Studying in India vs. South Africa
India and South Africa are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €358 in India and €588 in South Africa.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
India
Cheaper monthly living
India
Lower visa proof of funds
India
Side-by-side comparison
India
South Africa
Currency
INR (₹)
ZAR (R)
Public tuition (annual)
₹200,000
≈ €2,200 / yr
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
₹800,000
≈ €8,800 / yr
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
₹32,550 / mo
≈ €358 / mo
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
Visa proof of funds
₹450,000
Proof of funds for the student visa (≈ ₹37,500/month)
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
Cities tracked
Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.