Tuition Fees in South Africa for International Students

Education is one of the most important aspects of a student's life because it allows them to make progress in their professional careers. Tuition can be an issue when choosing a university to study at, and South Africa is well-known for having great universities with affordable tuition fees that allow students to become a part of their prestigious institution.

Public universities are often good options for international students because they allow students to access well-established education under governmental support. Students that are interested in entering a public university in South Africa should know that there are 25 universities here, and they need to research the most suitable for them.

Private universities are also some of the most credible places where you can get your degree. Out 38 institutions in South Africa, 13 of them are privately operated. With these options, along with public institutions, students have better chances of finding a university that fits their financial capabilities.

Tuition fees are among the most significant factors students weigh when it comes to their university applications. Fortunately, knowing about tuition fees ahead of time can help you prepare for this challenge. In this article, we will be looking at tuition fees in South Africa.

Are there any free tuition universities in South Africa?

No, there are no free-tuition universities in South Africa. Students are expected to be capable of financing their education and paying their tuition fees. However, students may check the universities here if they offer financial help, such as grants, scholarships, or work-study opportunities. It’s also worth checking the cheapest universities in South Africa to find the most affordable study destinations.

Is South Africa affordable for International Students?

Those pursuing bachelor's degree studies as an international student in South Africa spend an average of 38,000 Rand annually on tuition fees. On top of this, they also need to consider other costs, such as accommodation, food, and transport. With all these, those looking to study in South Africa need to prepare well, as these expenses can easily add up to make a significant dent in their finances.

Meanwhile, international students in master's programs might not find South Africa friendly to their wallets. The average tuition rate here is 28,200 Rand. This along with living costs and miscellaneous expenses can quickly add up and make budgeting quite a challenge.

Tuition Fees in South Africa

There are multiple universities in South Africa that are welcoming to both international and domestic students, and they provide great educational values with different tuition fee values. Here are the tuition fee ranges of universities in South Africa, based on student type and degree.

Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Bachelor
Durban University of Technology 5,260 Rand
St. Augustine College of South Africa 9,000 Rand - 52,200 Rand
Mangosuthu University of Technology 9,060 Rand - 30,700 Rand
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 9,340 Rand - 56,100 Rand
University of Venda 9,960 Rand - 73,200 Rand
Vaal University of Technology 19,000 Rand - 70,100 Rand
Central University of Technology 25,000 Rand - 108,800 Rand
Nelson Mandela University 26,500 Rand - 66,500 Rand
Management College of South Africa 28,700 Rand - 35,800 Rand
Red and Yellow Creative School of Business 33,900 Rand
University of Johannesburg 34,100 Rand - 62,900 Rand
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 35,200 Rand - 137,000 Rand
Emeris 35,300 Rand - 79,600 Rand
University of Mpumalanga 40,200 Rand - 55,900 Rand
University of the Free State 41,300 Rand - 75,600 Rand
Stellenbosch University 45,000 Rand
Cornerstone Institute 47,800 Rand - 100,400 Rand
North-West University 53,500 Rand - 80,100 Rand
University of Pretoria 55,000 Rand - 89,000 Rand
University of Cape Town 62,000 Rand - 110,600 Rand
University of the Witwatersrand 62,900 Rand - 98,900 Rand
Rhodes University 63,500 Rand - 69,500 Rand
South African College of Applied Psychology 65,200 Rand - 107,700 Rand
Helderberg College of Higher Education 65,400 Rand - 70,100 Rand
STADIO Higher Education 66,900 Rand - 82,300 Rand
University of the Western Cape 85,000 Rand - 98,900 Rand
Stenden South Africa 115,000 Rand
University of KwaZulu-Natal 293,700 Rand
Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Master
Mangosuthu University of Technology 9,060 Rand - 30,700 Rand
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 10,500 Rand - 23,700 Rand
Nelson Mandela University 18,900 Rand - 80,900 Rand
Vaal University of Technology 24,500 Rand
University of Pretoria 24,800 Rand - 101,700 Rand
University of the Free State 25,600 Rand
University of Venda 25,800 Rand - 40,600 Rand
St. Augustine College of South Africa 29,500 Rand
Stellenbosch University 30,000 Rand
Emeris 30,700 Rand - 91,800 Rand
Rhodes University 32,000 Rand - 82,000 Rand
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 42,300 Rand
University of the Witwatersrand 45,000 Rand - 427,900 Rand
University of Johannesburg 47,400 Rand - 298,500 Rand
University of Cape Town 59,000 Rand - 81,000 Rand
Management College of South Africa 63,100 Rand - 76,900 Rand
University of Mpumalanga 64,100 Rand - 67,300 Rand
Central University of Technology 80,000 Rand - 116,000 Rand
University of the Western Cape 115,400 Rand - 131,100 Rand
University of KwaZulu-Natal 293,700 Rand

The primary goal of this article is to provide information about tuition fees in South Africa and to assist students in their quest to achieve their goals. By describing the average tuition fees and providing you with the best ones available, we hope to help you make an informed decision about your education. Remember that studying in South Africa can be a financially viable option, so don't let the cost of tuition prevent you from pursuing your dreams.

And make sure to check out the most affordable universities in South Africa to learn more about making the best out of your finances as an international student.