Tuition Fees for Studying in South Africa
Students from India and Pakistan pay more than South African students. Each university adds its own international fee to the normal tuition. All amounts are in South African rand (ZAR).
Sample: University of Cape Town (UCT)
Example: first-year BSc at UCT
Example only. UCT 2026 fees for a first-year BSc. Course fees change with the courses you take.
How Fees Work for International Students
You pay the normal tuition for your courses plus an international fee. The extra fee is different at each university.
Students from India and Pakistan
UCT and Stellenbosch University (SU) add a fixed international fee each year on top of course fees.
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Pretoria (UP) charge two times the local tuition for a bachelor's degree. UP adds ZAR 4,725 a year.
Open the fee pages linked below to compare.
Pay before you register
International Fees by University (2026)
For a bachelor's student from India or Pakistan.
| University Type | Range | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| UCT | Course fees plus ZAR 80,400 and ZAR 5,600 | Both extra fees are charged each year. |
| SU | Tuition plus ZAR 76,520 and ZAR 59,375 | Ask SU for a fee quote for your course. |
| Wits | Two times local tuition | Postgraduate: local tuition plus ZAR 6,970. |
| UP | Two times local tuition, plus ZAR 4,725 a year | Research master's and doctoral: local tuition. |
- UCT
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
Fees by Degree Level (2026, Students from Outside Africa)
The international fee depends on the level of your degree. Postgraduate means master's or PhD.
Range
UCT: course fees plus ZAR 80,400 a year
Key Considerations
- SU: tuition plus ZAR 76,520 and ZAR 59,375 a year.
- Wits and UP: two times local tuition.
Graduate School of Business
UCT First-Year Course Fees by Degree (2026)
These are UCT's typical first-year course fees. International students add the International Term Fee and the Administrative Fee.
| Field of Study | Low-End | High-End | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | ZAR 62,340 | ZAR 110,580 | Actuarial Science is at the top of the range. |
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) | ZAR 87,000 | ZAR 87,000 | - |
| Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc Engineering) | ZAR 82,820 | ZAR 89,780 | - |
| Medicine (MBChB) | ZAR 113,510 | ZAR 113,510 | - |
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) | ZAR 79,000 | ZAR 79,000 | Same fee for the Bachelor of Social Science. |
- International Administrative Fee: ZAR 5,600 a year at UCT.
- Medical aid (South African health insurance). You pay the insurance company, not the university.
- Residence fees, if you live in a university residence.
Not the full cost
Other Fees to Plan For
Fees on top of tuition.
- Application feeUCT: ZAR 300. Wits postgraduate: ZAR 200.
Paid when you apply. UCT does not refund it.
- Exemption certificateZAR 1,070 in 2026, not refunded
For a first degree. You pay the Matriculation Board (part of Universities South Africa), which checks your school papers and gives a certificate of exemption if you qualify.
- Student cardSU: ZAR 80
A compulsory fee at SU.
- UCT International Administrative FeeZAR 5,600 a year
Not refunded. Pays for the university to check your visa papers, register you and run your orientation (a welcome programme).
- Wits International Registration FeeZAR 6,970 a year
For postgraduate students. Not refunded.
- UP international levy (an extra yearly fee)ZAR 4,725 a year (2026)
Paid every year by all non-South African students.
Medical aid is extra
Pro Tips for Managing Additional Fees
- Do not combine fees from two universities. Each university has its own fees.
- UP takes card payments online. Your bank may need to approve them with a one-time PIN (3D security).
When and How to Pay (2026 Rules)
Each university has its own payment dates.
Payment Methods
Flywire
UCT asks international students to pay through Flywire, its online payment portal.
Credit card
UCT and UP take card payments online.
Bank transfer from abroad (SWIFT)
A transfer from your bank to UCT's bank. Allow at least 14 working days for the money to reach UCT.
1UCT
- First payment before registration (2026): ZAR 121,700 for a bachelor's, ZAR 81,000 for a coursework master's.
- The full fee was due by 31 July 2026. Ask UCT for the date for your intake.
2Wits
- 75% before registration.
- The other 25% is due by 30 June. Ask Wits for the year that applies to you.
3SU
- The ITF in full before registration.
- A bachelor's student from outside Africa pays ZAR 121,520 before registration: ZAR 45,000 plus the ZAR 76,520 ITF.
Late payment
Quick Facts
Key points before you budget.
- 1UCT charges by course, plus an International Term Fee of ZAR 80,400 a year for a bachelor's (2026, outside Africa).
- 2SU adds an International Tuition Fee (ITF) of ZAR 76,520 and an International Registration Fee of ZAR 59,375 a year for a bachelor's (2026, outside Africa).
- 3Wits and UP charge two times local tuition for a bachelor's. UP adds ZAR 4,725 a year.
- 4Wits postgraduate students pay local tuition plus ZAR 6,970 a year.
- 5At UCT, students who first register in the second semester pay only 50% of the standard International Term Fee.
These fees are for 2026. Look at the fee page of your university for the year you start.
At Wits and UP, a research master's or PhD is charged local tuition.
The first payment is due before you register.
Compare the total
Fee Pages of Each University
Check the fee page of your university.
- UP international student feesVisit
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