. The Other African countries also have similar costs, as per the ones mentioned above.

With a valid and authentic study permit or student pass, one is allowed to work on a part-time basis for no more than 20 hours a week (although not during academic vacations). For applying to work in foreign countries certain other permissions and duties are also required from the department of home affairs of that particular country. Certain important documents are

• A formal offer letter for conducting and being a part of practical training.
• Consent of the educational institution/university.
• Proof of being a registered student

Cost of living

There are major and high differences in living expenses of the countries of Africa. For reference, Angola and Nigeria, are probably the most expensive countries in Africa. Zimbabwe is a little costly, and South Africa has important and worthy costs for everything. Though the other countries like Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are less costly, and easily affordable by a middle-class aspirant of INDIA.

The cost of living in the US or the UK is really more developed and highly expensive as compared to the costs of studying and living in these 48 countries as a whole. The living costs are dependent on the following factors

Area one chooses to study in and from.

Bigger cities are more expensive than smaller cities. The budget of R90,000 to R120,000 per year can cover all the major living expenses of the area. The following are the major expenses included in the above figures like rent, utilities, groceries, local travel, clothing, communication, entertainment and other essential items and services.

• Meal and food costs are close to 50 rands (within Rs 300)
• A mid-range restaurant costs300 Rand (around Rs 1750) for a meal for two.
• Accommodation costs 4000 to 5000 Rand for a flat(approx. Rs 22500 - 28500)

• Bank loan

  For short-term or part-time studies, this is the most viable option. The tuition fees and study materials procurement costs can be included and compensated via these finances.

• Financial Aid

  Most South African universities offer these aids and grants to finance one's studies and living expenses in a new country. These are provided to meritorious students, with the best extracurricular activities. The financially weak and low-income students generally reap the benefits of such schemes and programmes. These are provided via various schools and universities themselves.

• Scholarships programmes for African students itself

• ACCESS Kenya

  Partial scholarships for students to fund their studies at the undergraduate level at any accredited or esteemed university of Kenya.

• Mandela Rhodes Scholarships

  Scholarships for students with strong leadership skills. These programmes provide education for honours or master’s degrees from esteemed African recognized universities of South Africa.

• Jim Ovia Scholarship

  Scholarships for Nigerian students for undergraduate level.

• The Graduate Institute Geneva

  Aid to masters and PhD pursuing students. The prospects must be academically talented. The financial aid packages under these scholarships include cost-of-living, tuition fee reduction etc and other benefits.

• WAAW Foundation Scholarships

  The undergraduate program of subjects like science, technology, engineering and mathematics for African female students.

Scholarships for International Students

The details for such programmes will be completely shared by the school and universities admission cell. Some of the few are

• Amideast scholarships for Morocco and Egypt

  • The Foundation for Global Scholars offers such finances for students of U.S. and Canadian origin. An amount of $2,500 is provided.
  • For language students, The Global Studies Foundation offers various programmes.

• African Leadership University(Rwanda)

  For post-secondary students, the African Leadership University of Kigali, Rwanda identifies the 100 outstanding students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the various study programmes.

• African Leadership University (Rwanda or Mauritius)

  For Zambian nationals for undergraduate studies in STEM disciplines. Especially in the areas of Rwanda or Mauritius, these programmes cover full tuition fees.

• Ashesi University(Ghana) OR Covenant University (Nigeria)

  A partnership of the Jim Ovia Foundation and the Africa-America Institute. For high achievers with mal-resourced backgrounds like the exclusion of the ability to cover tuition, room etc.

• Landmark or Covenant University (Nigeria)

  Offered by David Oyedepo Foundation to study in Nigeria. Universities like Landmark and Covenant are included. The offers cover the

  • Full academic fees for 5-years
  • Travels
  • Living expenses

  The eligibility criteria are

  • Must be younger than 23 years old(at application process)
  • Secured admission to either university.
  • Must possess an internationally recognized high school diploma

In the previous works, the references are also used to judge an employee and thus make up a mind of whether they can be put to work or not.

The employment provided by the African countries is for all levels, graduates, post-graduates and professionals studies. Jobs for subjects like liberal arts, social sciences and other important subjects are widely accessed and available. The career one wishes to build is not the only option for the future, one can pursue it according to one’s interests and dreams throughout a lifetime. African-American Studies and education focus on skills of the same. Some facts about Africa’s job market are

• South Africa has a high unemployment rate, like the other developing countries, which is measured at 28.18% as per the stats of 2019.
• The World Bank states the country South Africa to be the lowest in terms of providing jobs in the sub-Saharan African region.
• To get work as an international student/migrant in South Africa needs specific skills is very difficult.

Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Graduates in South Africa

• Community Centre Manager
• Non-Profit organization
• Public Relations Consultant or Corporations
• International Trade Policy Officer
• Government administration
• Human Resources Associate
• Underwriter in Insurance
• Actuarial Science
• Data Analysts
• Social Policy Researcher
• Reporter/Broadcaster/Journalist
• International Development Researcher
• Foreign Service Officer
• Research Associate

• Marketing Agencies

  • Business Manager
  • Community Developer
  • Foreign Service Specialist
  • Historian
  • Journalist/Writer
  • Media Relations Consultant
  • Multicultural Consultant
  • Museum Curator/Director
  • News Analyst
  • Politician
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Worker
  • Teacher/Professor
  • Youth Pastor

Other key sectors in South Africa include

• Anheuser-Busch InBev (food and drink)
• Naspers (telecommunications)
• British American Tobacco (cigarettes)
• BHP Group (mining and metals)
• Glencore Plc (commodity trading and mining)
• Anglo American (mining)
• FirstRand (finance)
• Vodacom (telecommunications)