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Fee Structure for International Students

All international students (those who are not South African citizens or who do not have permanent residence status in South Africa) are required by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to provide proof of available funds prior to receiving his/her study visa. 

Students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries pay annual local tuition fees, international registeration fee (IRF) and related costs. The SADC member countries are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

International undergraduate students from outside of SADC pay double the local tuition fees.

Fees for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Diplomats and their dependants stationed in South Africa, occasional international students, and international Wits employees and their dependants are listed below.

For fees clearance at time of registration, complete the On-line Fee Estimator (accessible on the Student Self Service Portal) for the annual tuition fees, other related costs and the on-campus accommodation fee (if applicable). Forward the proof of payment and copy of the Fees Estimate to FeesOffice.Finance@wits.ac.za.

Please note that fees are increased annually depending on inflation and the University operational needs.

Who Pays What?
  • International Students who are married (including same sex marriages) to SA citizens or permanent residents - pay international fees until they have obtained SA citizenship or permanent residency.
  • International Students who are in life partnerships with SA citizens or permanent residents - pay international fees until they have obtained SA citizenship or permanent residency. 
  • International Students who pay SA taxes (e.g. contract workers or temporary residents) - the criterion of paying tax in South Africa does not change a person’s immigration status and as such it is not sufficient for a reduction in international fees.
  • International Students who pay SADC taxes - paying tax in a SADC country does not change a person’s immigration status and as such does not qualify for exemption from international fees.
  • SA & SADC Temporary Residents - If there is an expiry visa date and if individuals are required to renew residence status periodically, then such individuals are not permanent residents of the country and do not qualify to pay local fees.
  • SA Permanent Resident Applicants under Review (including those married to SA residents/citizens) - there is no guarantee that permanent residence status will be granted. Until such status is granted, international fees apply.
  • International Students who are children of South African citizens or Permanent Residents - pay international fees until they themselves have obtained SA citizenship or permanent residency.

Note:

The immigration status at the time of registration determines the annual fees.
If you are granted permanent residence status during the course of your year of study, your citizenship details must be updated at the International Students Office.
However, your fees paid at the beginning of the year will not be refunded or amended.  The new fees will only apply in the next academic year. 

 

Undergraduate International students from SADC countries

International undergraduate students from countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) must pay:

  • International Registration Fee (IRF) of R6 970.00.  This fee is non refundable.
  • Tuition fees for individual courses
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees

The SADC member countries are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Category  Fees Charged  International Registration Fee (IRF)  TOTAL Payable before registration
Undergraduate 1  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
  • 1Part-time: local tuition plus IRF fees apply; to all students (SADC, Africa and Rest of the World).
Undergraduate International students: Africa (Beyond SADC) & the Rest of the World

Undergraduate international students from Africa (Beyond SADC) & the Rest of the World must pay the following fees:

  • Double tuition for individual courses
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees
Category  Fees Charged  International Registration Fee (IRF)  TOTAL Payable before registration 
Undergraduate 1  Double Tuition   75% of total cost 
  • 1Part-time: local tuition plus IRF fees apply; to all students (SADC, Africa and Rest of the World).
Postgraduate International Students

Postgraduate international students must pay:

  • International Registration Fee (IRF) of R6 970.00.  This fee is non refundable.
  • Tuition fees for individual courses
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees
Category  Fees Charged  International Registration Fee (IRF)  TOTAL Payable before registration
Certificates Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Diplomas  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Honours  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Masters  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
PhD  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 

 

Refugees

International students who are officially recognised as Refugees pay local tuition fees.  Payment terms apply as per South African students:

  • Tuition fees for individual courses
  • Any applicable residence fees
Asylum Seekers

International students who are officially recognised as Asylum Seekers pay:

  • International Registration Fee (IRF) of R6 970.00. This fee is non refundable.
  • Tuition fees for individual courses
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees
Category  Fees Charged  International Registration Fee (IRF)  TOTAL Payable before registration
Undergraduate  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Certificates Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Diplomas  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Honours  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Masters  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
PhD  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Study Abroad/Occasional Local tuition R6,970   100% payable 
Diplomatic representatives (or their dependents)

Accredited diplomatic representatives of a foreign government stationed in South Africa pay fees at the same rate as students from SADC countries:

  • International Registration Fee (IRF) of R6 970.00. This fee is non refundable.
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees

Diplomats and their dependents stationed in South Africa: Fees apply whilst a student’s diplomatic status is valid; proof is required for each year of registration. Should this status end, the student will revert to his/her nationality status and all regular international registration fees will apply accordingly.

Study Abroad/ Occasional

Occasional students from:

SADC pay:

  • International Registration Fee (IRF) of R6 970.00. This fee is non refundable.
  • 75% of total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees

Outside of SADC pay:

  • R54,820 per semester
  • Total cost is payable before registration
  • Any applicable residence fees

 

 

International Wits Employees & their dependents

International Wits employees and their dependents Staff bursaries are for permanent employees of the University and managed via Human Resources.

Category  Fees Charged  International Registration Fee (IRF)  TOTAL Payable before registration
Undergraduate  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Certificates Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Diplomas  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Honours  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Masters  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
PhD  Local tuition  R6,970  75% of total cost 
Study Abroad/Occasional Local tuition R6,970   100% payable 
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