Rhodes University Bursaries and Funding

Rhodes University in Makhanda offers automatic academic merit awards to strong first-year students, and many of its students are funded by NSFAS, recognised bursaries and scholarships. The details below come from the Rhodes University fees booklet for 2026.

The Academic Merit Award Scheme

Rhodes automatically makes special merit awards to eligible South African students enrolling for an undergraduate degree for the first time. The awards range from R29,940 to the full tuition fee, based on your final National Senior Certificate results. To qualify, you need at least 47 admission points in the NSC. International students are not eligible. If you withdraw from Rhodes during the year, the award is reduced pro rata.

Using a bursary to register

Holders of recognised bursaries and scholarships, including Rhodes scholarships and merit awards, may use their award to offset the Initial Fee Payment needed for registration. Email your award letter to studentfees@ru.ac.za. If your bursary is more than your fees, you may draw the balance once the Bursar gives written permission.

Your responsibilities

It is your responsibility to make sure bursary donors pay on time and in line with the university's rules. Students with full bursaries still need money when they arrive, for books and other costs, because Rhodes does not give loans or advances against bursaries before the funds arrive.

NSFAS

NSFAS-funded students do not pay an Initial Fee. Rhodes grants registration clearance based on the funding list that NSFAS provides. NSFAS does not pay for charges unrelated to tuition, accommodation and books, so the fee-payer is liable for other costs.

Second-child remission

If a parent has more than one child studying full-time at Rhodes in the same year, they can apply for a second-child remission. It equals 30% of the tuition fee for every child after the first.

External loans

If you take a loan from a bank or other institution, you must make sure all payments reach Rhodes by the due dates. A loan does not reduce the Initial Fee Payment.

Financial assistance on your application

Rhodes's application form asks whether you need financial assistance from the university. Answer yes only if you cannot get funding elsewhere, for example from a bank loan. The form also asks for the person responsible for your fees, who must be a person, not a bursary or government sponsor.

What you need to pay

For 2026, South African students paid an Initial Fee Payment of R7,277 for tuition only, or R32,545 with residence. Read more on the Rhodes fees page.

More funding

Browse our bursaries for companies, SETAs and government departments that fund Rhodes students.