This year, the QS Best Student Cities survey rated Johannesburg as 84th in the top 100 cities to study in.
Johannesburg won its place based on its high score for affordability due to fairly low tuition fees and living costs.
QS is an online network that links graduate, MBA and executive communities around the world with leading business schools and postgraduate departments at universities, as well as with employers.
QS organises some of the largest business education events in the world including the QS World MBA Tour, the QS World Executive MBA Tour and the QS World Grad School. The Student View indicator is based on the survey responses of 18 000 students worldwide. Students were asked which city they would most like to study in, their experience studying in a particular city, and their intention to remain after course completion. Various cities were ranked according to their performance in six areas – desirability, rankings, student mix, employer activity, affordability, and student view.
Johannesburg may not always be students’ first choice when it comes to tertiary education, but here are some reasons why many are enjoying the City of Gold:
- Johannesburg is one of the world’s most affordable cities for students, which echoes its status as one of Africa’s most affordable major cities and 11th in the world.
- Johannesburg has a vibrant social life that offers anything from sophisticated bars, shebeens, and clubs to relaxed markets, coffee shops and outdoor spots.
- Johannesburg boasts a large cultural mix in venues including China Town, the Oriental Plaza, mosques, churches, temples and shuls.
- In close proximity to the green city, with its six million trees, you will find the Hartebeespoort Dam, Magaliesburg Mountains, the Lion Park, the Cradle of Humankind – a Unesco World Heritage site – and botanical gardens.
- Jozi offers a strong support culture for foreign students and expatriates. One such tertiary institution is Monash South Africa, boasting over 60 nationalities on their campus with support and assistance for those new to South Africa.
- The CBD of our city has been at the centre of a massive regeneration of strong African pride, fascinating gathering spaces developed with history and distinctive features, great for exploring with friends.
- As a city at the heart of African business and studying, the City of Gold allows people to network with an array of important people and get relevant job training, as well as provide great internship prospects.
- Some of the largest malls in Africa, offering various brands from high-end luxury to reasonably affordable, are located in Jozi.
- Although Johannesburg has limited public transport, the system is growing with the Gautrain, bike paths, Metro buses and Uber, making it easier for students to get around and explore what the City of Gold has to offer.
Details: www.topuniversities.com/about-qs
If you know of any great places to visit in Johannesburg that make you proud to be South African, let us know by emailing the Rosebank Killaney Gazette at rkg@caxton.co.za
