Studying in South Africa vs. South Korea
South Africa and South Korea 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 €588 in South Africa and €714 in South Korea.
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
South Africa
South Korea
Currency
ZAR (R)
KRW (₩)
Public tuition (annual)
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
₩8,000,000
≈ €5,360 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
₩12,000,000
≈ €8,040 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
₩1,066,250 / mo
≈ €714 / mo
Visa proof of funds
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
₩13,000,000
Bank balance proof (D-2 visa)
Cities tracked
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.