Studying in South Africa vs. Turkey
South Africa and Turkey 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 €500 in Turkey.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Turkey
Cheaper monthly living
Turkey
Lower visa proof of funds
Turkey
Side-by-side comparison
South Africa
Turkey
Currency
ZAR (R)
TRY (₺)
Public tuition (annual)
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
₺15,000
≈ €390 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
₺200,000
≈ €5,200 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
₺19,225 / mo
≈ €500 / mo
Visa proof of funds
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
₺200,000
Proof of funds (annual)
Cities tracked
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.