Study in Seychelles

Seychelles is certainly a country that not many people are unfamiliar with as a study abroad option. On the contrary, this island state is one of the most unique sites in Africa infamously known as a ‘paradise on Earth’. The beautiful country is blessed with deep blue waters and white sandy beaches with exotic sea life, making it a perfect honeymoon destination for most. The 115-island nation is within the Indian Ocean off East Africa and has the least population among independent African countries. If studying here must be part of your set of options! RocApply is but your best mediator if you choose to study in this uniquely branded African country!

From face value, the island country is an accumulation of immaculate beaches, clear waters, lush rainforests, and an entire world of history and culture. However, we believe there’s always more than what meets the eye. Because Seychelles is an amazing country it has resulted in many people being attracted to pursue their studies here, you will be able to explore what lies behind the scenes of these beautiful islands. For about two hundred million years ago, Seychelles existed as one continent; Gondwana. The result of tectonic movements then created what we know today as Seychelles and the Indian Ocean that surrounds it.

Seychelles is comprised of seventy-three coral islands and fourty-two inner islands, including Mahe and Praslin, which are formed by granite. These fourty-two additions to the archipelago are the only islands in the world that have no coral or volcanic elements. Seychelles have lots of wonder to be explored. When you choose to study here you wil not be dissapointed at all. Granite rocks can be found clustered along many of the inner islands’ beaches, bringing with them a charm that gives the island country its label as one of the most fascinating study abroad destinations in the world.

In our website, information relating to universities in Seychelles as well as tuition is covered under different filters thst you might want to check before preparing for your journey. Be sure to toggle through the filters for more details and infromation on what to expect and what not once you are here! We hope that you find this useful in your prospects! It is important to know that the there are two universities – the University of Seychelle and Seychelles Polytechnic.

The main language in spoken in the country is French. However, English is a secondary language that is used for administration and teaching in some circles. Students are encouraged to study in French and intensive language training courses are typically offered to international students who require it if need be. To this aid you are encouraged go through the university’s list of required documents before travel to avoid any inconviniences!

About Seychelles

According to Biblical legend, the Garden of Eden was located in Seychelles. Okay, full disclosure, the Old Testament does not strictly speaking say that the original paradise is in Seychelles, but after seeing the splendor of this tropical destination, you would never think otherwise. To corroborate Seychelles’ status as a legendary natural wonder, we have gathered the most impressive facts about this seaside getaway to convince the world Seychelles are, in fact, a paradise on Earth.

Known officially as the Republic of Seychelles, the seaborne nation became a popular tourist destination after 1997 and 1998, when it held the Miss World final pageants for two years running. Diana Hayden from India won in 1997, and Linor Abargil from Israel got the crown in 1998. These highly publicized events generated high interest in the islands, and since then the republic has hosted millions of tourists from all over, each one coming to get their own share of ‘paradise’.

The beauty that comes with the islands has made them a popular destination for holidays and honeymooners. Some of the most popular people to spend their honeymoon in Seychelles include Prince William and Duchess Kate, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz, as well as Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild amongst many. Did you also know that to ensure total privacy of their celebrity tourists, the Government of Seychelles introduced a law making it an offense for a Seychellois citizen to provide assistance to any paparazzi who is cunning enough to hire a fishing boat and try to take photographs from offshore!?

The islands are blessed with wildlife. Some of the rarest species of birds can be found in Seychelles. These include Seychelles Scops Owl, also known as the bare-legged Scops Owl, or Syer. Victoria is the capital city of Seychelles and is among the smallest capitals in the world, and can easily be explored on foot in less than a day. The city is located on the northeastern side of Mahe Island, the archipelago’s main island. The capital is the republic’s business and cultural hub. Standing tall in the city is the Victoria Clock Tower, a national monument modeled on that of Vauxhall Clock Tower, or ‘Little Ben’ in London.

About Seychelle's Economy

The Republic of Seychelles lies northeast of Madagascar, an archipelago of 115 islands with almost 98,000 citizens, three-quarters of whom live on the main island of Mahe. Seychelles has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Africa, at nearly $17 billion (2019), but inequality is significant, placing the prospect of continued shared prosperity in tighter focus. Climate change also poses long-term sustainability risks.

