Located in northeastern South Africa, the modern city of Johannesburg – Jo’burg for short – is South Africa’s largest city, home to over 3.8 million people. Johannesburg’s entire metropolitan area, however, holds 7.2 million people. In addition to being South Africa’s hub of finance, commercial enterprise, and mining, Johannesburg also has a well-developed higher education system, drawing students from worldwide to study abroad. 

There are a number of outstanding public and private universities in Johannesburg where students, both domestic and international, can receive a high-quality education. Universities are located across Johannesburg, and strive to achieve the highest academic standards. Education courses at most schools in Johannesburg are offered both in English and Afrikaans as well as other official languages of South Africa. There are also teacher-training schools in Johannesburg and a technical college.

Johannesburg land was originally inhabited pre-13th century by San tribes. Later, Bantu-speaking people from the north moved in, and by the 18th century, the area was a mix of ethnicities. As a result of the Gold Rush, Johannesburg was established in 1886, and became a dusty, rough town which drew wealth-seekers from all over the world.

Today, Johannesburg is a prosperous city, and the capital of South Africa’s wealthiest province, Gauteng. Johannesburg is the world’s largest city not located on a coastline, river, or lake; it is situated on South Africa’s eastern plateau area Highveld along the Witwatersrand hills (hence its large diamond- and gold-mining industries). Students who study in Johannesburg enjoy the millions of trees that have been planted throughout the city, making it the largest man-made forest – and one of the greenest cities – in the world.

Johannesburg has an extensive portfolio of public art, on display in the city’s many art galleries and museums. These, as well as the numerous libraries, provide students who study at universities in Johannesburg with a plethora of academic resources. Johannesburg’s sunny, mild subtropical highland climate allows students to enjoy the outdoors while taking advantage of the excellent universities in Johannesburg.

South Africa Study Guide Home

Education in South Africa:

South Africa's Education System
South Africa's Education Institutes
South Africa's Education Course Types

Practicalities when you study in South Africa:

Study Costs & Accommodation in South Africa
Language & Student Life in South Africa
Study & Work Permits in South Africa

City Guides in South Africa:

City Guide: Study in Cape Town
City Guide: Study in Johannesburg
City Guide: Study in Port Elizabeth
City Guide: Study in Pretoria

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