Wits Fees

Fees at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) depend on your programme, because Wits calculates tuition for each student based on the courses they take. The university publishes average first-year tuition for each faculty in its fees book. The figures below come from the Wits 2026 fees book, and they exclude additional charges.

The first payment

In 2026, all students apart from international students paid a first payment of R9,340 before academic registration. Students accepted into a Wits residence also paid an initial R5,000 in advance. If you cannot afford either payment, you can apply on the self-service portal to postpone it.

NSFAS grant students do not pay the first payment, because NSFAS covers it. If your NSFAS funding is not yet confirmed when you need to register, you can apply for a postponement.

Average first-year tuition in 2026

• BCom: R62,830 to R85,260
• BAccSci (Accounting Science): R70,550
• LLB: R47,930 to R83,760
• BSc (Engineering): R71,600
• BSc (Computer Science): R98,870
• BSc: R52,050 to R80,750
• MBBCh (Medicine): R84,670
• Bachelor of Pharmacy: R61,550
• Bachelor of Nursing: R63,120
• BA: R61,480 to R77,250
• BEd: R51,530 to R56,740

Residence costs

Residence fees vary by residence and room type. For example, in 2026, a single room in Barnato Hall cost R71,638 for the year, including the R5,000 initial payment, and a single room in its new wing cost R88,494. Self-catering flats cost less, from about R58,695 a year.

When to pay

The balance of all fees, including accommodation, is due by 30 June. Wits charges interest at prime plus 1% each month on balances still outstanding after that. Every student should receive a fee statement dated 31 March, and you should contact the Fees Office if you do not.

If you cannot pay in full by the due date, you can sign an Acknowledgment of Debt with the Fees Office. This sets up an interest-free payment plan for the rest of the year, as long as you apply before the due date and keep up your payments.

Sponsored and online students

If a sponsor pays your fees, they are also due by 30 June. If the sponsor fails to pay, you become liable for the amount, and interest accrues from 1 July. Students on online degree programmes, and occasional students, must pay their fees in full before they register.

Discount for paying early

Self-funded students receive a 5% discount, applied automatically, if they pay their full fees before registration and have no historic debt.

Funding your studies

Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and many companies fund Wits students. Browse our bursaries, or read the Wits overview.