Information Sheet for Freemover Students 2015
January – June 2015 / July – December 2015
This document provides prospective Freemover students (semester study abroad students) at Stellenbosch University with
important information regarding the application process as well as information on preparing for the semester.
The following points are discussed:
1) Applications
1.1 Procedure for Admission
2) Fees
3) Dates
4) Academic Information
4.1 South African Credit limit
4.2 Courses
4.2.1 IPSU Courses
4.2.2 Mainstream Courses
4.2.2.1 Language of Instruction
4.2.2.2 Lectures
4.3 Stellenbosch University Examination Policy
4.3.1 Exams
4.4 English proficiency
4.5 Intensive Afrikaans Language Course
5) Logistical Information
5.1 Airport Transfer
5.2 Accommodation
6) Welcome Orientation
1) Applications
All applicants must complete the Freemover application form for special students. Applications must include all supporting
documents as indicated on the application form.
The application deadline for local semester 1 (January - June) 2015 is 15 September 2014.
The application deadline for local semester 2 (July - December) 2015 is 15 March 2015.
1.1 Procedure for Admission
It will take at least 6 - 8 weeks as of the application deadline for a student to receive feedback on individual course approval.
The PGIO provides students with Letters of Admission no later than two and a half months after the official application deadline.
The Postgraduate & International Office (PGIO) ensures that a student number is created for each student at the central
admissions office and handles the applicant’s individual course applications. We kindly ask students not to contact the relevant
academic department(s) directly. Any inquiries regarding courses should be addressed to the PGIO. The PGIO sends through
course applications to academic departments, who in turn have a 14 day period to review a student’s individual course
application and to give feedback to the PGIO. Once feedback is received from the academic department, the PGIO informs
the student of the outcome of the application as per individual course. Should a student’s course application not be granted
approved, the student has the opportunity to hand in a ‘course resubmission’ form to the PGIO.
A student’s letter of admission is sent either directly to the student or to the provider company (in the case that the student has
applied via a provider). A student needs the admission letter to apply for a study permit at the nearest South African embassy
in the home country. No semester student abroad student is allowed to enter South Africa without a valid study permit.
Please note that it takes 4-8 weeks to obtain a study permit for South Africa. The correct visa type is the “study permit”.
Please note that an “exchange visa” is not the correct visa type. If a student receives an exchange permit, the student will not
be able to extend the permit or return to South Africa within 6 months of the end date of the permit.
2) Fees
Freemover semester student abroad tuition fee: R47 950 per semester
The Letter of Admission indicates the amount payable. It states the amount included in the full tuition fee which is available to
be utilized for services within the university (such as internet expenses) and provides banking details of Stellenbosch University
for payment purposes. Students are to provide proof of payment, in order to be registered. Students are requested to make
sure to use the reference provided as per the individual admission letter when making the payment.
The abovementioned fee includes course prices (up to 64 South African credits) and includes the International Registration
Fee of R6,070 and a Service Fee of R2,950. The service fee component can be utilized for printing, internet services, library
access, photocopying, the US gym, society memberships, sport clubs, lab fees, washing etc.
Please note: Should the expenditure on ‘consumerables’ exceed the Service Fee amount, the student is liable to pay the
outstanding fees before departure at the end of the semester. No academic transcripts will be issued in the case of money
owed to the University of Stellenbosch. Fees for International Students are payable per semester and are non-refundable.
3) Dates
First Semester
International Student Orientation
20 January-22 January
Start of first term (start of classes for all students)
End of classes for first term
Start of second term
Recess
End of classes for second term (first semester)
June examinations- 1st round starts
June examinations- 1st round ends
June examinations- 2nd round starts
June examinations- 2nd round ends
First semester ends
Monday 2 February
Friday 13 March
Monday 16 March
3 April – 12 April
Friday 15 May
Tuesday 19 May
Monday 8 June
Tuesday 9 June
Friday 26 June
Friday 26 June
Second Semester
Latest arrival
International Student Orientation
Start of third term
End of classes for third term
Recess
Start of fourth term
13 July 2015
14 - 16 July 2015
Monday 20 July
Friday 4 September
5 September – 13 September
Monday 14 September
End of classes for fourth term (second semester)
Friday 23 October
November examinations- 1st round starts
Tuesday 27 October
November examinations- 1st round ends
Wednesday 18 November
November examinations- 2nd round starts
Thursday 19 November
November examinations- 2nd round ends
Second semester ends .
