Let’s be real: figuring out how much university is going to cost you is one of the most stressful parts of the whole process. Between tuition, registration, accommodation, textbooks, and everything in between, the numbers can feel overwhelming before you’ve even set foot on campus.
But here’s the thing: knowledge is power. The more clearly you understand what you’re looking at financially, the better equipped you are to plan, apply for funding, and make a decision that actually works for your life and your wallet.
This guide breaks down the cost of university fees at every major South African public university for 2026/2027, with direct links to their official fee schedules, booklets, and handbooks. Whether you’re a first-year student, a parent budgeting ahead, or someone returning to studies, this is the resource you need.
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How University Fees Work in South Africa
Before we get into the numbers, it helps to understand how South African universities structure their fees, because not all of them do it the same way.
Some universities, like UCT and Wits, charge on a course or module basis, meaning your total annual fee is the sum of the individual courses you register for. Others, like UP, charge per faculty, with fees varying depending on which school within the university you’re enrolled in. A few, like UNISA, charge per paper or module, since they operate as a distance-learning institution.
What this means for you is that the fee estimates in this guide are exactly that—estimates. Your actual cost depends on your specific programme, your year of study, and the modules you choose. Always use your university’s official fee estimator tool or contact their student finance office for a personalised quote.
One more thing worth noting: registration fees are separate from tuition fees at most institutions. You’ll pay a registration fee upfront when you enrol, and this is usually deducted from your total annual tuition account.
What's Included in University Fees?
At most South African universities, your tuition fees cover:
- Registration and enrolment
- All lectures, tutorials, and laboratory sessions
- University examinations
- Library access
- Basic sporting and recreational facility access
- Compulsory personal accident insurance (at some institutions)
What’s not typically included:
- Prescribed textbooks and study materials
- Accommodation and meals (unless you’re on a full bursary that covers these)
- Transport
- Printing, stationery, and technology costs
- Student society membership fees
Keep this in mind when you’re building your annual budget.
2026/2027 University Fees: University by University Breakdown
South Africa has 26 public universities, split into traditional universities, comprehensive universities, and universities of technology. Below is a breakdown of the 2026/2027 fee ranges for each, along with a direct link to their official fee schedule, booklet, or handbook.
Where 2027 fees have not yet been officially published at the time of writing, the most recently confirmed 2026 figures are used as a guide. Fees typically increase by 4% to 8% annually, so use these figures for planning purposes and check the official page for the latest confirmed amounts.
Important note: All figures below are approximate annual tuition fee ranges for South African undergraduate students. Fees for SADC students, international students, postgraduates, and specific programmes may differ significantly. Always verify with the institution directly.
Traditional Universities
University of Cape Town (UCT) Estimated annual fees: R44,000 to R109,000 UCT uses a course-based fee structure — your total is the sum of the individual courses you register for. Fees vary widely by faculty, with Health Sciences programmes sitting at the higher end. The full fee breakdown is published in the Student Fees Handbook (Handbook 12), downloadable from the UCT handbooks page. UCT has also published its 2027 fees and payment dates in a separate document.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Estimated annual fees: R21,800 to R90,700 Wits charges per course and fees differ by faculty. Engineering, Medicine, and Commerce sit at the higher end of the range. The complete fee schedule is published annually in the Wits Fees Book, available as a PDF download. A 5% settlement discount applies if full fees are paid prior to registration.
University of Pretoria (UP / Tukkies) Estimated annual fees: R30,000 to R98,000 UP charges per module and the total varies by faculty. The registration (initial) fee for undergraduates is R11,000, payable before the academic year begins. UP offers a 2.5% discount for full payment before 30 April. The full fee breakdown per faculty is published on the official UP fees page.
Stellenbosch University (SU / Maties) Estimated annual fees: R52,900 to R87,950 Maties consistently ranks among South Africa’s top institutions, and fees reflect that. The university publishes a comprehensive annual Student Fees yearbook as a PDF. The current year’s document is available on the SU yearbooks page.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Estimated annual fees: R34,000 to R71,200 UKZN has five campuses across Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The university publishes both a Local Student Fees Guide and an International Student Fees Guide as downloadable PDFs each year. The 2026 Local Fees Booklet is the most recent confirmed version.
