HOW much South Africa’s top universities cost in 2025

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As South Africa’s top universities start to gear up for the academic year, we take a look at how much they cost. Among South Africa’s top universities, 14 of them rank favourably in the world’s top tertiary institutions for 2024, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

South Africa’s top universities are ranked globally based on 18 individual performance indicators: Teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook. The full list comprises more than 2 100 universities across 108 countries. And, for reference, Oxford took the top spot for a record-breaking ninth consecutive year. This beat Harvard’s previous record of eight consecutive years at number one (2004 to 2011).

SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP UNIVERSITIES

Sad but true, a qualification from one of South Africa’s top universities will give you an advantage in the job market later in life. Image: File

So, how do South Africa’s top universities compare globally? University of Cape Town (UCT) is once-again the top-rated university in the country at 180. Institutions outside the top 300 are not ranked individually but rather in ranges. The University of Pretoria (UP) ranks in the 601-800 range. And North West University (NWU) from 801-1000 range. Moreover, the University of Fort Hare (UFH) (1500-2100 range) entered the ranking for the first time.

As far as fees at South Africa’s top universities, BusinessTech compiled an excellent deep dive. Using a cross-section of common undergraduate programmes, here’s what fees in 2025 are likely to be. Note, that the below excludes textbooks, travel, living expenses, residency, personal accommodation, etc …

University	BA	BCom�	BSc �	LLB�	BEng
UCT	R75 500	R76 430	R80 240�	R76 810�	R79 460
WITS �	R51 950	R57 800	R47 770	R43 970�	R65 755
Stellenbosch	R55 385 �	R57 130	R69 652	R58 601	R78 200
UKZN�	R51 911	R55 531	R47 831	R52 723	R62 324
UP�	R48 000 �	R52 000�	R54 000	R52 000	R55 000
Rhodes�	R60 662�	R66 368	R63 110	R68 049	N/A
UJ �	R47 812�	R51 586�	R50 060	R48 367	R56 525
UFS �	R47 700�	R58 160�	R61 210�	R47 290	N/A

Note that these are 2025 fee estimates available on respective university websites. Also, some universities calculate fees per module so overall costs may differ.

HOW TO GET A BURSARY

Most of South Africa’s top universities start courses in late March, early April. According to Careers Portal, all of the above are public institutions, so they qualify for NSFAS funding. Full bursaries are available for students from families with an annual income of less than R350 000 per annum. Students from families with an income of R350 001 to R600 000 per annum also qualify for a student loan from NSFAS. Be sure to apply for the university you are interested in first. And then try get approval by the NSFAS, otherwise you may miss out on a spot at your preferred university.

DO YOU THINK SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY FEES ARE TOO HIGH?

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