Academic Focus
This program offers full immersion in the South African education system at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), a leading South African university with a broad vision of internationalization. NMMU is accredited by the South African Higher Education Quality Council and is one of the leading institutions in South Africa's government-mandated restructuring of higher education.
Your classes will be held at NMMU’s progressive Summerstrand Campus located in the higher-end Summerstrand suburb of Port Elizabeth. Summerstrand Campus is actually divided into three campuses - North and South campus that are within walking distance from each other and the Second Avenue Campus that is accessible via a school-run shuttle. Coursework at the Summerstrand campus focuses on Business, Health Sciences, Science, Education, Law, Liberal Arts and Arts. You will study side-by-side with host nationals as well as international students from other African nations, Europe, and the U.S.
You will be able to choose your courses from a wide range of electives in an even wider range of subject areas, thereby earning credit toward your major or general education requirements. Areas of study that international students at NMMU have found most attractive are: South African Politics, South African Culture, Business & Economics, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, History, Journalism, Marine Studies, and Public Health - to name just a few.
The course structure at NMMU is unique in that it allows students to take courses on a semester and/or block schedule. The semester schedule is standard and similar to that of most universities in the US. The block schedule is exclusive to NMMU. NMMU has divided each semester into two blocks or terms. Block length courses entail fewer contact hours and credits than semester courses, but allow for greater variety in scheduling. Students generally take a mix of semester and block courses to balance out the work required during the semester. You will know if your course is a semester or block course when you make your course selections.
As a CEA student at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University you will take between 4 and 8 electives per semester session. The South African higher education system does not translate class contact hours to credits in the same way that the American system does. 1 US credit is equivalent to 4 NMMU credits. Courses offered at NMMU typically range from 4 NMMU credits to 12 NMMU credits. You will select between 48 and 60 NMMU credits worth of coursework which will be anywhere from 4 to 8 electives. This equates to 12 – 15 credits within the US semester system. However, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how many credits will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
Due to the differences in the South African higher education system, there is no standard for the number of days a week a course may meet. Class meeting times vary across departments and subject areas. Expect the number of times you meet with your class to be different than what you are used to at your home institution.
Course Registration
You will be required to submit your course selections to the CEA headquarter office prior to departure for South Africa. This will allow you to be pre-approved by the departments and/or lecturers for entry into your chosen courses. We strongly encourage you to take care in choosing your courses as if you decide to make changes upon arrival, you must complete this approval process on your own.
The registration process at NMMU is such that you will go through a pre-registration process during orientation week and your final course registration will take place during the first week of classes when you will have a chance to add or drop. While in Port Elizabeth, you must enroll in a minimum of 48 NMMU credits, but no more than 60 credits per semester (typically 4 to 8 courses). There are no required courses. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.
To learn more about course requirements for your particular session as well as information regarding your host institution, you may click on the appropriate links above.
