The university is located in Grahamstown, about 550 miles from Cape Town, on the eastern cape of South Africa. Rhodes University was named after Cecil Rhodes. One of the university's distinctive features is its tutorial system, modeled closely on those of Cambridge and Oxford universities. Students are assigned tutors and tutorial groups within academic departments. Student enrollment is about 4,500.
Accommodation is provided in one of the residence halls.
Students may study at Grahamstown for either the spring semester or for an academic year. The university has its own Spanish Studies Center, which focuses on teaching a combination of Spanish language and culture. Students may select the type of housing they wish provided, however homestays with Spanish families are encouraged. Students may study for either a semester or academic year.