If you are looking for an international study experience outside the destinations most commonly discussed, consider South Africa. The country offers established universities in cities with varied landscapes and cultures. In this article, we look at current tuition and living-cost estimates for students in South Africa.
Cost of Studying in South Africa
If you are planning to study in South Africa, your tuition fees will generally depend on the university, program, course load, nationality or residency category, and year of study. International students may also have to pay administration, international tuition or term, residence, meal, medical insurance, and other charges. Because universities revise their fees annually, always consult the latest official fee schedule and request an individual quotation before accepting an offer.
At the University of Cape Town, tuition is calculated according to the courses taken. For 2026, the university’s published first-year undergraduate examples range from R46,000 for the first year of the extended Bachelor of Science program to R113,510 for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program, before applicable international charges. International full-degree students pay an annual administrative fee of R5,600. Non-SADC undergraduate coursework students also pay an international term fee of R60,300 if they are from another African country or R80,400 if they are from outside Africa. UCT lists initial 2026 payments of R40,100 for most SADC degree students and R121,700 for most non-SADC undergraduate, honors, and postgraduate diploma students. These are initial payments rather than the complete annual cost. Consult the current UCT fees handbook for the exact course, international, and residence charges that apply to you.
Another leading institution in South Africa is Stellenbosch University. Its 2026 fee yearbook lists estimated first-year tuition examples of R57,767 for a Bachelor of Arts, R72,660 for a Bachelor of Science, approximately R80,625 to R81,563 for several Bachelor of Engineering programs, and R103,110 for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program. These amounts exclude applicable international charges. For bachelor’s students, the international fee schedule shows minimum pre-registration tuition and international tuition fee payments of R45,000 for first-year SADC students, R83,260 for students from African countries outside SADC, and R121,520 for students from outside Africa. These are initial payments, not the complete annual bill. Other international registration, academic service, residence, and meal charges may apply according to the student’s category. Consult the 2026 international-student fee schedule and obtain a personal fee quotation before enrolling.
Cost of Living in South Africa
1. Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of South Africa’s principal economic centers and offers restaurants, museums, markets, entertainment venues, and nightlife. Students can choose from university residences, shared apartments, private rentals, and other accommodation options.
Wits University advises international students to budget approximately R8,000 to R15,000 per month, depending on their accommodation and lifestyle. Its planning guide estimates shared off-campus accommodation at R3,000 to R6,500 per month, a private one-bedroom apartment at R6,000 to R9,000, groceries at R2,000 to R3,000, and public transportation at R500 to R1,000. Transportation options include buses and minibus taxis, while the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system connects central Johannesburg with Soweto. These figures are estimates and will vary by neighborhood and personal spending. See Wits University’s living-cost guide for further details.
2. Cape Town
In addition to its universities, Cape Town offers markets, museums, festivals, beaches, and outdoor attractions. The cost of accommodation varies considerably by suburb, property type, and whether students live alone or share with others.
UCT’s 2026 cost-of-attendance guidance allows up to R9,000 per month for off-campus accommodation, R5,000 for meals, and R2,500 for transportation. These are student budgeting allowances rather than guaranteed citywide prices. Cape Town’s public transportation options include buses, minibus taxis, trains, and metered or app-based taxi services. MyCiTi uses distance-based fares, and its monthly pass costs R1,500 as of July 1, 2026. Check UCT’s cost-of-attendance guidance and the current MyCiTi fare information when preparing your budget.
3. Durban
Durban is known for its Indian Ocean coastline and offers cultural, shopping, sporting, and entertainment attractions. Students should compare the locations of available accommodation carefully because commuting costs will depend on the distance from their campus.
Private rental costs in Durban vary widely by neighborhood, property type, and whether the accommodation is shared. As a current university benchmark, the University of KwaZulu-Natal lists an annual 2026 residence fee of R62,780 for international students. Food, local transportation, and other personal expenses are additional. Durban’s transportation options include municipal buses and minibus taxis, with fares varying by operator and route. Students should consult the UKZN 2026 international fee guide and eThekwini’s transportation information when planning their expenses.
4. Soweto
Soweto forms part of the Johannesburg metropolitan area and has a range of residential neighborhoods and student-housing options. Before signing a lease, students should confirm the property’s distance from their campus, available transportation, security arrangements, and any utility costs that are not included in the rent.
Reliable current averages specifically covering student expenses in Soweto are limited. As a metropolitan-area planning guide rather than a Soweto-specific price quotation, Wits University estimates shared off-campus accommodation in Johannesburg at R3,000 to R6,500 per month, private one-bedroom accommodation at R6,000 to R9,000, groceries at R2,000 to R3,000, and public transportation at R500 to R1,000. Rea Vaya routes connect Soweto with central Johannesburg and other parts of the city. Students should compare these estimates with quotations from their university or an accredited accommodation provider.
5. Pretoria
Pretoria has several universities and offers university residences, accredited private accommodation, shared housing, and independent rentals. Costs depend on the neighborhood, room type, included services, and distance from campus.
The University of Pretoria advises international students to budget approximately R8,000 to R16,000 per month for living expenses. For 2026, examples of single rooms in the university’s Hatfield residences range from R70,700 to R86,400 per year, with meals charged separately. Tshwane Bus Services and A Re Yeng use the Connector fare card, and transportation costs depend on the route and frequency of travel. Consult UP’s pre-arrival guidance, its 2026 residence fees, and the City of Tshwane’s transportation information when preparing your budget.
We hope that this article on the cost of studying and living in South Africa was helpful. For more information, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
