South Africa
Research and professional study across a varied public university system.
Study overview
South Africa has research-intensive universities, comprehensive institutions and universities of technology. Applicant category and programme affect international fees. The qualification, campus and practical living arrangements are therefore central to the comparison.
Uwc Faculty Examples / Year
University of the Western Cape's 2026 overseas-international undergraduate examples: arts/education through science. Not a national range; registration, residence and other charges are separate.
Johannesburg Guide / Month
Wits international-student guide for Johannesburg, before tuition. Other cities, accommodation choices and initial costs differ.
Typical degree length: General bachelor’s commonly 3 years; many professional degrees 4 years or longer. Honours often adds 1 year; master’s duration varies.
Fields: Engineering; health sciences; business; environmental science; humanities; social sciences.
Study and admission
Qualifications and entry routes
Check the institution, qualification level and school-certificate route before comparing offers.
Understanding the university landscape
South Africa’s 26 public universities include institutions with research-oriented, comprehensive and technology-focused provision. Universities South Africa maintains a current member directory linking to each institution. Private higher education is a separate part of the system and requires its own registration and programme checks; a provider’s trading name alone is not sufficient evidence. Match the institution, qualification and delivery site against official records. For regulated occupations, ask the relevant professional council whether the specific programme satisfies its academic requirements and what further registration, practical training or examinations may be required.
Official references
Bachelor’s honours and postgraduate study
The revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework was gazetted on 3 July 2026. It retains distinctions between general and professional bachelor’s qualifications, bachelor honours, postgraduate diplomas, master’s and doctoral study. A general bachelor’s commonly takes three years, while professional routes can be longer. An honours degree normally follows a relevant bachelor’s and develops advanced subject knowledge and research preparation. Master’s admission therefore often requires honours, a relevant postgraduate diploma or an appropriate professional bachelor’s at the required level. A three-year overseas degree should not be assumed to provide direct master’s entry.
Foreign school certificates and admission
Applicants with international school qualifications should check the Universities South Africa Matriculation Board’s exemption requirements for first-degree study. The Board assesses the relevant qualification and subject combination; complete and conditional exemptions serve different routes. An exemption establishes an academic entry condition but does not guarantee a university place. The faculty may impose higher grades, particular subjects, selection exercises or capacity limits. Keep the exemption application distinct from the university application, and ask the institution which documents must be available at application, offer and registration stages. Do not substitute a general credential evaluation without checking.
Language evidence and the NBT
English is widely used in higher education, but the exact language requirements and teaching arrangements belong to the institution and programme. Universities may require recognised English-language evidence where prior study does not meet an exemption. The National Benchmark Tests assess academic and quantitative literacy, with a separate mathematics test used for relevant routes. Their role varies between institutions and faculties: they can inform selection or placement, and are not a universal examination for every international applicant. Check the current prospectus before booking, including which components, test mode and submission deadline apply.
Planning a sustainable study year
Fee category, accommodation and academic support can materially change the cost and experience.
Tuition depends on the applicant category
There is no single national international-student tuition rate. Ask the university for a quotation covering the exact qualification, selected modules and applicant category. Wits, for example, distinguishes SADC students, other international undergraduates and postgraduate students; its current structure applies different tuition and international-registration charges. Residence and medical cover are additional expenses. Check how much must clear before registration, whether a sponsorship letter is accepted, and the rules for cancellation or deferred entry. An initial payment is not necessarily the total annual fee, and published institutional examples should not be transferred to another university.
Housing transport and day-to-day costs
Wits advises international students to budget approximately ZAR 8,000–15,000 monthly for living expenses in Johannesburg, depending on accommodation and lifestyle. This is a local planning guide, not a national price guarantee. Compare university residences with vetted private housing and check whether meals, electricity, internet and holiday occupancy are included. The commute matters as much as the advertised rent: confirm campus transport, evening arrangements and the university’s local safety advice. Budget separately for deposits, medical cover, books, data and travel home, and keep a reserve for expenses due before scholarship payments arrive.
Coursework research and academic recognition
A programme may combine lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, placements and independent assignments, while research degrees require an appropriate project and supervisory arrangements. Read the faculty handbook for assessment, progression and attendance rules, and establish what academic support is available early. Foreign qualifications may need a SAQA evaluation when required by the receiving institution or another authority. SAQA’s comparison does not replace the university’s admission decision or a professional council’s licensing conditions. Keep official transcripts, course descriptions and evidence of practical training, particularly when planning postgraduate study or professional recognition in another country.
