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Rhodes University is a public university in Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape. Rhodes was founded in 1904 as Rhodes University College and is one of South Africa’s smaller traditional universities, known for a residential, close-knit campus in a small university town.
- Registered name
- Rhodes University
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- ru.ac.za
A university town
Makhanda is a small city whose life revolves around its schools, the university and the annual National Arts Festival. For students, that means a campus where most people live in residences or nearby digs and walk to lectures, which suits students who want a focused academic environment rather than big-city life. Rhodes describes itself as a network of thinkers, creators and changemakers rooted in the Eastern Cape and reaching across the world.
The Campaign for Rhodes University
Rhodes is running what it calls the largest fundraising campaign in its history, with a goal of R1 billion. Rhodes says donations fund student bursaries, research and academic excellence in Makhanda, and that every gift, big or small, makes a difference. For students, the campaign matters because it can expand the bursary money the university itself controls.
Fees, payments and financial aid
Rhodes publishes a full schedule of fees and charges for application, tuition, residence and acceptance, as well as charges for additional and single courses, departmental and society charges, and examination fees. New South African and international students must meet specific fee requirements. International students can pay through Flywire, a secure international payment service Rhodes has partnered with.
Rhodes runs separate undergraduate and postgraduate financial aid offices; the postgraduate office is in Room 206 of the Main Administration Block. The financial aid pages also guide students through NSFAS applications, and note that students without internet access can apply manually by post.
Safety on campus
Rhodes’ Campus Protection Unit runs a 24-hour control room next to Hobson House, 365 days a year, with Rhodes guards in blue uniforms and contract guards patrolling on foot and bicycle. Students should save the unit’s emergency number when they arrive.
The ROSS portal and Rhodes deadlines
Rhodes opened 2027 applications on 1 April 2026 through its ROSS online portal. Undergraduate applications close on 30 September 2026 and most postgraduate applications by 31 October 2026. The admission scale guide below explains how Rhodes weighs results differently from a plain APS.
Counting the cost of Makhanda
Download the current fee schedule and add residence costs, which are a large part of studying in Makhanda. If you visit during the National Arts Festival in winter, you can see the town at its busiest.
Eastern Cape students can compare our Eastern Cape Government Bursaries list.