Rhodes University Fees

Tuition at Rhodes University depends on your degree. Rhodes publishes its full fee schedule each year in its fees booklet. The figures below come from the 2026 Rhodes fees booklet, so expect slightly higher amounts for 2027.

Yearly tuition in 2026

• BA and BSocSc: R63,519
• BCom and BEcon: R69,494
• BSc: R66,082
• BSc (Information Systems): R69,494
• LLB: R71,254
• BEd: R63,438
• BJourn: R63,519 in first year, rising to R82,097 in fourth year with equipment levies
• BPharm: about R68,491 in first year, rising to R78,294 in fourth year

Foundation courses, which add support, cost less in their first years. For example, the BSc Foundation Course was R45,418 a year for its first two years.

The initial fee payment

Before you register, you must pay an initial fee of 10% of your annual tuition and, if you live in residence, 25% of your annual residence fee. In 2026, this came to R7,277 for tuition only, or R32,545 for tuition and residence. First-time students had to pay it by 23 January 2026. NSFAS-funded students do not pay the initial fee. Otherwise, you must pay it upfront, and you cannot spread it through a payment arrangement. However, students with merit awards may offset their award against it.

International students paid a larger initial amount in 2026, R89,528 for tuition and residence, and they are not eligible for merit awards.

Paying the balance

Rhodes spreads the rest of the fees over the year. By 31 March, you should have paid 35% of tuition and 50% of residence. By 30 June, the figures rise to 60% and 75%, and by 30 September to 85% and 100%. Any remaining tuition is due by 30 November.

Discounts and awards

You can claim a 5% discount in writing if you pay the full year's tuition and residence fees by the initial fee deadline. Families with more than one child studying full-time at Rhodes can apply for a 30% remission on the tuition of each child after the first. Rhodes also gives automatic merit awards to first-time South African students with at least 47 points in the final NSC exams, worth from R29,940 up to full tuition.

Residence

Living in residence adds a large share to the cost, because most Rhodes students live on campus. Accepting a residence place costs a non-refundable R1,000 acceptance fee, and the residence portion of the initial payment was R25,268 in 2026.

Withdrawing

If you withdraw, you pay a pro-rata fee up to the date of cancellation. Leaving a residence early, except for reasons such as bereavement or illness, costs two months' residence fees. There is no penalty for cancelling a provisional residence booking before the initial fee deadline.

Funding your studies

Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS. Browse our bursaries, or read the Rhodes overview.