Regarding education in Africa, South Africa is one of the leading countries where you can get quality education. The universities in this country are not only globally recognized, but they are also well-equipped and properly funded. There are a lot of cheap universities in South Africa where you can easily do your undergraduate or graduate studies.
Many people are often confused when it comes to schooling in South Africa. They often wonder if any cheap or affordable institutions offer quality education in the country.
There are a lot of well-recognized universities in South Africa that offer accredited programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students at an affordable cost. If you want to know more about these universities, you have come to the right place.
8 of the Best Cheap Universities in South Africa and Tuition Fees
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There are a lot of top universities in South Africa that offer various degree programs at an affordable cost. Here is a list of 8 cheap universities and their tuition fees.
1. Rhodes University
Regarding quality and affordable universities in South Africa, Rhodes University is one of the universities that should come to your mind. This university was founded in 1904 through funds created by the Rhodes Trust. It was named after a lady called Cyril Rhodes. This university is located at Drosty Rd, Grahamstown, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa.
Rhodes University is ranked among the top 5 ranked schools in South Africa and among the top 700 universities in the world. There are different programs you can study at this university. Programs range from the humanities to science, commerce, law, education, pharmacy, etc. These programs are available for both local and international students.
The tuition fee at this university is also affordable as undergraduate studies cost between 21,000 and 31,000 rands for local students. In addition, it ranges between 36,000 and 39,000 rands for international students.
2. The University of Pretoria, South Africa
The University of Pretoria is among cheap universities in South Africa with low tuition fees. It is one of the most renowned in the country. The University of Pretoria is one of the largest educational institutes in the country, and it has students from all over the world. This university is located at Lynnwood Rd, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa, and was founded in 1908.
This university boasts of providing over 1000 programs for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. They also offer programs for part-time and online students. The programs offered by this university include technology management, medicine, public management, vet science, healthcare science, and more. They are rated among the top 600 universities in the world according to QS rankings. They are also ranked among the top 900 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education Rankings.
Depending on the course you want to study, the tuition fee for this university ranges between 35,00 to 76,000 rands for domestic students and 35,000 to 152,000 rands for international students. This makes it also one of the cheapest universities in South Africa. The application process for this university also varies, depending on the program you intend to study and your nationality.
3. Saint Augustine College of South Africa
Saint Augustine College of South Africa is a private institution that offers one of the most affordable undergraduate and postgraduate programs in South Africa. An institution seeks to promote a diverse and loving environment for its students. Its mission is to help others improve their lives by teaching them moral values to serve society better in the future. It is located at Cedarwood Office Park, Mount Lebanon Rd, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191, South Africa, and was founded in November 1997.
This university offers undergraduate courses such as arts, commerce, and theology. They also offer graduate programs in theology, philosophy, culture & education, and much more. There are also various short degree courses you can study at this university. These include vision and value in education, parent effectiveness training, mysticism, reconciliation & nation building, and much more.
The tuition fee for this institution largely depends on the course you intend to study and the program you want to run. For both international and domestic students’ tuition fees range between 9,000 and 52,000 rands making it one of the cheap universities in South Africa. However, this fee might increase if it is a postgraduate program you intend to do.
4. University of Kwazula Natal
The University of KwaZula Natal was founded in 2004 after a merger between 2 major universities, namely the University of Natal and the University of Durban- Westville. It is at 238 Mazisi Kunene Rd, Glenwood, Durban, 4041, South Africa. It prides itself on establishing a structure that focuses on the growth and development of its students. KwaZulu Natal University is an ideal university for undergraduate studies as it is known for its research-led facilities.
This university consists of 4 major colleges. These colleges offer courses ranging from agriculture to medicine, physics, public health, religion, social science, law and management studies, and much more. These courses cover both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. The University of Kwazulu Natal is highly regarded as it is ranked among the top 800 universities in the world, according to QS. USNews also ranks it among the top 400 universities in the world.
The tuition fee at this university ranges between 31,438 to 61,460 rand for domestic undergraduate students and 31,438 to 219,430 rand for international students. There are also various scholarship programs available for domestic and international students. You can easily apply for a scholarship if you meet the criteria.
5. University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a leading public institution in South Africa. This university was founded on 1st October 1829, making it the oldest living university in South Africa. It is located at Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa, and boasts over 25,000 students. This university started as a college for secondary school boys and later evolved into a university in the early 19th century. The University of Cape Town is a leading school in academic learning, as almost all its academic staff are Ph.D. holders.