University of Johannesburg (UJ) Estimated annual fees: R35,258 to R100,248 UJ is one of the most accessible and digitally progressive universities in the country. The most affordable undergraduate programme is a Diploma in Health Sciences; the most expensive is Laboratory Modules. UJ publishes an annual undergraduate fees PDF on its student fees page. Free online applications are available.
University of the Free State (UFS) Estimated annual fees: R20,300 to R77,700 UFS has three campuses — Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and the South Campus. It charges no application fee for South African citizens. The university publishes an annual tuition fees yearbook as a PDF download.
North-West University (NWU) Estimated annual fees: R20,000 to R75,000 NWU has three campuses — Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark. The university encourages students to pay minimum fees in December or January for the coming year. No application fee applies for South African students.
Rhodes University (RU) Estimated annual fees: R41,507 to R65,119 Based in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, Rhodes is a smaller, highly regarded university known for its humanities, journalism, and law programmes. A 5% discount is available to students who pay the full annual fee before the date set by the university. The official fees schedule is published on the registrar’s page.
University of South Africa (UNISA) UNISA is South Africa’s largest distance-learning institution, and its fee structure is unique. Rather than an annual flat fee, UNISA charges per module or paper. A typical year of study involves four to six modules. Based on the most recently published figures:
- Half module (year): approximately R1,640
- Single semester module: approximately R3,275
- Full-year module or paper: approximately R6,440
- 36 credit year module or paper: approximately R9,505
This makes UNISA one of the most affordable higher education options in the country, particularly for working adults. Use the official UNISA fee calculator to get an accurate cost based on your specific modules.
University of Limpopo (UL) Estimated annual fees: R29,600 to R89,300 UL offers a wide range of programmes and remains one of the more affordable options for students in the Limpopo region. Fees are categorised by qualification and year of study and are published on the university’s student fees page.
University of the Western Cape (UWC) Estimated annual fees: R25,000 to R72,000 UWC has a proud history of accessibility and transformation. No application fee is charged for South African students. The university publishes its annual fee schedule through the student finance office.
University of Fort Hare (UFH) Estimated annual fees: R20,000 to R65,000 One of South Africa’s historically significant universities, UFH has three campuses: Alice, Bhisho, and East London. It is known for affordable tuition fees and a close-knit academic environment.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Fee estimates at NMU are entirely programme-specific. The university provides a personalised fee estimator on its website where you select your qualification and receive a detailed cost breakdown.
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Estimated annual fees: R31,100 to R63,900 UMP is one of South Africa’s newer universities, based in Mbombela and Siyabuswa, aimed at making higher education more accessible in the Mpumalanga region.
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Estimated annual fees: R22,000 to R55,000 Based in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, SPU is one of South Africa’s newest public universities. Its fee structure is published annually through the student finance office.
University of Zululand (UniZulu) Estimated annual fees: R18,000 to R55,000 UniZulu is based in KwaDlangezwa in KwaZulu-Natal and is known for its affordable fees and community-engaged learning. Applications are processed through the CAO.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Estimated annual fees: R18,000 to R60,000 WSU has campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Komani, and East London, offering programmes across humanities, business, science, and health sciences at affordable rates.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Estimated annual fees: R31,000 to R101,550 SMU is South Africa’s only dedicated health sciences university, based in Pretoria. Fees are specific to the health sciences programmes on offer, with medicine-related programmes at the top of the range.
Universities of Technology
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Estimated annual fees: R23,000 to R72,000 TUT is one of the largest universities of technology in South Africa, with campuses in Pretoria, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, eMalahleni, Mbombela, and Polokwane.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Estimated annual fees: R20,000 to R65,000 CPUT is based in Cape Town and Wellington, offering diploma, degree, and postgraduate programmes across technology, business, and design.
