Durban University of Technology International School

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

The International (Summer/Winter) School at the Durban University of Technology offers international students an opportunity to visit the KwaZulu-Natal Province, a region that has a rich cultural and political history, for an intensive four weeks work-study program.
For further information, please contact:
International Education and Partnerships Office, Durban University of Technology
Physical mailing address: P O Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
Tel: 031 373 5422; Fax: 27 86 674 0661; e-mail: international@dut.ac.za;
Website: http://www.dut.ac.za

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in University arranged accommodation, which provides comfortably furnished single bed-sitting rooms. The accommodation venue is within walking distance to the DUT Steve Biko campus, lecture venues, the University library and the Musgrave Shopping Mall.

Evaluation and Credit

Participating students will enroll at the Durban University of Technology and are required to participate in Oral presentations, Panel discussions, submit assignments, write in-class tests and maintain a written Diary to assist in the preparation of the final assessment reports by the Academic supervisors of each course. There will be about 50 contact hours per course. A final grade will be calculated for each course and an official transcript will be sent to the home institution after the completion of the program. Durban University of Technology awards 16 credits per course with a maximum of 32 credits for the International School session.

Medical Insurance

The South African government requires that all international students take out private healthcare insurance. Students attending the International School are required to take out cover in their home countries, which should provide cover for all medical costs incurred while under the care of a private physician, emergency room treatment, or treatment as an in-patient at a local hospital. Should students require medical assistance, they will be expected to pay the hospital/doctor directly, and then claim from their medical insurance in their home country. It’s advisable to get your insurance provider to confirm that you will be covered for medical treatment in South Africa. The University operates a free health clinic for students where minor health challenges can be treated.

Leisure Activities

Durban and Pietermaritzburg, where the University’s main teaching centres are located, are modern cities with hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, libraries, museums, cinemas, music and jazz venues, art galleries and Durban hosts global conferences at its Albert Luthuli International Convention Center. Within a stone’s throw of apartment blocks, theaters and street-side cafes is the Indian Ocean and Durban’s “golden mile” with its magnificent swimming beaches, great surfing and a warm weather all year round. There are also a number of nature reserves and wilderness heritage sites within easy travel distance, where visitors can view game in their natural surroundings.
Have a quick look at Durban. Video courtesy Durban Tourism.

Tours

Visits to at least two historical heritage sites and a field trip to the famous Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia Estuary are included in the programme, and visits to other places of interest, including the Ekhaya Multi Arts Center in the KwaMashu Township, are part of individual courses.

Travel Advisory

Climate
During June and July the weather in Durban is generally sunny with day time temperatures averaging around 20-24 degree Celsius; although the nights are usually colder. The weather can be much colder at some of the tourist destinations, but it is unusual for temperatures to drop below freezing point anywhere in KwaZulu-Natal at this time of the year, except on the higher peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS affects South Africans from all walks of life, including staff and students at universities. The Durban University of Technology provides free AIDS testing and has an established HIV/AIDS Counseling Centre with qualified/trained staff who provide information on education, prevention and treatment for those infected and affected by the disease.
Currency
The local currency is the South African Rand, and, with a few exceptions, businesses do not accept foreign currencies, and many do not accept travelers’ cheques in foreign currencies. Most currencies and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at local banks, or at foreign exchange offices in airports and shopping centres. Credit cards are widely accepted, but exercise a degree of caution when using your card – credit card fraud is not unknown here!