Study permission and employment
International students should obtain the immigration permission appropriate to their circumstances and named institution before travelling to begin study. University admission alone is insufficient. Official requirements include financial and health-cover evidence, with the precise checklist supplied by the relevant South African mission and university international office. Government guidance limits part-time work by study-visa holders to no more than 20 hours weekly; confirm the applicable conditions before accepting employment. Do not base essential tuition or living costs on finding a job. Changing institution, extending a course or remaining after graduation may require a separate immigration process.
Entrance and language assessments
National Benchmark Tests
Applies to: Applicants to programmes and faculties that require the NBT.
Academic and Quantitative Literacy is one assessment; Mathematics is a separate assessment for relevant study routes. Universities determine how results inform selection or placement. Test registration is separate from applying for a university place.
English-language proficiency evidence
Applies to: Applicants who do not satisfy their institution’s language exemption.
Use the exact accepted test, minimum score, validity period and exemption policy published by the university. An English-medium school or degree may be considered, but should not be assumed to waive the requirement everywhere.
https://www.rcips.uct.ac.za/students/applications-admission-requirements/language-requirements
Programme selection and practical assessment
Applies to: Selected professional, creative or capacity-limited programmes.
Portfolios, auditions, interviews or additional selection can apply according to the faculty prospectus. Matriculation exemption establishes an entry condition; it is not a competitive selection result or a guarantee of admission.
Scholarships and funding routes
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
Support: Tuition and registration plus defined allowances for study materials, accommodation, meals, medical aid and personal costs; specified international travel support.
Eligibility: Citizens of African countries, normally aged 19–29 in the application year, with excellent undergraduate results and leadership potential.
Application: Apply through the Foundation’s process and separately secure admission to a recognised South African higher education institution.
Conditions: Leadership-development participation is compulsory. University application fees, SAQA evaluation and visa costs are excluded. The Foundation’s call identifies the entry cohort and application period.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UCT
Support: Comprehensive scholarship and academic, mentoring and leadership support, subject to the programme’s award conditions.
Eligibility: The published 2027 call admits African citizens, including South Africans, with academic talent, financial barriers and community-service and leadership potential.
Application: Submit both the UCT academic application and the separate Scholars Program application; scholarship selection requires a university offer.
Conditions: The 2027 call excludes part-time study, research-only master’s and PhDs. Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship dates differ and do not extend the university’s own admission deadline.
DSTI-NRF postgraduate student funding
Support: Full Cost of Study or Partial Cost of Study awards under the published category rules; international students are considered only within the restricted partial-cost allocation.
Eligibility: The 2027 call gives a minimum previous-degree result of 65%; citizenship, age, degree and award-specific conditions must also be met.
Application: Use the NRF application system and the host university’s postgraduate funding office; internal deadlines may be earlier than the national deadline.
Conditions: Full-cost funding is limited to qualifying South African citizens and permanent residents. International funding is highly limited and partial, so admission must not be treated as a funding commitment.
Selected university profiles
Covers all 26 public universities. This sector directory is not the private-provider register; private institutions and professional programme recognition require separate DHET, CHE and professional-council checks.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town organises teaching through six faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science. Its broader academic environment includes the Graduate School of Business and the Centre for Higher Educational Development. Programmes range from first degrees to research postgraduate study. Applicants should compare faculty admission criteria, curriculum and campus arrangements, and use the international office’s guidance to distinguish academic admission from fee clearance and immigration documentation.
- Subjects
- Commerce; Engineering; Health sciences; Humanities; Law; Science
- Address
- Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
- Website
- https://uct.ac.za/
- admissions@uct.ac.za
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, commonly called Wits, offers undergraduate and postgraduate study in Johannesburg. Its five-faculty structure covers commerce, law and management; engineering and the built environment; health sciences; humanities; and science. Academic schools connect professional and disciplinary teaching with research. International applicants need a programme-specific fee calculation because citizenship, immigration category and level of study affect charges. The university’s living-cost guidance also separates Johannesburg accommodation and daily expenses from tuition.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Health sciences; Humanities; Commerce; Law; Science
- Address
- 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.wits.ac.za/
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University has ten faculties spanning agriculture, engineering, medicine and health sciences, arts and social sciences, education, law, science, theology, economic and management sciences, and military science. Interdisciplinary schools address data science and climate studies. Its provision is distributed across more than one campus, including specialised locations. Students should check the programme’s language arrangements and teaching site before accepting an offer. The university’s current contact page replaces its former Matieland postal address with Stellenbosch 7599.