Saturday 5 December
Friday 11 December
Please take note of these dates when planning a study abroad semester and specifically with regards to buying a return ticket
to South Africa. Students are advised to book the return date to home country no earlier than the end of the second exam
opportunity. Please schedule holidays, visits by family and friends for the mid-term break or after the end of the semester.
Students are obliged to arrive in time for the compulsory international student orientation, no exceptions can be made.
International student orientation takes place two weeks in advance to the start of class for semester one, and one week in
advance to the start of class for semester two.
The last date for the arrival at Stellenbosch University for semester one, i.e. January to June 2015 is 19 January 2015.
Orientation dates for July to December semester is usually one week prior to the start of the semester. The dates for the July
to December semester’s orientation will be confirmed at a later date.
No late arrivals will be allowed to register. Should a student’s home university exam timetable clash with the start of the
semester date, the PGIO is willing to arrange (with the consent of the student’s home university) to write the exams at
Stellenbosch University. The PGIO is willing to assist in providing exam supervision, send back the written exams by email
(electronically) and registered post (hard copy).
4) Academic Information
Please ensure that you list your choice of courses clearly on your application form. You can list more courses than you need
credit for but please make sure that you indicate how many credits you need and also which courses you have to take because
of course/programme requirement, preapproval by your home university or other relevant reasons.
A Freemover student will not be able to register for courses which were not pre-approved. A Freemover can eventually register
for fewer courses than pre-approved for.
Please do not contact departments directly. All enquiries and concerns regarding courses should be sent to the coordinator at
the PGIO who in turn liaises with the relevant departments.
4.1 South African Credit Limit
Freemovers are limited to taking 64 South African credits per semester only (*equal to 32 ECTS or 16 USA credits). You are
allowed to apply for an amount of courses which exceed the credit limit, however, you may finally register for subjects to the
limit of 64 South African credits or below only. You will be given a period of one week to attend class and then decide whether
you want to enroll for the course. The final course registration confirmation by the student would have to be handed in on the
Friday of the first week of class. Once the form has been handed in, no alterations may be made.
60 SA credits = 30 ECTS = 15 USA credits
4. 2 Courses
4.2.1
IPSU Courses
IPSU courses (International Programmes Stellenbosch University) have been created for international students apart from the
mainstream course offerings. All IPSU courses are offered in English only. Students may apply and enroll for both IPSU and/or
mainstream courses. (See the “course offering” below for more information on the mainstream course selection.)
The IPSU booklet is available online:
http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/prospective-students/non-degree-seeking---short-term-students-1/i-want-to-enrol-at-su1/freemovers/course-information-general-1.html
4.2.2
Mainstream Courses
The PGIO recommends students to search for appropriate mainstream courses in the summary document “mainstream course
offerings in English” to be downloaded here: http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/prospective-students/non-degree-seeking--short-term-students-1/i-want-to-enrol-at-su-1/freemovers/course-information-general-1.html This document is a summary of all
undergraduate courses on offer within the mainstream, presented in English, clearly set up in columns to indicate semester
one and semester two offerings separately.
All information regarding mainstream courses are available on the university website too. Follow the A-Z link to the relevant
department. Students may also access the online yearbook, which contains all subjects offered throughout the whole university
at http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/Pages/Calendar.aspx
4.2.2.1 Language of Instruction
Mainstream courses are offered in English (E), Afrikaans (A) or the T-option (T) - a combination of English and Afrikaans in
the same class with notes and exam papers available in English. The language of instruction is indicated in the online yearbook
and also indicated on the relevant department’s website.
4.2.2.2 Lectures
The meaning of the codes (1.5L, 2T, 1S) listed after each subject name in the yearbook means “1 and a half lectures per week,
2 tutorial classes per week, 1 seminar per week”.
4.3 Stellenbosch University Examination Policy
For admission to the exam, a student should have obtained a class mark of at least 40 percent per subject during the semester.
There are two exam opportunities for each subject. A student can choose to write either the first or the second exam
opportunity. A student, who writes the first exam opportunity and does not pass with 50 percent, will have admission to the
second exam opportunity if a minimum of 40 percent was achieved in the first exam opportunity. A student who only writes
the second exam opportunity and achieves a mark below 50 percent fails the module and has no chance to rewrite it. For
more information about the exam policy consult the yearbook at http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/Pages/Calendar.aspx.
