UL International Office

UL International Office, The Office of International Affairs’s (OIA), core business is to facilitate and promote all facets of internationalisation at University of Limpopo. It aims to be the first port of call for all international students, and provides a wide-range of services. These services include: Providing pre-departure information and advice about UL and Limpopo to students before their arrival in Mankweng, Polokwane, assistance with accommodation, renewing your visa and general advice about your stay at UL.

To this extent we seek to complement the services provided by other faculties and departments and have strong relations with service providers within and outside UL.
The role of the OIA is to lead the development of internationalisation at UL by acting as the central coordinator and facilitator of all internationally related initiatives and activities. OIA is also UL’s organisational structure mandated to develop and implement its policy on internationalisation by:

• Ensuring that internationalisation activities contribute to as many as possible of the university’s policy objectives and by so doing, support the core business of teaching, learning and research at UL.
• Growing UL’s global profile as a research-led, international, African university.
• Generating opportunities for improving its position as a world-class African university.
• Developing and promoting the concept of “internationalisation at home” and ensuring that the entire UL community benefits from the growing internationalisation of UL.
• Seeking, supporting and facilitating opportunities for UL staff and students to experience academic life at international partner universities through mobility exchanges.
• Manages the University Partnerships Programme and other collaborative programmes in Africa and the rest of the world.
• Houses resource information on linkages between UL and other African academics.
• Runs summer schools
• Runs an Outward Exchanges programme for UL students to travel and study abroad at partner institutions.
• Maintains a database of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.
• Runs an annual international student pre-registration service.
• Assists students with immigration issues.
• Liaises with the Department of Home Affairs Department, SAPS regarding immigration legislation and compliance.
• Maintains links with embassies and donor organizations that fund international students.
• Actively participates and is a member to local and international professional bodies on international education e.g. International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs: Association of International Educators (NAFSA), the European Association for International Education (EAIE).
• Ensures participation and representation on appropriate UL committees dealing with international students.
• Liaises with the international offices of other tertiary institutions in South Africa.

The office also works closely with other support service departments across our institution to ensure that international students, students on exchange programmes, visiting academics and international guests are offered excellent services
Our roles and duties include but not limited to the following:

• Units of our Department
  • International scholarships and research funding
• Initiate and coordinate scholarships programmes for both staff and students of the University e.g Fulbright, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships etc.
  • International collaborations and partnerships
• Initiate, co-ordinate and manage international collaborations and partnerships.
  • International exchange programmes for staff and students of the University
• Initiate, facilitate and manages opportunities for UL staff and students to participate in exchange programmes with our partner Universities abroad. Facilitate (academic) visits by Foreign Governments Officials and other staff into and out of the University of Limpopo. We also receive and entertain international scholars and guests.
  • International relations
• We manage the relations between the University and its internal and external partners. Liaise with international relations divisions of government departments, embassies, International organizations and related institutions on all matters pertaining to International relations on behalf of the University.
  • International students

We coordinate and manage the recruitment, admission, registration and accommodation of international students. We advise and assist with the study visa application processes. The office also plans an orientation and other functions for international students.

International Student Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements 

To be considered for Undergraduate admission, international applicants must qualify for a Matriculation Exemption from the South African Matriculation Board, they must meet the Univesity of Limpopos’ language requirements, and they must meet the minimum Faculty entry requirements as indicated.  The medium of instruction and examination at UL is English. 

N.B: A non-refundable application fee of R345-00 must be paid at Standard bank.

1.1 Minimum requirements

The minimum requirement for admission is a Matriculation Exemption or completion of O and A level examinations. If you only have the O level or IGCSE examinations, you will not be eligible for a Matriculation Exemption; you should complete the first year of study at your home University before applying to the University of Limpopo. Upon completion of first year of study, you can then apply for foreign conditional exemption from the Matriculation Board/ Higher Education South Africa (HESA). For students who have matriculated or acquired their degree (s) outside South Africa, you are required to have the evaluation certificate before applying to study with the University of Limpopo. Those who intend to enrol for undergraduate degrees, they are required to first apply for the evaluation certificate from HESA, and those who intend to enrol for postgraduate degrees, they are required to first apply for the evaluation certificate from SAQA (South African Qualification Authority). 

*NB. Before registration (or renewal of registration) all International Students must provide proof of VALID STUDY VISA and VALID MEDICAL AID COVER 

Full details of matriculation regulations are given on the Matriculation Board website: [email protected]  or [email protected]

1.2 First time application for a study permit: requirements

• Department of Home Affairs application form (BI-1738)
• Valid passport which must be valid for atleast 30 days after the end of your proposed stay in South Africa, Otherwise your permit will only be granted for the period up to 30 days before the expiry date. It should also have atleast one unused page left when arriving in South Africa.
• Application fee for the permit. This is non-refundable even if your permit is refused.
• An official letter from UL confirming provisional acceptance and the duration of the Course. This is a letter from the relevant Faculty offering a study place, together with proof of your acceptance of the offer.
• Medical and radiological reports *(less than months old)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate if relevant
• Relevant certificate if married, widowed, divorced or separated
• Proof of medical insurance cover registered and/ or recognised in South Africa
• Details regarding arranged accommodation, if any
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, maintenance and incidental costs
• A police clearance certificate (less than 6 months old)
• A deposit (a cash amount not exceeding the cost of a single ticket to the applicants’ country of origin.) Students from other African countries are not required to pay this deposit provided that the government of their country submits a written statement undertaking to pay all costs relating to deportation of the student should it become necessary.

*Please note that the documents must be originals or certified copies
Student Support Services