Attending high school in South Africa gives students the opportunity to study in English while discovering unique natural landscapes, a multicultural society and a long-established school tradition. South African high schools stand out for their boarding schools rooted in the British educational tradition, their spacious campuses, the importance they place on sport and extracurricular activities, and costs that are lower than in European countries.
Students from Turkey usually attend high school in South Africa through private boarding schools or private and public high schools that accept international students. South Africa is a strong option for families who want their children to study in English and reach an advanced level of English, but who are looking for an alternative to the UK or the USA.
Attending high school in South Africa offers students important academic and personal advantages.
South Africa is located at the southern tip of the African continent. Its executive capital is Pretoria, its legislative capital is Cape Town and its judicial capital is Bloemfontein. The largest city is Johannesburg. South Africa has twelve official languages, and English is widely used in education, business and daily life. The currency is the South African rand.
South Africa is known for its national parks, ocean coastlines, mountains and rich wildlife. Because it is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are the opposite of Turkey's. With a generally mild and sunny climate, the country offers students a suitable environment for outdoor activities all year round.
School education in South Africa lasts 12 years. High school consists of grades 10, 11 and 12 and usually covers students between the ages of 15 and 18. At some schools, grades 8 and 9 are also part of the high school.
High school ends with the National Senior Certificate, commonly known as "matric". Public schools take this exam through the national education authority, while many private schools take it through an independent examination board. Both certificates are valid for university admission in South Africa. In the final three years, students take compulsory subjects as well as electives according to their interests.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in South Africa are:
There are different programs for high school education in South Africa depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in South Africa vary depending on the school and program. Schools usually ask for report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references, a copy of the passport and documents showing the student's interests. Many schools also hold an English proficiency assessment, an entrance exam and an online interview.
For students coming from another country, the equivalent of their previous education in the South African system may need to be determined. In addition, minor students are expected to have a guardian in South Africa who will be responsible for them.
The school year in South Africa starts in January and ends in early December. The school year is divided into four terms with short breaks in between. The longest holiday falls in December and January, during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
For private and boarding schools, it is advisable to apply about a year before the school year starts. Boarding places at popular schools fill up early. Some schools may accept students at the start of each term. Since the calendar differs from the school calendar in Turkey, the grade and term the student will start in need to be planned carefully.
The city to choose for high school in South Africa depends on the type of school and the student's preferences. Many boarding schools are located outside large cities, on calm and safe campuses.
Some public schools in South Africa are tuition-free; however, these schools mainly serve students in low-income areas. Most of the public high schools chosen by international students charge school fees set by their school governing bodies.
For this reason, tuition-free high school education in South Africa is not a realistic option for students from Turkey. However, fees at both public and private high schools are more affordable than in many English-speaking countries. Some schools may offer scholarships based on academic, sporting or artistic achievement.
High school fees in South Africa vary widely depending on whether the school is public or private, its boarding facilities, the programs it offers and its location. Fee-paying public high schools are generally more affordable. Fees at private boarding schools and schools offering international programs are higher.
When planning your budget, you should account for boarding, uniforms, books, sports and cultural activities, school trips, health insurance valid in South Africa, visa costs, airfare and pocket money in addition to tuition.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner schools with you and work with you to choose the school that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in South Africa are:
Student safety is one of the most important criteria when choosing a school and accommodation in South Africa. Boarding school campuses are usually secure and controlled. A guardian who will be responsible for the student during school holidays and time off campus must be arranged in advance.
Turkish citizens need a study visa to attend high school in South Africa. Applications are made through South Africa's missions in Turkey or the authorized visa application center.
The application usually requires documents such as the school's letter of acceptance, proof of financial means, health insurance valid in South Africa, medical and radiology reports, a parental consent form, a birth certificate and documents on the guardian who will be responsible for the student in South Africa.
Since visa processing can take time and requires many documents, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of the visa process.
Students who complete part of their high school education in South Africa must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn a South African high school certificate, A-Levels or an IB diploma must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
Because the school year in South Africa starts in January, moving between grades on returning to Turkey needs careful planning. For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned must be documented, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with the Provincial Directorate of National Education before the program starts to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in South Africa and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, English level and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable school.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in South Africa together.
Most of the schools chosen by international students teach in English. There are also schools in the country that teach in Afrikaans.
The school year in South Africa starts in January and ends in early December. For this reason, the grade and term in which students from Turkey will start need to be planned carefully.
Most of the public high schools chosen by international students charge school fees, and private schools are fee-paying. However, fees are more affordable than in many English-speaking countries.
Boarding school campuses are usually secure and controlled, and students stay under the supervision of school staff. It is important to arrange a guardian in advance who will be responsible for the student during school holidays.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and use your diploma in Turkey, including for university applications.
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