The information about examinations is in the general yearbook of the University of Stellenbosch.
4.3.1
Exams
You will note that there is a first and second exam opportunity when viewing the term dates. Every student has the right to
choose whether they want to write the first or the second opportunity. Should the student write the second exam opportunity
and fail, there is no second chance to rewrite the exam. Should a student write a first opportunity exam and fail, the student
is permitted to rewrite the exam, given that the failure mark is 40% or higher.
The exam timetable is set and no alterations could be requested by students, neither individually nor as a group. Exam dates
and venues can be found on the www.mymaties.com, by logging in with your student number and user name (which you will
obtain on the last day of orientation week), and clicking on the link: “Studies”. The link: “Exam & Test Information” can then
be accessed.
4.4 English Proficiency Test
The English Proficiency Test is not compulsory. You can however take an additional English Course (English for Academic
Purposes) or write the English Proficiency Test as a self-assessment. The course fees for these language courses will be for
your own account and is not included in tuition fees.
4.5
Intensive Afrikaans Language Course
The Language Centre in conjunction with the Postgraduate & International Office offers an Intensive Afrikaans Course for
Beginners. A two week intensive language programme to take place two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Enquiries
regarding this course can be addressed to Ms Elize Lizamore (ael1@sun.ac.za).
5) Logistical Information
5.1 Airport Transfers
The Postgraduate & International Office will collect every student on their arrival at the airport provided that we receive your
Flight Arrival Sheet at least 14 days prior to your arrival. All Flight Arrival Sheets should be E-mailed to Ms Georgina Humphreys
(gina@sun.ac.za) or filled in online at http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/accommodation-and-arrival/arrival-sheet
Georgina will confirm receipt of your Flight Arrival Sheet via E-mail. The closest airport to Stellenbosch is Cape Town
International Airport.
5.2 Accommodation
It is the responsibility of the student to apply for university accommodation as soon as possible. Students are able to book
housing as soon as the Freemover application has been received by the PGIO, even without a student number available at
Stellenbosch University. It is recommended that students reserve accommodation and cancel it once you have found private
accommodation rather than not reserving accommodation at all and as a result not having a place to stay on arrival.
Housing application procedures are as follows. Students may book housing immediately upon applying. A housing booking
does not serve as binding contract. A booking serves as a reservation for a room for the student who has booked the room.
Students are requested to sign housing contracts a month and a half after the Freemover application deadline. Students who
do not sign at this contract deadline is informed that their housing booking is moved down to the waiting list, and provided a
new dealine of 3 weeks after the contract signing deadline.
All housing enquiries should be sent to Mr Grant Leukes (interhouse@sun.ac.za). For more information on accommodation,
please view the website at: http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/accommodation-and-arrival/accommodation
6. Welcome Orientation
The International Student orientation is compulsory for all international students.
The last date for the arrival at Stellenbosch University for semester one, i.e. January to June 2015 is 19 January 2015.
Orientation dates for the January to June semester are usually two weeks prior to the start of the semester. For 2015 the
welcome and orientation dates are the 20th to the 22nd of January.
Orientation dates for the July to December semester is usually one week prior to the start of the semester. The dates for the
welcome and orientation for the July to December semester will be confirmed at a later date.
A Welcome Centre will be set up at the Wilcocks Building from the Thursday before the week of orientation, where students
need to report upon arrival and hand in the following documents: a copy of the passport, a copy of the visa, proof of health
insurance valid within South Africa and proof of payment for the semester. Copy machines will be available, and free WIFI
internet will be available at the welcome center for the full duration of the orientation, for students to contact their folks upon
arrival in South Africa.
Orientation information will be available on the PGIO website closer to the time at the following link:
http://www0.sun.ac.za/international/prospective-students/non-degree-seeking---short-term-students-1/i-have-applied--i-havebeen-accepted-1/welcome-and-orientation-schedules-2.html
Venue is to be confirmed at the online link provided. Only students who attend the orientation will be registered for the semester
/ year. No exceptions will be made. For updates on the orientation programme, please visit.
Enquiries regarding orientation can be addressed to Mr Angelo Jephta at acj@sun.ac.za