- Subjects
- Agriculture; Engineering; Medicine; Business; Science
- Address
- Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.su.ac.za/en
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria combines nine faculties with the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg. Subjects range from humanities, education and law to engineering, information technology, natural and agricultural sciences, and health disciplines. Veterinary science is based at Onderstepoort, illustrating why the university name alone does not identify a student’s teaching location. Applicants should check both programme admission and campus details, especially for professional courses whose practical training and registration requirements extend beyond lecture-based study.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Veterinary science; Law; Agriculture; Health sciences
- Address
- Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.up.ac.za/
University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg offers study through its College of Business and Economics and faculties covering art, design and architecture, education, engineering and the built environment, health sciences, humanities, law and science. Teaching is spread across Auckland Park Kingsway, Auckland Park Bunting Road, Doornfontein and Soweto campuses. Applicants should identify the exact campus and qualification when comparing courses. Degree, diploma and online options can have different admission conditions, practical components and attendance expectations.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Design; Health sciences; Humanities
- Address
- PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.uj.ac.za/
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal operates across Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with several distinct teaching campuses. Its colleges cover agriculture, engineering and science; health sciences; humanities; and law and management studies. This structure connects scientific, professional and social-science education with a regional research setting. Applicants should use the relevant college and programme information to establish their teaching campus, subject prerequisites and application route. Housing near one UKZN campus may be impractical for a course taught at another.
- Subjects
- Agriculture; Engineering; Health sciences; Humanities; Law
- Address
- Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
- Website
- https://ukzn.ac.za/
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is based in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape. Its six faculties are Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy and Science. The academic directory includes journalism and media studies, languages, environmental science, computer science, and ichthyology and fisheries science alongside other disciplines. A residential setting supports campus-based study, but students should confirm accommodation separately from academic admission. Faculty rules explain subject combinations, progression and professional requirements, making them an important companion to the general programme description.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Journalism; Pharmacy; Science; Commerce
- Address
- PO Box 94, Makhanda 6140, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.ru.ac.za/
University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape offers study through seven faculties: Arts and Humanities, Community and Health Sciences, Dentistry, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Law and Natural Sciences. Its Bellville base forms part of the wider Cape Town metropolitan area. The university provides dedicated international-student, residential and academic-support information. Applicants should examine the programme’s subject requirements and any professional accreditation, and confirm the location of clinical or practical teaching rather than assuming every activity takes place on the main campus.
- Subjects
- Dentistry; Community health; Law; Natural sciences; Humanities
- Address
- Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.uwc.ac.za/
Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University’s teaching and research extend across Gqeberha and George. Its academic range includes business and economic sciences, education, engineering, health sciences, humanities, law and science. The Ocean Sciences Campus provides a focus for interdisciplinary coastal and marine work, while George offers a different regional setting linked to environmental and sustainability questions. Applicants should verify the campus named for their qualification and the practical components of the curriculum before planning travel and accommodation.
- Subjects
- Ocean sciences; Engineering; Business; Health sciences; Humanities
- Address
- PO Box 77000, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6031, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.mandela.ac.za/
- info@mandela.ac.za
North-West University
North-West University is an integrated institution with campuses in Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark. Its eight faculties cover economic and management sciences, education, engineering, health sciences, humanities, law, natural and agricultural sciences, and theology. Both contact and distance-learning routes appear in its provision. Students should confirm the mode, campus and language arrangements of the chosen qualification rather than assuming every course is available at all three sites. The international admissions route also requires the appropriate qualification and immigration documentation.
- Subjects
- Education; Engineering; Health sciences; Business; Agriculture
- Address
- Private Bag X1290, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
- Website
- https://www.nwu.ac.za/
- studies@nwu.ac.za
Further institutions
| Institution | Location and type | Official website | Book page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology | Cape Town / Bellville / Wellington / Public university of technology | https://www.cput.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Central University of Technology | Bloemfontein / Welkom / Public university of technology | https://www.cut.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Durban University of Technology | Durban / Pietermaritzburg / Public university of technology | https://www.dut.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology | Umlazi / Durban / Public university of technology | https://www.mut.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Tshwane University of Technology | Pretoria / multiple campuses / Public university of technology | https://www.tut.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Vaal University of Technology | Vanderbijlpark / Public university of technology | https://www.vut.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of South Africa | Pretoria / distance education / Public distance university | https://www.unisa.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of Fort Hare | Alice / East London / Public university | https://www.ufh.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of the Free State | Bloemfontein / Qwaqwa / Public university | https://www.ufs.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of Limpopo | Mankweng / Public university | https://www.ul.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of Venda | Thohoyandou / Public university | https://www.univen.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of Zululand | KwaDlangezwa / Richards Bay / Public university | https://www.unizulu.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Walter Sisulu University | Mthatha / Buffalo City / Butterworth / Komani / Public university | https://www.wsu.ac.za/en/ | 263 |
| Sol Plaatje University | Kimberley / Public university | https://www.spu.ac.za/ | 263 |
| University of Mpumalanga | Mbombela / Siyabuswa / Public university | https://www.ump.ac.za/ | 263 |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University | Ga-Rankuwa / Public health-sciences university | https://www.smu.ac.za/ | 263 |