Stellenbosch Academic Institution

Accreditation

Stellenbosch University is accredited by the South African Council of Higher Education.

Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University is one of South Africa’s oldest universities. The history of the University dates back to the opening of Stellenbosch Gymnasium in 1866 which became Stellenbosch College in 1881 and underwent another name change to Victoria College in 1887, the jubilee year of Queen Victoria’s reign. With the financial assistance of its main benefactor Mr. Jan Marais, whose statue is prominently displayed in the center of campus, Victoria College acquired university status in 1918 and became Stellenbosch University.

Today, Stellenbosch University is internationally recognized with about 118 departments in 10 faculties and more than 40 research and other institutes. The University has many contacts with academic establishments abroad and actively encourages new international linkages to create exchange possibilities for staff members as well as students.

While most institutions of higher education in South Africa have always been teaching in English or have changed over time to an English-only policy, Stellenbosch University is a predominantly Afrikaans-medium university with most coursework at the undergraduate level taking place in Afrikaans. The language policy continues to be an ongoing discussion for the University, as it is one of the very few tertiary institutions left in South Africa providing instruction in Afrikaans. Because of this, it is held in very high regard by the Afrikaner community while considered elitist by others. Regardless of its language policy however both English and Afrikaans are widely heard on the university’s beautiful campus.

At present, Stellenbosch University has more than 24,000 students enrolled on four campuses: Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Bellville Park and Saldanha. The Stellenbosch campus – with its more than 18,000 students – lies at the core of the bustling town of Stellenbosch. The Langenhoven Student Center or the Neelsie as it is better known, libraries, lecture halls, labs, concert halls, art treasures, sport fields and a multitude of restaurants, coffee shops and pubs create the backdrop for study, work and recreation at Stellenbosch University and in the town of Stellenbosch.

Classroom Information

• Faculty from Stellenbosch University will teach your courses.
• Periodic exams, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
• Assessment is based on participation, exams and both individual and group projects.
• Attendance in all classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
• Teaching styles in South Africa can be very different from those found in the US or Canada. Be prepared to adapt to the different classroom structures and coursework expectations for your school.
• Class size ranges between 15 and 75 students, depending on whether the class is a lecture or seminar. For most courses you will be in class with CEA participants, and international students from Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA. In a few select courses you will also be in class with host nationals.

Grading

Testing of knowledge in most subjects taught at Stellenbosch University is similar to the United States, relying on continuous evaluation with regular assignments, presentations, mid-terms and a final exam.

All final course grades will be reported in the form of a numerical grade and pass or fail evaluation. The following numerical grades (listed with their general letter grade equivalencies) will be used:

Numerical Grade	Letter Grade Equivalency
80 - 100	A
75 - 79	A-
72 - 74	B+
68 - 71	B
65 - 67	B-
62 - 64	C+
58 - 61	C
55 - 57	C-
50 - 54	D
49 and Below	F

Please note that this grading scale is recommended, but final credit and grade evaluation is ultimately determined by a student's home university.