This university offers courses ranging from fine arts to economics, civil engineering, electrical engineering, medicine, and more. All these courses are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Individuals within and outside the country can easily apply to study for these programs.
The University of Cape Town is one of the cheap universities in South Africa with affordable tuition fees. It ranges between 22,000 and 64,000 rands for domestic undergraduate and postgraduate students. International students’ tuition fees can rise as high as 75,000 rands. There are also various scholarship programs available at this university. The University of Cape Town, South Africa, ranks among the top 120 universities in the world.
6. University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg is another public university ideal for your studies. This university was founded on January 1, 2005. It resulted from a merger between 3 major universities, namely the Rand Afrikaans University, the Technikon Witwatersrand, and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista university. This university has over 40,000 students, with more than 5,000 of them being international students.
This university offers undergraduate courses, including industrial psychology, accounting, fashion design, applied physics, tourism development & management, and more. They also offer master’s degree programs in education, clinical social work, business administration, etc. These courses are available to both domestic and international students.
International and domestic students’ tuition fees range between 23,190 and 60,370 rands at the University of Johannesburg. The university is also among the top-rated universities in South Africa, as it is listed among the best 500 in the QS ranking. It is also among the top 500 in the USNews ranking of world universities.
7. Mangosuthu University of Technology
The Mangosuthu University of Technology is a leading university of technology located at 511 Griffiths Mxenge Hwy, Umlazi, Durban, 4031, South Africa. This university was founded in 1979 and has more than 10,000 students. The university has several affiliations with the Commonwealth University Association and the African University Association.
This reputable university is ranked among the top 6000 universities in the world, according to Edurank. It is also ranked among the top 8,000 universities in the world, according to UNIrank. You can study several undergraduate courses at this university, such as environmental health, chemistry, nature conservation, etc. The university also runs a graduate program for students looking to pursue postgraduate studies.
This university charges 9,000 to 35,000 rands for domestic and international undergraduate students making it one of the cheapest universities in South Africa.
8. University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare is a popular public university known for its low tuition fees. This university was founded in 1916 and has a rich history of fighting political apartheid. The University of Fort Hare is located at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus, Ring Road, Alice, 5700, South Africa.
This university boasts a practical-based education style that allows students to deal effectively with today’s challenges. It also boasts over 10,000 students studying various courses across its campuses. You can study different courses at this university, such as fine arts, theology, social work, music, etc. These courses apply to both graduate and undergraduate programs.
The tuition fee at this university is remarkably affordable as you can easily study there for as low as 18,000 rands. It is ranked as one of the cheap universities in South Africa. Depending on your chosen course, the tuition fee can rise as high as 45,000 rands.
How to Apply for a Scholarship at South African Universities?
You can use different methods to apply for scholarships at South African universities. The method you should use largely depends on the school and the scholarship application process. You will be required to apply for a scholarship online for some schools. There are usually several portals that are occasionally open for students to submit applications for scholarships. You can use any of these school portals to apply for their scholarships.
You can also apply manually at the school premises, besides an online application. That is if you are a student and resident at the school. Lastly, you can apply through a third-party organization that finds scholarships for interested students.
Whichever method you use, you must check the scholarship requirements and guidelines before you apply. This will allow you to know if you are eligible for the scholarship.
How Can I Obtain a Student Visa in South Africa?
Obtaining a student visa after applying to one of the cheap universities in South Africa is relatively easy. All you need to do is apply for the visa online and confirm your admission to a registered university in South Africa. Once you have done this, download the BL-1738 form and complete it. Schedule an appointment with the embassy and present your relevant documents. Lastly, pay the application fee and wait for feedback.
While applying for a student visa, you must know that there are several requirements you must meet. These requirements include medical records, health coverage, proof of adequate finances, and much more.
Can International Students Work In South Africa
Yes, international students can work in South Africa as long as they have a valid student visa. Before opting to work, you must know there is a limit to the number of hours you can put in at work with a student visa.
Conclusion
There are a lot of cheap universities in South Africa where you can study as a domestic or international student. These universities have a very high standard and are globally recognized.
We have discussed some of these universities in this article. Go through the list, pick the university that interests you, and apply to study there.