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Study Social Sciences in South Africa 🇿🇦

South Africa offers 85 Social Sciences programs across 26 universities. Tuition ranges from $36k–$36k/yr, making it a competitive option for international students.

85 Programs
26 Universities
$36k–$36k/yr Tuition
11% Scholarships

Why South Africa for Social Sciences?

Living Cost

$6,000/yr

Full guide to studying in South Africa →

By Degree Level

Bachelor (53) Master (22) PhD (9) Certificate (1)

Top Universities for Social Sciences in South Africa

University of Cape Town

Cape Town · National rank #1 · QS #150

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations · Bachelor
Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch · National rank #2 · QS #302

BA in International Studies · Bachelor
University of the Witwatersrand

Johannesburg · National rank #2 · QS #291

Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Bachelor of Arts in International Relations · Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor
University of Pretoria

Pretoria · National rank #3 · QS #362

PhD in Political Sciences · PhD PhD in Psychology · PhD
University of Johannesburg

Johannesburg · National rank #3 · QS #308

PhD in Sociology · PhD Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in International Relations · Bachelor
University of KwaZulu-Natal

Durban · National rank #4 · QS #558

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) · Bachelor Master of Social Science (Criminology) · Master Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology) · Bachelor Master of Public Administration (MPA) · Master
MANCOSA

Durban · National rank #4

Bachelor of Public Administration · Bachelor Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration · Master Master of Public Administration · Master
Walter Sisulu University

Mthatha · National rank #5

Bachelor of Social Sciences · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Work (Allied Health Professions) · Bachelor
University of South Africa (UNISA)

Pretoria · National rank #7 · QS #851

Master of Arts in Criminology · Master Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration · PhD Bachelor of Social Work · Bachelor
University of the Free State

Bloemfontein · National rank #8 · QS #1001

Social Work · Bachelor
Nelson Mandela University

Port Elizabeth · National rank #9

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Master of Public Administration (MPA) · Master
University of the Western Cape

Cape Town · National rank #10 · QS #951

Doctor of Philosophy Psychology · PhD Doctor of Philosophy Social Work · PhD Master of Arts (Psychology) · Master
Rhodes University

Grahamstown · National rank #11 · QS #1001

Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Work · Bachelor Master of Arts in Sociology · Master
University of Zululand

KwaDlangezwa · National rank #15 · QS #1000

Public Administration · Bachelor Social Work · Bachelor Anthropology · Bachelor Social Sciences · Bachelor Psychology · Bachelor Sociology · Bachelor Criminology · Bachelor
Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Cape Town · National rank #15

Bachelor of Public Management · Bachelor Master of Public Administration · Master
University of Limpopo

Polokwane · National rank #16

Bachelor of Social Work · Bachelor Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Master of Public Administration · Master
University of Fort Hare

Alice · National rank #17

Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration · Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Work · Bachelor Master of Public Administration · Master PhD in Sociology · PhD
University of Venda

Thohoyandou · National rank #19

Master of Arts in Development Studies · Master Bachelor of Arts in Social Work · Bachelor Master of Arts in Public Administration · Master Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies · PhD
Mangosuthu University of Technology

Umlazi · National rank #24

Diploma in Public Management · Bachelor
University of Mpumalanga

Mbombela · National rank #25

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology · Bachelor Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies · Bachelor Bachelor of Social Sciences · Bachelor

All Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of Cape Town

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations

University of Cape Town

Bachelor

PhD in Political Sciences

University of Pretoria

PhD

PhD in Psychology

University of Pretoria

PhD

BA in International Studies

Stellenbosch University

Bachelor

Doctor of Philosophy Psychology

University of the Western Cape

PhD

Doctor of Philosophy Social Work

University of the Western Cape

PhD

Master of Arts (Psychology)

University of the Western Cape

Master

Social Work

University of the Free State

Bachelor

Public Administration

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor

Master of Social Science (Criminology)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Master

