Studying in South Africa vs. United Kingdom
South Africa and United Kingdom 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 €1,836 in United Kingdom.
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
United Kingdom
Currency
ZAR (R)
GBP (£)
Public tuition (annual)
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
£22,000
≈ €25,740 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
£38,000
≈ €44,460 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
£1,569 / mo
≈ €1,836 / mo
Visa proof of funds
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
£12,006
UKVI maintenance (outside London)
Cities tracked
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.