Rhodes University Student Portal (ROSS)

ROSS, the Rhodes Online Student Services system, is the online portal for applicants and students at Rhodes University. You use it to apply, track your application and manage student administration. The guidance below comes from the ROSS login page, Rhodes's registration gateway and its 2026 fees booklet.

Getting your login details

You can log in to ROSS once you have registered as an online user or received login details from Rhodes. If Rhodes has already given you a student number and password, use those. If not, the details arrive in the Registration to Online Admissions email.

First login

If you have not yet created a password, choose the second option on the ROSS login page. You receive an activation email with a link to activate your account. Rhodes's older guidance notes that the login name is typed in lower case.

What you do on ROSS

• Apply online for undergraduate admission
• Monitor the progress of your application
• Manage your student administration once registered

Paying your fees

Rhodes does not take fee payments through ROSS itself, but you need to plan them before registration:

• Option 1: pay the Initial Fee Payment, then the balance in stages through the year
• Option 2: pay the full year by the due date and claim a 5% discount in writing
• Option 3: a debit order with 11 monthly instalments from February to December

Use your student number as the payment reference. EFTs can take up to three days to reflect, so pay early. Master and Visa cards are accepted, and international students can pay through Flywire.

Debit orders

To set up a debit order, email debitorders@ru.ac.za for the form, which the account holder must sign. In 2026, all documents were due by 16 January. Rhodes charges R259 for every unpaid debit order, and three unpaid debit orders in a row cancel the facility.

Bursary letters

If you have a recognised bursary or scholarship, email your award letter to studentfees@ru.ac.za, so that Rhodes can offset it against your Initial Fee Payment.

International students

International students pay 50% of their tuition and residence fees by the January due date, plus a compulsory international student levy, which in 2026 ranged from R13,821 to R19,627 a year for undergraduates.

Keep your details current

Make sure your contact details are correct, because ROSS activation links and Rhodes's messages come by email. Never share your password.

Getting help

For application queries, use the contact on the ROSS login page. For fee queries, email studentfees@ru.ac.za. See the Rhodes application status page, or read the Rhodes University overview.