Understanding the cost of studying at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is essential before you register. This guide covers application and registration fees, estimated tuition costs, NSFAS funding, and other financial support available to UJ students.
UJ bills tuition per module rather than as one flat annual figure, so your total cost depends on exactly which modules you register for. Across a full academic year, undergraduate and postgraduate tuition for the 2026 cycle generally falls somewhere between roughly R37,980 and R86,170, though the exact number shifts with your specific combination of modules and their credit weightings.
Compulsory Charges at Registration
Two non-refundable charges apply to every student, regardless of qualification:
- Registration fee: R650
- ICT levy: R500
On top of these, a minimum upfront payment is required before registration can proceed:
- Day students: R5,950
- Residence students: R9,850
If you cancel your registration entirely afterward, the ICT levy and registration fee stay non-refundable, though other charges may be adjusted depending on when you cancel.
International Student Levies
International students face an additional, non-refundable levy on top of the standard charges:
- SADC and other African countries: R2,090
- All other countries: R17,780
This levy expires on 31 December of the registration year and isn’t carried over. International undergraduate and postgraduate students also pay 40% of their full annual cost upfront at registration, rather than the flat minimum amount domestic students pay.
How Module Costs Are Calculated
Because tuition is priced per module, your total depends on each module’s credit weighting, typically 10 to 30 credits, along with whether it involves laboratory work, studio time, or other resource-intensive components that push the cost higher. A specialised 10-credit module, for instance, can run to around R14,140 on its own, while standard lecture-based modules generally cost less per credit than lab- or studio-based ones.
Paying Off Your Tuition Across the Year
Once your initial payment is made, the remaining balance follows a set instalment schedule:
| Milestone | Amount Due |
|---|---|
| At registration | 40% of tuition fees |
| By 30 April | 70% of tuition fees |
| By 31 July | 100% of tuition fees |
The 40% due at registration is the same initial portion referenced above for day and residence students.
Fees typically rise by 5–10% each year, so figures confirmed for one intake won’t carry over exactly to the next. Check with the university directly toward the end of the year for the approved rates for the following academic year.
What Is NSFAS, and Does UJ Accept It?
Yes. UJ is fully approved by NSFAS. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme provides government funding to qualifying South African undergraduate students from lower-income households.
NSFAS Eligibility Criteria
- South African citizenship, with valid documentation.
- Household income not exceeding R350,000 per annum.
- Registered for an undergraduate qualification (NSFAS does not fund short courses, part-time study, or most postgraduate programmes).
How NSFAS Works at UJ
- UJ receives your NSFAS funding confirmation automatically.
- NSFAS-funded students are exempt from paying the minimum registration fee upfront.
- First-year NSFAS students specifically do not need to pay the minimum amount.
- Returning (“senior”) NSFAS students with outstanding debt must complete the Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) process before they can register.