Following the economic crisis and resulting sovereign debt default in 2008, the Republic of Seychelles through a prudent reform program made significant progress in achieving economic stability and fiscal sustainability. As a result, the economy grew by an average rate of 4.2% per annum between 2009 and 2019. With the help of an International Monetary Fund program, the government maintained its target of 2.5% primary balance and was on target to reduce the debt to GDP ratio to 50% by 2021. Prudent monetary policy also led to a build-up of the gross international reserves to 3.5 months of import coverage by 2019 from less than one month at end-2008.

Seychelles has recently joined the ranks of high-income economies, a stage where both economic theory and the international empirical evidence show that sustained economic growth is fueled by rising productivity. Regarding inclusion, increasing Seychellois’ direct participation in an increasingly skills-intensive, sophisticated economy is the paramount challenge for the social sectors. Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the high income group of countries.

Growth has been led by the tourism sector, which directly employs about 26% of the labor force and directly and indirectly accounts for more than 55% of GDP, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and tourism industry services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of the offshore financial, information, and communication sectors and renewable energy.

As a very small open economy dependent on tourism, Seychelles remains vulnerable to developments such as economic downturns in countries that supply tourists, natural disasters, and changes in local climatic conditions and ocean temperature. One of the main challenges facing the government is implementing strategies that will increase Seychelles' long-term resilience to climate change without weakening economic growth.

Why Study in Seychelles

Island Chain

Seychelles is not a single land mass, but rather an archipelago consisting of 115 islands scattered over 177 square miles of Indian Ocean. These dots of lands hold the distinction of being the world's only mid-ocean islands composed of granite, as most islands tend to be remnants of volcanic components making them a beauty to spare for visits. The islands are by and large carpeted in lush jungles, which are home to a diversity of life. Only 33 of the islands are actually inhabited, with Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue being the largest, most populous, and most welcoming.

Lilliputian Locale

The capital of Seychelles is the port town of Victoria, and it currently holds the record as the smallest capital city on record books. Situated on the northeastern coast of Mahe Island, it boasts an area of little more than 21 square kilometers. Yet small as it is, the city is the permanent residence of 87% of the island's entire population! Given that it's easily the largest populated center in the archipelago, it is a must see for any visitor, especially considering that a person can explore the entire city in a day.

Tropical Conservation

If one were to hop from island to island, they would run across sights that confirm Seychelles's status as a natural paradise; numerous conservation areas with endemic flora and fauna spread out among the islands. Each area is a unique example of wilderness untouched by humans, and plays host to a plenty of native creatures. Fruit bats, blue pigeons, and black parrots are unique to the islands, and which are protected by Seychelles Island Securities. They even say that to come face-to-face with a black parrot is to know, unequivocally, that you have come to Seychelles. Why not apply today with RocApply and experience a unique lifestyle on the islands!!

Two of the Five Food Groups in One

One of the most popular delicacies on Seychelles is the peculiar vegetable known as the breadfruit. While technically a member of the mulberry and jack fruit family, breadfruit is taken as any other green part of your daily diet, and is commonly grilled or stewed with spices alongside meat, fish, and other vegetables. How does this wonder of Seychelles’ delicacy taste, you ask? According to most reports, it has a flavor reminiscent of potato, with a slight undercurrent of fried onion bulbs. It is a great taste sensation equally unique as its name making the islands a great choice for studying abroad!

Scholarships in Seychelles

The cost of living in Seychelles is possibly the biggest negative factor when considering to study in this country. On an average, high costs are usually inevitable, even when tightly budgeting. Students can expect to pay around USD $2000 on a monthly basis.

However, tuition fees are comparatively low. Furthermore, funding opportunities are available and some institutions even provide living expenses, such as the University of Seychelles.

Seychelles Student Visa

To receive Seychelles Student Visa, you must first get accepted in an educational institution in Seychelles. This is why it is important to apply through RocApply and secure a vacancy in any of the universities of your choice to proceed with application for a visa. The student then has to apply at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authorization for your Student Visa.

To study in Seychelles, international students must get a Seychellois student visa depending on their country of origin. RocApply has, made it easy for you to follow what documentation may be needed upon visa application on this guide! It is however, advised to always check with the consulate/embassy for more details on visa requirements.