UCT Fees 2027: Application, Registration, and Tuition Guide
UCT is one of the highest-ranked universities in South Africa. It uses a course-based fee system where you pay for each academic course you take.
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The fees include an application fee, registration requirements, tuition costs, and provisions for NSFAS-funded students.
Fee amounts vary by your citizenship status, programme, and faculty.
Official UCT information should be consulted for fee handbooks and exact programme costs.
Application Fee 2027 (Non-refundable)
The application fee is required when you submit your application to UCT.
This fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.
For most undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications from South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the fee is R100.
Applicants from outside the SADC region must pay R300.
If you are applying to the Graduate School of Business (GSB), separate application fees apply.
South African and African residents pay a higher GSB application fee, and international applicants pay in US dollars.
You can pay the application fee online by credit card, through electronic funds transfer (EFT), or by depositing cash at the UCT Cashiers Office on campus.
Paying your application fee only confirms you have paid the fee and does not guarantee admission into any programme.
Registration Fee 2027 (Initial Payment)
At UCT, there is no separate “registration fee” in the way some universities have seat reservation fees.
Instead, your academic tuition fee includes the cost of registration.
Registration means you have paid the initial fee requirement for the year in order to start classes.
South African students, SADC students, and international students have varying registration requirements depending on overall costs and payment deadlines published in the UCT Fees Handbook.
Initial fee payment obligations usually require you to settle a portion of your total annual fee liability before registration.
If fees have not been paid by the published deadlines for the academic year, you may not be allowed to register for classes until those amounts are settled.
Tuition Fee Structure per Faculty
UCT does not publish a single flat tuition fee for all students.
Instead, it operates a course-based fee structure, which means you pay for each course you enrol in.
The total tuition fee for your year of study is the sum of all the course fees you take.
This approach applies to undergraduate programmes as well as postgraduate qualifications. The cost of courses varies from faculty to faculty.
Programmes in commerce, engineering, health sciences, humanities, law, and science each have different fee ranges.
While official 2027 figures must be confirmed in the UCT Fees Handbook, past data indicate that faculty fee ranges differ significantly.
For example, undergraduate tuition for Commerce and Management Science, Humanities, or Science will vary based on the number of courses taken and specific course codes.
In addition to tuition, your annual fee includes:
- Library access
- Laboratory and tutorial costs
- University examinations
- Compulsory personal accident insurance
- Use of general sporting facilities
Fees do not cover student society memberships, accommodation, or optional services.
Tuition for Graduate School of Business programmes is published separately on the GSB page with fee schedules for each programme.
These schedules include detailed annual costs for programmes like MBA, postgraduate diplomas, and other master’s programmes with differentiated rates for African and international students.
How to Pay Your Fees (Bank Details)
UCT provides clear banking details for students and funders to pay tuition and other student fees.
Payments to your student fees account should be made into the official UCT bank account with your student number as the reference.
The key bank details are:
Account Name: University of Cape Town, Current Account
Bank Name: Standard Bank South Africa
Branch: Rondebosch
Branch Code: 025009
Account Number: 27 068 9982
This account is used for payments covering tuition, accommodation, and other student fees.
Ensure that your student number is in the reference field when transferring funds.
Online credit card payments can be made directly for student fees.
This ensures your payment is linked to your account in the official system.
For application fees, UCT uses a different fee account (UCT No.1 Sundries Account) when paying via EFT or direct deposit.
Your applicant number should be included in the reference when using this option.
Fees for NSFAS Funded Students
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is the South African government’s financial aid scheme for eligible students from low-income households.
NSFAS can cover tuition fees, accommodation costs, book allowances, and living allowances, depending on your profile and eligibility.
Students who qualify for NSFAS funding must complete NSFAS applications separately through the official NSFAS process and meet all eligibility requirements.
Once a student is confirmed for NSFAS funding, the scheme settles the tuition portion of their fees directly with the university.
You must register for your programme and ensure all required documentation has been submitted before NSFAS pays your fees.
NSFAS may also provide support towards residence and living expenses based on your funding package and household means.You must check with UCT’s Financial Aid Office or the NSFAS website for exact coverage, allowances, and any conditions that apply to your funding status.
