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.

Universities with no application fees for 2025

Stellenbosch University

• 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

University of Free State

• There is no application fee for UFS.

University of Johannesburg

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

North West University

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

Nelson Mandela University

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

Sol Plaatje University

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

University of Western Cape

• There is no application fee for UWC

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

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

Central University of Technology

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

Universities with application fees for 2025

University of Cape Town

• 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

Sefako Makgato Health Science University

• There is a R300 application fee for all applicants

University of Pretoria

• 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

University of Witwatersrand

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

Rhodes University

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

University of KwaZulu-Natal

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

University of Limpopo

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

University of Venda

• There is a R100 application fee for all applicants

Tshwane University of Technology

• There is a R240 application fee for all applicants

Mangosuthu University of Technology

• 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

Vaal University of Technology

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

Durban University of Technology

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

Need help with your applications? 

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.