Want to study bachelor’s or master’s in South Africa? You are not the only one! More than 40,000 international students enroll in South African universities each year. Some of the main reasons for this growing trend are:
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the affordable education and living expenses
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the diverse and unique culture and society
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the natural beauty of the country
Before you decide if studying in South Africa is right for you, let’s first take a look at tuition fees and living costs:
1. University tuition fees in South Africa
Tuition fees at public universities
There are over 20 public universities in South Africa, and tuition fees vary depending on their policy, the type and length of studies, the student’s nationality, and so on.
Let’s take the University of the Witwatersrand as an example:
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Bachelor’s degrees: double local tuition; you pay twice as much as local students, who usually pay between 1,500–3,850 EUR per study program.
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Master’s degrees: double local tuition, you pay twice as much as local students who typically pay between €720 and €12,800 for their program of study. You will also have to pay an additional International Registration Fee (IRF) of EUR 340.
Students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, etc.) pay the same tuition fees as local South African students.
This fee does not include the cost of books and other learning materials or (sports) club membership fees.
Tuition fees in private universities
Private universities in South Africa can be more expensive. Methods for calculating tuition fees may also differ. Some use one amount for the entire curriculum, others use a "price per credit" system.
Cornerstone Institute, for example, uses a “price per credit” system. The price of one credit is between 14 to 30 euros, and the study program is between 120 to 144 credits per year. Take note that there are additional fees.
2. Student living costs in South Africa
International students will need between €300 and €750 to cover their monthly living expenses in South Africa. The total may increase or decrease depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.
The official currency is the South African Rand (ZAR or R). At the time of this writing, 1 euro is approximately 18.83 ZAR.
3. Accommodation costs for students
There are two main types of student accommodation:
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University dormitories: 150–250 EUR/month. Students can choose from different types of rooms (e.g. single, double) and prices vary from university to university.
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Renting a flat: 300–715 EUR/month depending on the number of rooms and the proximity to the city center. You can share a larger apartment with other students to save money. Monthly utilities (70–150 EUR) are paid separately.
4. Transportation costs
The three main modes of transportation are:
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Train (commuter or express)
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Buses (subsidized or unsubsidized)
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Taxi
A one-month pass costs about 35 euros, excluding student discounts. However, many people regularly choose a taxi. The entrance fee is 1 euro and you have to pay 0.60 euros per kilometer.
5. University Scholarships and Grants
Below is a list of online sites and databases with scholarships and grants for students wishing to study in South Africa.
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Scholars4dev: Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships in South Africa.
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Scholarship portal: South African Scholarships.
Alternatively, you should check the official website of your preferred higher education institution. Here you can find information about the various scholarships or financial aid offered by the university.
