There has been a longstanding cooperation in education and training between the European Union and the Republic of South Africa.

The European Commission is responsible for the running of the Erasmus+ Programme and the Intra-Africa academic mobility scheme. The European Commission manages the budget and sets priorities, targets and
criteria for the programmes for education, training, youth and sport for the period 2014-2020.

Erasmus+
Erasmus+ aims to modernise and improve higher education across Europe and the rest of the world. It gives students and staff opportunities to develop their skills and boost their employment prospects. Good practices will be shared between universities and businesses in Knowledge Alliances.

South Africa is a Partner Country in the Erasmus+ programme. Higher education institutions from participating European countries can work with those from neighbouring countries, non-EU Balkan countries, Asia, Africa and Latin America to develop their educational systems.

Joint Master Degree Programmes
Through established cooperation agreements with European partners under Erasmus+ you can apply for a scholarship to follow one of the high-level Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree programmes, offered by a consortium of European and non-European higher education institutions. You will study in at least two of the participating institutions and be awarded a joint or double/multiple degree at the end of your studies. EU-funded scholarships cover the participation costs, travel to Europe, a living allowance and insurance.

Credit Mobility
If your own higher education institution has cooperation agreements with European universities, under Erasmus+ you can apply for a grant for short-term credit mobility (3 to 12 months), under which you can spend part of your study period (at bachelors, masters or doctorate level) at a partner institution.

Your academic activities at your receiving institution will be fully recognised and contribute to your degree once you return to your sending institution. Under this agreement, your university can also receive European students.

Career Development
Higher education institution staff can apply for a grant to spend a period (5 days to 2 months) at this partner institution to deliver teaching or training, or to follow training for career development purposes. Under this agreement, your university can also receive European staff.

Academics can also apply to act as scholars or guest lecturers in any of the on-going Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees. Apply directly to the consortium delivering the joint programme, which carries out a competitive selection procedure, open to academics from around the world.

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmusplus/jointmasterdegrees

Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Doctoral fellowships or other research grants are available under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 framework programme for research and innovation. The main areas of cooperation continue to be health; food, agriculture & biotechnology; and environment.

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/marie-sklodowska-curie-actions

Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme
The Intra-Africa academic mobility scheme funds:

• Partnerships of African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for the organisation and implementation of student and staff mobility across the continent.
• Scholarships to students and staff to carry out studies, research, teaching and training assignments in another African country.

What are the expected benefits for students/academics?

• Participation in high-level academic mobility
• Recognition of study and research/teaching assignments abroad
• Improved linguistic skills
• Improved employability and better career perspectives
• Strengthened personal/soft skills through international academic exchange of knowledge, ideas, and contacts

The scheme is aimed at:

• Master and Doctorates
• Staff: Academic and administrative Thematic fields of study:
• Agriculture and food security
• Engineering incl. infrastructure and energy
• Education sciences
• Health sciences
• Marine sciences and the blue economy
• Social sciences and governance 

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/intra-africa_en
https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/southafrica_en