Registration Fees for SA Universities (2026 Academic Year)
By Vusi
·
Jan 9, 2026
When preparing to register at a university, one of the most important things to know is the registration fee. This is the amount some universities require before you can register and secure your space.
Below is a breakdown of registration fees charged by South African universities for the 2026 academic year.
NSFAS Funded Students: What You Should Know
If you are funded by NSFAS:
- If NSFAS approved your funding, you can register for free. Learn more here
- Registration fees or upfront payments are often refunded later
- This happens once NSFAS pays the university
- However, delays can occur, so always keep proof of payment
Registration Fees by University
- University of Pretoria (UP): R10,000
- University of Johannesburg (UJ): R5,950
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): R10,000
- North-West University (NWU): R11,900
- University of the Free State (UFS): R9,500
- University of Mpumalanga (UMP): R4,525
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): R1,500
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): R4,645
- Walter Sisulu University (WSU): R5,690
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU): R9,300
- University of Limpopo (UL): R5,000
- University of Venda (UNIVEN): R5,000
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT): R2,200
- University of the Western Cape (UWC): R4,290
Important Note About Some Universities
Not all universities charge a registration fee.
Some institutions, such as:
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Free State (in certain cases)
do not require a registration fee. Instead, students are asked to pay an initial amount toward tuition fees before registration is finalized.
This amount is usually credited to your student account and forms part of your total tuition.
Very Important Reminder
- Do not register at more than one university
- Dual registration can cause serious NSFAS problems
- You may lose your funding completely
These amounts are for the 2025 academic year and may change for the 2026 academic year.
Always:
- Check the university’s official website
- Confirm the latest fees before making any payment
