This guide provides a complete list of application fees for all 26 public universities in South Africa for 2026. Discover which universities are free to apply, which require payment, and how the CAO system works.
| # | University Name | Application Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Peninsula Univ. of Tech (CPUT) | Free (Online) R100 (Manual) |
R100 for manual applications. |
| 2 | Central Univ. of Tech (CUT) | Free | No application fee. |
| 3 | Durban Univ. of Tech (DUT) | R250 | Apply through the CAO (KZN system). |
| 4 | Mangosuthu Univ. of Tech (MUT) | R250 | Apply through the CAO. |
| 5 | Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | Free | Online applications only. |
| 6 | North-West University (NWU) | Free | For South African citizens. |
| 7 | Rhodes University (RU) | R100 | Standard fee. |
| 8 | Sefako Makgatho (SMU) | R300 | Health sciences focus. |
| 9 | Sol Plaatje University (SPU) | Free | No fee. |
| 10 | Stellenbosch University (SU) | R100 | Fee waivers available. |
| 11 | Tshwane Univ. of Tech (TUT) | R240 | Non-refundable. |
| 12 | University of Cape Town (UCT) | R100 | SADC applicants also pay. |
| 13 | University of Fort Hare (UFH) | Free (Online) R120 |
Manual fee applies. |
| 14 | Univ. of the Free State (UFS) | Free | No online fee. |
| 15 | Univ. of Johannesburg (UJ) | Free (Online) R200 |
Manual fee applies. |
| 16 | Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | R250 | Via CAO. |
| 17 | University of Limpopo (UL) | R200 | Non-refundable. |
| 18 | University of Mpumalanga (UMP) | R200 | EFT payment. |
| 19 | University of Pretoria (UP) | R300 | Waivers possible. |
| 20 | Univ. of South Africa (UNISA) | R135 - R150 | Varies yearly. |
| 21 | University of Venda (UNIVEN) | R100 | Online fee. |
| 22 | Univ. of the Western Cape (UWC) | Free | No fee. |
| 23 | Univ. of the Witwatersrand (Wits) | R100 | SA citizens. |
| 24 | University of Zululand (UniZulu) | R250 | Via CAO. |
| 25 | Vaal Univ. of Technology (VUT) | R100 | Standard. |
| 26 | Walter Sisulu University (WSU) | Free (Online) R100 |
Manual routes may charge. |
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