If you’re a university student in South Africa, balancing classes and studies with forex trading can seem tough.
The good news is, you don’t need to trade all day.
This guide will help you find the best times to trade (SAST), showing you how to fit profitable market opportunities into your busy academic schedule, all from your phone.
You Don’t Need All Day to Trade — Just the Right Hours
If you’re a university student in South Africa, your schedule is probably full of:
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Classes and lectures
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Group projects and exam prep
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Maybe even a part-time job
So how do you fit trading into your routine without burning out or missing real market opportunities?
The truth is, you don’t need 8 hours a day.
You just need 1–2 well-timed hours, placed in the right market session.
Let’s help you find your trading window.
ALSO READ: Deposit R3000, Trade With R10,350 | Our 245% Bonus Explained
🎓 Step 1: Know When Markets Move (SAST Time Zone)
Here’s a quick breakdown of when the real action happens:
| Session | Time (SAST) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 02:00–11:00 | Asian pairs, slower pace |
| London | 10:00–15:00 | Strong forex movement, especially EUR/GBP |
| New York | 15:30–22:00 | NASDAQ, gold, USD pairs explode here |
| Overlap (LON–NY) | 15:30–19:00 | Most volatility and trade volume |
🕒 Best Trading Times for Different Uni Schedules
✅ Morning Students (Classes 08:00–13:00)
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Best trading time: 15:30–17:00
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What to trade: NAS100, USA30, XAUUSD
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Why: You’re done with class and catching the NY session open
✅ Afternoon Students (Classes 12:00–17:00)
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Best trading time: 09:30–10:30 or after 19:00
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What to trade: EUR/USD in the morning or manage trades in the evening
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Why: You avoid mid-day dead zones and still trade when spreads are normal
✅ Part-Time or Flexible Schedules
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Best trading time: 10:00–12:00 or 15:30–18:30
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Why: You can plan around peak market overlaps
📱 Trading On Mobile? Even Better
If you’re using MT4 or MT5 on your phone, you can:
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Set pending orders during a study break
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Manage risk using smaller lot sizes
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Fund and withdraw straight from your device
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Use bonus accounts to boost low capital
Just make sure your data is stable — use Wi-Fi or uncapped campus internet if possible.
ALSO READ: How to Download the Trade245 App (Android & iOS)
💡 Tips to Balance Trading and Studying
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Set fixed trading days — like Tues & Thurs at 4PM
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Keep trades short — scalp or swing, but don’t hold overnight if you’ll be offline
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Journal setups between classes
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Avoid trading right before tests — emotional trades lead to bad decisions
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Use Bonus or Micro accounts if you’re starting with R100–R500
Trade While You Learn
Trading in university doesn’t mean turning R200 into R20,000 overnight.
It means:
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Learning to read markets
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Building a routine
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Managing small risks with real skill
Do that consistently? You’ll leave varsity with more than just a degree, you’ll have a second skill set.
🎯 Ready to build your trading skills on your terms?
👉 Create your real account and start with flexible funding now
