South Africa has 26 public universities with thousands of hopefuls applying each and every year with the goal of becoming qualified and furthering their career. Some universities have already opened their 2025 university applications.
University applications can be stressful enough without hidden costs. This article unveils the truth about application fees: How much will they REALLY cost you for 2025?
2025 University Application Fees
- University of the Western Cape - FREE!
- Stellenbosch University - R100
- University of Cape Town - R100
- University of Pretoria
- If your household income is less than R150 000 per annum, you don't have to pay an application fee
- Should your household income be more than R150 000 per annum, you will have to pay an application fee of R300
- University of the Witwatersrand - R100
- University of Kwazulu Natal - R250
- Rhodes University - R100
- Unisa - R135
- University of Johannesburg
- Hard copy applications using an application form will cost you an application fee of R200
- Online applications are FREE!
- North West University - FREE!
- University of the Free State - FREE!
- Nelson Mandela University - FREE!
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Hard copy applications using an application form will cost you an application fee of R100
- Online applications are FREE!
- University of Zululand - R150
- Vaal University of Technology - R100
- Central University of Technology - FREE!
- Walter Sisulu University - FREE!
- University of Limpopo - R200
- University of Mpumalanga - R150
- Sol Plaatje University - FREE!
- Durban University of Technology - R250
- Sefako Makgatho University - R300
- Tshwane University of Technology - R240
- University of Fort Hare
- Hard copy applications using an application form will cost you an application fee of R120
- Online applications are FREE!
- Mangosuthu University of Technology - R250
- University of Venda - R100
When applying using the Central Application Office (CAO), which is used by universities in Kwazulu-Natal, one application fee of R250 is paid for all applications submitted.
2025 University Application Dates
If you’re planning to study at one of South Africa’s 26 public universities, it’s good to know the university application dates. This is important because you need to make sure that you apply on time and your application process goes smoothly.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2025 UNIVERSITY APPLICATION DATES
Universities in South Africa will commence with opening applications in March, with majority opening in May. University applications will then start closing from as early as July.
Universities open already:
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Wits University
University applications will need to submitted on the university websites.