Social Work

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Master

Master of Arts in Development Studies

University of the Witwatersrand

Master

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor

Master of Arts in Criminology

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Master

Bachelor of Public Management

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology

Rhodes University

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Work

Rhodes University

Bachelor

Master of Arts in Sociology

Rhodes University

Master

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor

Master of Public Administration

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Master

Master of Arts in Development Studies

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Master

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Bachelor

PhD in Sociology

University of Johannesburg

PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration

University of South Africa (UNISA)

PhD

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of Johannesburg

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Work

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

University of Johannesburg

Bachelor

Master of Arts in Development Studies

Nelson Mandela University

Master

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Nelson Mandela University

Master

Master of Arts in Development Studies

University of Fort Hare

Master

Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration

University of Fort Hare

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences

University of Fort Hare

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Work

University of Fort Hare

Bachelor

Master of Public Administration

University of Fort Hare

Master

PhD in Sociology

University of Fort Hare

PhD

Master of Arts in Development Studies

University of Venda

Master

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

University of Venda

Bachelor

Anthropology

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Bachelor of Social Work

University of Limpopo

Bachelor

Master of Arts in Development Studies

University of Limpopo

Master

Master of Arts in Public Administration

University of Venda

Master

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of Venda

Bachelor

Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies

University of Venda

PhD

Master of Public Administration

University of Limpopo

Master

Social Sciences

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Psychology

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Sociology

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Criminology

University of Zululand

Bachelor Aid

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of Mpumalanga

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies

University of Mpumalanga

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Sciences

University of Mpumalanga

Bachelor

IIE Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)

Bachelor

IIE Bachelor of Public Administration

The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)

Bachelor

IIE Master of Arts in Industrial and Organisational Psychology

The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)

Master

IIE Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology

The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Sol Plaatje University

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Sol Plaatje University

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies

Sol Plaatje University

Bachelor

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Regent Business School

Master

Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)

Regent Business School

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Sciences

Walter Sisulu University

Bachelor

Bachelor of Social Work (Allied Health Professions)

Walter Sisulu University

Bachelor

Diploma in Public Management

Mangosuthu University of Technology

Bachelor

Bachelor of Public Administration

MANCOSA

Bachelor

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration

MANCOSA

Master

Master of Public Administration

MANCOSA

Master

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Bachelor

Master of Social Science in Psychology

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

Master Aid

Bachelor of Social Work

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

Bachelor Aid

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

Bachelor

Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) Equivalent

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

Bachelor

Master of Social Science in Psychology (Research)

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

Master

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology

SACAP (South African College of Applied Psychology)

PhD

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology and HR Management

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Bachelor

Social Sciences Pre-degree

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Certificate

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology and Political Science

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology and English Literature Studies

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts: Psychology and Linguistics

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

Bachelor

Bachelor of Public Administration

Damelin

Bachelor

Explore Other Fields in South Africa

Computer Science Business & Management Engineering Medicine & Health Law Arts & Design Education Natural Sciences Architecture Agriculture & Environment

Also Study Social Sciences in

🇦🇺 Australia 🇨🇦 Canada 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇯🇵 Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study Social Sciences in South Africa?
Tuition for Social Sciences programs in South Africa ranges from $36k–$36k/yr. 11% of programs offer scholarships or financial aid. Annual living costs (accommodation, food, transport) are approximately $6k.
What are the English language requirements for Social Sciences in South Africa?
English-taught Social Sciences programs in South Africa typically require:. Requirements vary by university and program level — always check the specific program page.
How many Social Sciences programs are in South Africa?
Abroadly lists 85 Social Sciences programs at 26 universities across South Africa. Programs are available at Bachelor, Master, and PhD level.
Is South Africa a good country for Social Sciences students?
South Africa is a strong choice for Social Sciences with 26 universities offering these programs. The primary language is English.
What degree levels are available for Social Sciences in South Africa?
In South Africa, Social Sciences programs are offered at: Bachelor (53 programs), PhD (9 programs), Master (22 programs), Certificate (1 programs). This gives students flexibility whether they're seeking an undergraduate degree, postgraduate specialization, or doctoral research.