7 Cheapest Universities in Cape Town for International Students

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In Cape Town, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in South Africa without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Cape Town, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 7 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Cape Town, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Cape Town for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Cape Town ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 9,340 Rand - 56,100 Rand 81%
Red and Yellow Creative School of Business 31,200 Rand 35%
University of Cape Town 48,700 Rand - 91,100 Rand -1%
South African College of Applied Psychology 55,700 Rand - 71,600 Rand -16%
STADIO Higher Education 56,100 Rand - 91,600 Rand -17%
IIE Varsity College 60,300 Rand - 95,500 Rand -26%
Cornerstone Institute 73,500 Rand -53%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 47,800 Rand for universities in Cape Town.

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1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is a world-renowned university that offers transformative education, allowing its students to excel even on the international scene. It integrates technology into its curriculum while still retaining its country’s rich culture and tradition. The university demonstrates enthusiasm and devotion to public service by delivering high-quality and relevant training to its constituents.

2. Red and Yellow Creative School of Business

From the name itself, the Red and Yellow Creative School of Business is the place for artists and talented people who thrive in this digital world. The institute offers opportunities for individuals to pursue their passions and make a career out of them. As a business school, it boosts its students’ creative thinking and brilliant ideas, allowing them to become future innovators and changemakers in society.

3. University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town offers a community filled with exceptionally talented instructors, students, and researchers committed to making the world a better place through education. The university envisions itself as an inclusive and research-intensive institution that addresses the challenges and concerns of society. At present, the university is proud of being one of the top-rated educational institutions in the country, with a massive number of renowned scientists and researchers.

4. South African College of Applied Psychology

South African College of Applied Psychology is a comprehensive educational institution that aims to transform lives through education. It offers various academic and vocational programs that enhance the critical thinking and skills of the students. Through its internationalization, students from the institute are able to connect with various universities around the globe.

5. STADIO Higher Education

STADIO Higher Education is an accredited tertiary education that aims to train students in their future career endeavors. It has experienced faculty and staff that continue to hone the learning and skills of the students through advanced resources and teaching techniques. Over the years, the institute has been responsive to the changes in industry standards and only produces graduates that are competent and well-knowledgeable in their profession.

6. IIE Varsity College

IIE Varsity College is one of the private schools of the Independent Insitute of Education, an academic brand in South Africa. It has 8 campuses in the country, including Cape Town, Pretoria, Sandton, and Port Elizabeth. The college offers various degree and diploma programs, as well as short courses and higher certificates. As for the study fields, the college’s academic expertise covers Business Management, Education, Law, Engineering, and Computer and Information Technology.

7. Cornerstone Institute

Cornerstone Institute was founded with the goal of helping students gain confidence in entering the professional field. The institute offers various programs ranging from humanities to economics, allowing students to do well after graduation. With its practical-based education, the institute is hopeful of creating an academic environment that is productive and student-centered.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Cape Town for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Cape Town ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is a world-renowned university that offers transformative education, allowing its students to excel even on the international scene. It integrates technology into its curriculum while still retaining its country’s rich culture and tradition. The university demonstrates enthusiasm and devotion to public service by delivering high-quality and relevant training to its constituents.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Cape Peninsula University of Technology should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 10,500 Rand to 23,680 Rand annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Cape Town

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Cape Town. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of Cape Town is 14,950 Rand to 262,240 Rand.

The University of Cape Town offers a community filled with exceptionally talented instructors, students, and researchers committed to making the world a better place through education. The university envisions itself as an inclusive and research-intensive institution that addresses the challenges and concerns of society. At present, the university is proud of being one of the top-rated educational institutions in the country, with a massive number of renowned scientists and researchers.

3. South African College of Applied Psychology

South African College of Applied Psychology is a comprehensive educational institution that aims to transform lives through education. It offers various academic and vocational programs that enhance the critical thinking and skills of the students. Through its internationalization, students from the institute are able to connect with various universities around the globe.

The tuition fee at South African College of Applied Psychology for incoming international master’s students is 68,063 Rand. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Cape Town?

Applying to cheap universities in Cape Town requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in South Africa for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Cape Town?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Cape Town. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Cape Town is the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, which offers Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering, and Computer Engineering to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology offers Marine Science, Conservation Science, and Environmental Management.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in South Africa, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in South Africa as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Cape Town for international students was helpful!