Durban University of Technology (DUT) Estimated annual fees: R22,000 to R68,000 DUT applications are processed through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The university has campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with programmes spanning engineering, health sciences, management, and arts. The CAO Handbook contains relevant fee information for applicants.
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Estimated annual fees: R18,000 to R58,000 VUT is based in Vanderbijlpark and publishes a student fee guide each year, available as a download on the university website.
Central University of Technology (CUT) Estimated annual fees: R19,000 to R60,000 CUT has campuses in Bloemfontein and Welkom, offering programmes in engineering, built environment, health sciences, and management sciences.
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Estimated annual fees: R18,000 to R52,000 MUT is based in Umlazi, south of Durban, and is one of the more affordable universities of technology in the country. Applications are processed through the CAO.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Tuition is just the beginning. Here’s what else you need to factor into your annual university budget:
Textbooks and study materials: R3,000 to R10,000 per year, depending on your programme. Science, medical, and law students tend to spend more.
Accommodation: On-campus residence fees vary widely, from approximately R30,000 to R70,000 per year depending on the university and room type. Off-campus options can be cheaper but come with transport costs.
Food and living expenses: Budget between R1,500 and R3,500 per month for food, toiletries, and daily essentials.
Transport: Whether you’re commuting from home or getting around campus, budget at least R500 to R1,500 per month.
Technology: A reliable laptop is non-negotiable at university. If you need help covering the cost, Fundi covers laptops, tablets, and study devices as part of their student loan offering.
Printing and stationery: Often underestimated. Budget R100 to R300 per month.
How to Fund Your Studies
Knowing the costs is one thing. Figuring out how to cover them is the real challenge. Here are your main options:
NSFAS: The National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds students from households with a combined annual income below R350,000. It can cover tuition, accommodation, food allowances, and a living stipend. The FundiConnect Funding Options guide has a full breakdown of how NSFAS works and how to apply.
Bursaries: There are hundreds of private and government bursaries available for South African students, many of which are merit-based or tied to specific fields of study. Browse FundiConnect’s bursary listings for opportunities relevant to your field.
Study loans: If you don’t qualify for NSFAS or a bursary — or if you need to top up your existing funding — a study loan through Fundi is a practical option worth exploring.
FAQs
Are 2027 fee schedules available yet? Most universities publish their official fee schedules towards the end of the preceding year or in early January. Several 2027 booklets had not yet been released at the time of writing, so this guide uses the most recently confirmed 2026 figures where 2027 editions are unavailable. The fee ranges are clearly labelled throughout, and all official links will reflect the latest published version when you visit them.
Do fees increase every year? Yes. South African university fees typically increase by between 4% and 8% annually, subject to approval by each university’s council and the Department of Higher Education and Training. The exact percentage varies by institution.
Do SADC students pay the same fees as South African students? At most public universities, students from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries pay the same tuition fees as South African citizens. However, they are typically required to pay an additional international levy. Non-SADC international students generally pay double the local tuition rate.
Can I negotiate a payment plan? Most South African universities offer payment plan options. Common arrangements include paying a portion upfront at registration and settling the balance by 31 July, or setting up a monthly debit order. Contact your university’s student finance office to find out what’s available.
What if I can’t afford the registration fee upfront? If you have a confirmed NSFAS award, bursary, or study loan, submit your proof of funding to the student finance office before registration. This prevents your account from being blocked for non-payment and allows registration to proceed.
Ready to Finance Your Studies? Fundi Can Help
Understanding the cost of university is step one. Step two is making sure that money isn’t the reason you don’t go.
Fundi is South Africa’s leading education finance provider, and they’ve been helping students get to — and through — university since 1996. Their student loan offering is designed to cover the full cost of education, not just tuition.
Here’s what Fundi can help you finance:
Applying is straightforward. Visit the Fundi website, complete the online form, and a Fundi representative will contact you to walk through the next steps.
