Study costs
Compare published tuition and estimated study costs.
First-year tuition, lowest first
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Lowest
R52 050 to R80 750 2026 first year, estimated range- Programme
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) General
- Whole degree
- roughly R156 150 to R242 250over 3 years
- In pay
- 2 to 4 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R55,685-R117,962
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less. The university publishes only a faculty fee range, not a programme fee, so each end of the range is shown.
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: entry requirements and dates
University of Johannesburg
R52 140 to R87 000 2026 first year, estimated range- Programme
- Bachelor of Science in Life and Environmental Sciences (e.g. Botany and Zoology, B2L12Q)
- Whole degree
- roughly R156 420 to R261 000over 3 years
- In pay
- 2 to 4 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R39,240-R63,480 for undergraduate rooms (meals excluded; most Kingsway, APB and DFC residences R41,940-R46,940 double and R48,090-R50,400 single); off-campus Sophia Town R69,920; postgraduate and postdoc flats up to R74,640
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less. The university publishes only a faculty fee range, not a programme fee, so each end of the range is shown.
North-West University
R54 004 2026 first year- Programme
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) - general (e.g. with Chemistry and Physics; BSc in Biological Sciences; BSc in Environmental Sciences)
- Whole degree
- roughly R162 012over 3 years
- In pay
- 3 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R31,050-R55,080
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less.
University of KwaZulu-Natal
R65 881 2026 first year- Programme
- Bachelor of Science (B Sc Generic Degree), life and earth sciences majors (KN-P-BG4 Pietermaritzburg / KN-W-BG4 Westville)
- Whole degree
- roughly R197 643over 3 years
- In pay
- 3 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R48,896 per year for all degrees (2026 residence fee, self-catering, excludes meals; R6,800 residence registration deposit). The 2027 prospectus estimates about R85,000 for tuition, a bed in residence and food in 2027.
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less.
Stellenbosch University
R72 660 2026 first year- Programme
- BSc (Biodiversity and Ecology / Chemistry / Physics / Earth Science / Human Life Sciences / Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)
- Whole degree
- roughly R217 980over 3 years
- In pay
- 3 to 4 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R49,482-R84,796
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less.
University of Pretoria
R75 000 to R95 000 2026 first year, estimated range- Programme
- Bachelor of Science (specialised streams, e.g. BSc Biochemistry, BSc Microbiology, BSc Zoology)
- Whole degree
- roughly R225 000 to R285 000over 3 years
- In pay
- 4 to 5 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R65,700-R105,800 (room only), plus a R14,400 meals charge listed for every undergraduate residence, including self-catering ones; the full (100%) meal fee is R65,000
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less. The university publishes only a faculty fee range, not a programme fee, so each end of the range is shown.
University of the Free State
R76 350 2026 first year- Programme
- Bachelor of Science specialising in Biological Sciences (programme code B4310), e.g. Biochemistry and Microbiology (BC431939)
- Whole degree
- roughly R229 050over 3 years
- In pay
- 4 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R38,050-R59,435
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less.
University of Cape Town
R87 000 2026 first year- Programme
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) - majors include Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Genetics, Geology, Marine Biology, Astrophysics and Environmental & Geographical Science
- Whole degree
- roughly R261 000over 3 years
- In pay
- 4 monthsof Natural Sciences pay in South Africa, at its high and low estimate
- Residence, per year
- R61,300-R120,910 for the room alone; a typical first-tier catering single room is R89,520 and a compulsory meal option adds R25,520-R45,390
Whole degree = first-year fee × 3; later years can cost more or less.
Rough guide: whole degree = first-year tuition × years. Fees rise every year; add books, equipment, transport and living costs.