South African university application fees – 2025

There are so many SA universities you can apply to, and that means you’ll have to do a looooot of research that can leave you feeling like this ⬇️

🎓 To help you plan your future, here’s a list of all the SA universities that don’t charge application fees.

We also included the application fees for the other SA universities, just to help you weigh out your options. 😁💯

• There is no application fee for international students and SA students from Quintile 1-4 schools.
• There is a R100 application fee for SA applicants from Quintile 5 schools.
• Check out the Stellenbosch University website to learn how you can apply for an application fee waiver.

There is no application fee for UFS.

• There is no application fee for online applications.
• There is a R200 application fee for paper applications.

• There is no application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R600 application fee for international students.

• There is no application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R500 application fee for international students.

Note: Sol Plaatje University has not yet released their 2025 application information. We’ve added the 2024 application fee info to give you an idea of what the fees might be for 2025. 

There is no application fee for Sol Plaatje University.

There is no application fee for UWC.

• There is no application fee for online applications.
• There is a R100 application fee for paper applications.

Note: The Central University of  Technology has not yet released their 2025 application information. We’ve added the 2024 application fee info to give you an idea of what the fees might be for 2025. 

There is no application fee for the Central University of Technology.

• There is a R100 application fee for SA applicants and students from the SADC region.
• There is a R300 application fee for international students from countries outside the SADC region.

There is a R300 application fee for all applicants.

• There is a R300 application fee for students whose household income is more than R150 000 per annum.
• There is no application fee for students whose household income is less than R150 000 per annum.
• You will have to submit a proof of income with your application to have the application fee waived.

• There is a R100 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R700 application fee for international students.

Note: Rhodes University has not yet released their 2025 application information. We’ve added the 2024 application fee info to give you an idea of what the fees might be for 2025. 

There is a R100 application fee for all applicants.

Note: The University of KwaZulu-Natal has not yet released their 2025 application information. We’ve added the 2024 application fee info to give you an idea of what the fees might be for 2025. 

• There is a R210 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R420 application fee for SA applicants who submit their application late.
• There is a R490 application fee for students from African countries.
• There is a $153 application fee for international students from outside of Africa.

• There is a R200 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R700 application fee for international students.

There is a R100 application fee for all applicants.

There is a R240 application fee for all applicants.

• All first year applicants will have to apply via the CAO website.
• There is a R250 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R300 application fee for international students.

• There is a R120 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R130 application fee for international students.

Note: The Durban University of Technology has not yet released their 2025 application information. We’ve added the 2024 application fee info to give you an idea of what the fees might be for 2025. 

• All first year applicants will have to apply via the CAO website.
• There is a R250 application fee for SA applicants.
• There is a R300 application fee for international students.

You can use FoondaMate to get info about application dates, mark requirements, to calculate APS scores, and to get info about bursaries.

Get the FoondaMate University Bound Plan today to get started. Plus you’ll get explanations and past papers for any grade 8 – 12 CAPS subject to help you qualify for your dream uni course.