Studying in Netherlands vs. South Africa
Netherlands 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 €1,730 in Netherlands and €588 in South Africa.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
South Africa
Cheaper monthly living
South Africa
Lower visa proof of funds
South Africa
Side-by-side comparison
Netherlands
South Africa
Currency
EUR (€)
ZAR (R)
Public tuition (annual)
€11,500
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€18,000
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,730 / mo
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€14,400
MVV proof of means (annual)
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
Cities tracked
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.