Study at one of the highest ranked universities in Africa, an institution focused on student, faculty, and staff diversity and inclusivity, and on developing a multicultural campus culture.
Enroll in courses in a variety of disciplines taught in English—from the required South Africa history and culture course, to local and indigenous languages, sciences, liberal arts, mathematics, social sciences, and more.
Immerse yourself in the local culture by participating in the Voluntarism and Community Engagement (VCE) program, by signing up for a Matie Buddy (an experienced Stellenbosch student who can help you adjust to life in South Africa), or by joining the International Student Organization (ISOS) and going on club organized events such as mountain climbing excursions, theatre visits, summer concerts, and trips to culturally important destinations like Robben Island.
Live in the mountains of South Africa’s beautiful Western Cape Province, in a small, historic town only 45 minutes from Cape Town.

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Quick Details

Available Terms

Summer session
Fall or Spring semester
Yearlong

Programs Of Study
Undergraduate coursework offered in a variety of disciplines

Language of Instruction
English

USAC is a non-profit organization that offers programs in 28 countries, with many locations unique for study abroad. Discover where you'll study abroad at usac.edu.

To apply to this program, you must complete two main steps:

Submit a UMD approval application - start by clicking “apply now” at the top of this page. This application allows UMD Education Abroad to approve your study abroad program selection so you may earn credit in a program outside of UMD.
This application will require you to meet with your EA advisor, who will communicate important details related to participating in this program. If you do not complete this application by the stated deadline, you may not receive credit for your study abroad program and will lose your student status for the time you are not studying at UMD.
Apply directly to the program provider. After receiving UMD approval, you should submit the program application directly to the program sponsor by their deadline. Your program sponsor will determine your official acceptance to a program. You must adhere to the provider's timeline, eligibility standards, and application requirements.

After being accepted to your program, your EA advisor will guide you through the course pre-approval process where you will determine which credits you will fulfill abroad.

UMD partners with USAC to offer affiliate program options to UMD students across the globe. While you will maintain your UMD student status while you are away, you will work directly with USAC program staff as a participant on their program. Your EA advisor, listed above, will assist you with this process and can answer your questions about the application process.

Academics on a USAC program
Many USAC courses have been evaluated by UMD academic departments and are awarded resident credit. You can view the list of USAC courses with UMD course approvals.

Courses not on this list may be considered for transfer credit. Field studies, internships, and other experiential courses require explicit approval by exception from your academic advisor or college advising office for credit transfer. Study tours and classes offered on a pass/fail basis are not transferrable.

You will be required to order a transcript from your USAC sponsoring institution and have it sent to Education Abroad in order for your transfer credits to be evaluated and applied to your UMD degree. Information on this process will be available for you in your USAC Gateway Account under “Credit Transfer Instructions.” If enrolled in only courses approved as resident credit, an official transcript is not required.

Costs & Billing for a USAC program
The affiliate program costs apply to this program. More details about the specific fees for this program are available on the USAC program page.

As part of your program application to USAC, you will pay the $300 application/deposit fee to USAC directly. The remaining USAC program fees will be charged to your UMD student account. You will be able to use any financial aid you from UMD towards these charges.

Housing (if not included in program fee) and extra charges such as homestay meal supplement or costs for activities will be paid directly to USAC.

Scholarships for this program are available through the UMD Education Abroad Fund.

Program Dates

Term	Year	Application Deadline	Admission Notification	Program Start	Program End
Fall	2023	03/15/2023	01/20/2023
Spring	2024	10/15/2023	06/01/2023