Stellenbosch University is committed to the use and sustained development of Afrikaans as an academic language in a multilingual context. Language is used at the University in a manner that is directed towards engagement with knowledge in a diverse society.

The University acknowledges the special status of Afrikaans as an academic language and accepts the responsibility to promote it. At the same time, it takes account of the status of English as an international language of communication and of isiXhosa as an emerging academic language. The official Language Policy and Plan of Stellenbosch University was approved by the Council of the University in 2002. The Language Policy and Plan has evolved over time and adjustments are made annually. For the full version as well as the latest remarks on the Language Policy and Plan, please visit the SU website.


What Postgraduate and International students should note about the Language Policy:

• For undergraduate degree programmes: Only specific programmes are presented in English. Prospective undergraduate students should therefore  have a working knowledge of Afrikaans.

• Where faculties implement parallel medium instruction (separate streams for Afrikaans and English), students in the English stream are expected to follow and pass an Afrikaans Language Acquisition course in the first year of study while students in the Afrikaans stream are expected to follow and pass an English Language Acquisition course in the first year of study, provided that their performance in the University Access Tests demonstrated that they required support in one or the other language.

• Where faculties implement parallel medium instruction (separate streams for Afrikaans and English), the expectation remains that instruction in the subsequent years of study could be according to A specification: Lectures mainly in Afrikaans; T specification (bilingual classes): At least 50% of lectures are presented in Afrikaans; or E specification: Lectures primarily in English.

• For postgraduate degree programmes: Most programmes are offered in English. See the next paragraph for English proficiency requirements.

• For study abroad: A wide variety of courses are available in English. Information is available from the PGIO.

• For research students: Language is not a significant factor since your programme is determined between you and your academic host.