Universities

1. Universities and Colleges in Cape Town and the Western Cape

Cape Town has 4 excellent universities, all known by their quality of education and by the great number of people educated in these institutions. These institutions are:
  • University of Cape Town (UCT) which is the oldest university in the country. It is often consider by people as the best university in South Africa. The institution offers a panel of formations in many fields attractive to prospective Gabonese students but especially its graduate school of business that is one of the 100 best in the world.
  • University of Stellenbosch one of the most prestigious institutions of the continent. Undergraduate studies are taught in Afrikaans so it is required that the candidate should show a relevant proof of proficiency in that language unless he applies for postgraduate studies.
  • University of the Western Cape (UWC)  which has an important number of international students. The institution awarded the Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the title of Doctoris Honoris Causa. The university has one of the best law faculty in South Africa.
  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is an institution that combines theoretical and practical method of teaching. It is seen as the best university of technology in South Africa.
All these institutions are according to a recent report published on Internet among the seven best universities in the continent.

For more information you can go to the websites of each of these institutions:
Besides these institutions, there also are a number of colleges that offer various formations. For example: Cape College and Varsity College.

For more information about these colleges go to

2. Tertiary education in South Africa

There are three types of tertiary education in South Africa:
  • Universities
  • Universities of Technology
  • Colleges
Each differs by the methods of teaching applied and the admission criteria in used.

2.a Universities

The SOUTH AFRICAN VICE CHANCELLORS ASSOCIATION (SAUVCA) controls universities in South Africa. There are 4 university’s degrees:
  • The Bachelor degree that is obtained after the first three years of studies.
  • The Honours degree that is obtained after 4 years of studies.
  • The Master degree that is obtained after 5 years of studies.
  • The PhD that is obtained after seven years of studies.
NB: However, it should be understood that the length of masters and PhDs degrees depends either on the institution and the course.
The admission for a first year undergraduate studies in any South African university for international students is subjected to qualification to the certificate of foreign exemption delivered by the SAUVCA. Admission criteria change from country to country. Gabonese students should meet the pre-requisites conditions:
  • Have had 60% at the Baccalaureate.
  • Have completed a first year university in UOBO.
  • However candidates with at least 23 years old should apply for mature age exemption. In this case they would be exempted of the above conditions.
NB: Admission to undergraduate studies (from Honours) is subjected to other criteria.
For more details on the certificate of exemption go to

2.b Universities of Technology

Universities of Technology, known for a long time as technikons are technical institutions where there is a part of theory and practice. They are managed by the COMMITTEE OF TECHNIKONS PRINCIPALS (CTP).
The basic admission requirement is a South African Senior certificate which is similar to the Gabonese Baccalaureate. However, this certificate doesn’t give you access to universities, only to universities of technology.
Once arrived, international students should apply for the SAQA for evaluation of their former qualifications. Those who hold a Gabonese baccalaureate will be awarded the South African Senior Certificate that should give them a comfortable entry to a University of Technology.
For more information go to:

2.c Colleges

Colleges are higher private institutions that offer practical formations in various fields. Prospective students should find out which courses are offered before applying to any of them.
Generally, colleges don’t offer degrees but certificates. The entry requirements depend on the colleges to which you apply (resume).

2.d Feed Back

The entry requirements for Gabonese students vary according to the type of institution they apply for:
  • Universities require a baccalaureate obtained with at least 60 %, plus completion of the first year university in Gabon. However candidates who are at least 23 years will be exempted of the above requirements, and will apply for a certificate of mature age exemption.
  • Universities of Technology require a baccalaureate.
  • Colleges require a baccalaureate or sometimes, they can just require your high school final results.

3. How to choose your course

South African institutions offer a complete panel of formations from management sciences to military logistic. The candidate will choose the course he wants to apply for. However, it is important to ask for help when filling your application form because some departments are nor, or are seldom accessible to international students. For example, medical sciences, engineering, economy and law are particularly difficult to access.
NB: We advice all the candidates to get more information about the department they want to apply for prior filling the application form.

4. The cost of studies

The cost of studies varies a lot by institutions and particularly from universities to Technikons. Generally colleges are the least expensive type of institution even though, some of them practice the same prices as universities. Colleges can cost R 10000 (1000000 CFA) a year while universities will cost approximately the double. Price can also vary within an institution depending on the course.