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International Students Office (ISO)

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Fee Structure for international students

All international students must provide proof of funds to the Department of Home Affairs before receiving a study visa.

Your fees depend on your citizenship, immigration status, and what you are studying. Find your category below to see what you will pay.

Important notes

  • Fees increase annually based on inflation and the university's operational needs. The amounts shown here are guidelines. Always check the current year's fee schedule.
  • Payment must clear before registration. Plan your international money transfers to arrive at least 10 working days before you plan to register. Late payments may delay your registration.
  • Accommodation is separate. If you are staying in university residence, accommodation fees are additional and must be included in your 75% upfront payment.
  • Medical aid is not included. Your medical aid fees are paid directly to your medical aid provider, not to Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½. However, you must show proof of valid medical aid before the International Students Office can issue clearance to register.
SADC Students

If you're from: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, or Zimbabwe

Undergraduate Students

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Same as South African students (local tuition)
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if you're staying in a university residence
  • Part-time students: Pay local tuition + R6,970 IRF

Postgraduate Students

All postgraduate SADC students pay the same, regardless of level:

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

This applies to Certificates, Diplomas, Honours, Master's, and PhD programmes.

Rest of Africa and the rest of the world

If you're from: Any country outside the SADC region

Undergraduate Students

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Double the local tuition fees
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): Not applicable
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if you're staying in a university residence

Part-time students: Pay local tuition + R6,970 IRF (not double tuition)

Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate students from anywhere in the world pay the same as SADC students.

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

This applies to Certificates, Diplomas, Honours, Master's, and PhD programmes

Refugees

Who qualifies: Foreign nationals with refugee status from UNHCR, holding a South African ID book stamped"refugee status"

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition (same as South African students)
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): Not applicable
  • Payment schedule: Same payment terms as South African students
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

This applies to all study levels: undergraduate, certificates, diplomas, honours, master's, and PhD.

Important:

The Refugee Act, Act No. 130 of 1998 (Section 27) provides refugees with the right to study without a study visa. However, you must keep your refugee permit current and update the International Students Office each time you renew it.

Asylum Seekers

Who qualifies: Persons holding a valid Section 22 permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

This applies to all study levels: undergraduate, certificates, diplomas, honours, masters, PhD, and studyabroad/occasional programmes.

Important:

You must update the International Students Office each time you renew your Section 22 permit. If your permit expires without updating ISO, you may be automatically deregistered.

Diplomats and dependents

Who qualifies: Children and dependents (under 23 years of age) of accredited diplomatic staff stationed inSouth Africa

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition (same as SADC students)
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

Important Conditions

These fees apply ONLY while the diplomat is stationed in South Africa.

Once the diplomatic posting ends, the student automatically reverts to their citizenship fee category. For example, if you're a Kenyan citizen and your parents' diplomatic posting in South Africa ends, you'll pay the fees applicable to students from Kenya (Rest of Africa category).

These benefits are not transferable to another country or another diplomatic posting.

Proof required: You must provide a letter from your Embassy or Mission each year confirming:

  • Your parent/guardian's diplomatic employment and position
  • Posting station and dates
  • Confirmation of medical aid coverage for you

Spouses of Diplomats

Spouses of diplomatic staff do not automatically qualify for fee exemptions. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) reviews each case individually on its merits.

Study Abroad / Occasional Students

Who qualifies: Non-degree students studying at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ for one or two semesters

From SADC Countries

What you pay:
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 (non-refundable)
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition
  • Payment: 100% due before registration (no instalment option)
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

From Outside SADC

What you pay:
  • Flat semester fee: R54,820 per semester
  • Payment: 100% due before registration (no instalment option)
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

Note: Study abroad students pay upfront for the full period because they're here for a limited time.

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ employees and dependents

Who qualifies: Dependents of permanent international Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University employees

What you pay:
  • Tuition fees: Local tuition
  • International Registration Fee (IRF): R6,970 per year (non-refundable)
  • Payment schedule: 75% due before registration, remaining 25% by 30 June
  • Plus: Accommodation fees if applicable

This applies to all study levels: undergraduate, certificates, diplomas, honours, master's, PhD, and studyabroad/occasional programmes.

Note:

Staff bursaries for permanent employees are managed separately through Human Resources. Contact HRfor information about employee bursary benefits.

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