Africa
Cost of Studying in South Africa: Tuition Statistics
The median yearly tuition for international master's students in South Africa is 3,121 USD, with the middle half of programs charging between 1,510 USD and 3,121 USD. These figures are computed from 358 programs at 4 universities in South Africa listed on Global Admissions; 100% are taught in English.
Data as of August 17, 2026 · all amounts in USD · refreshed as our data changes
Tuition in South Africa by degree level
The 25th–75th percentile range shows what the middle half of programs charge — a more honest picture than a single average.
| Degree | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 4,352 USD | 4,352 USD | 4,352 USD | 131 |
| Master's | 1,510 USD | 3,121 USD | 3,121 USD | 137 |
| PhD | 2,029 USD | 2,029 USD | 2,029 USD | 56 |
Cheapest degree programs in South Africa
The lowest published international tuition on Global Admissions for South Africa right now — each links to the live program.
| Program | University | Degree | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Educational Psychology | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 250 USD |
| Master in Epidemiology | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 285 USD |
| Master in Mining Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 294 USD |
| Master in Robotics | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 297 USD |
| Master in Mechanical Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 367 USD |
| Master in Education | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 375 USD |
Quick answers
Can I study in English in South Africa?
Yes — all 358 degree programs in South Africa on Global Admissions are taught entirely in English.
How many universities in South Africa accept international students?
4 universities in South Africa list programs open to international applicants on Global Admissions as of August 17, 2026.
Is South Africa affordable for international students?
A quarter of master's programs in South Africa charge 1,510 USD per year or less, and the cheapest listed program starts at 250 USD . Compare against other countries on the tuition statistics table .
Next steps for South Africa: browse programs by field of study , upcoming application deadlines , the study-in-South Africa guide , or estimate your total cost including living expenses .
Thinking seriously about South Africa?
An advisor who knows the South Africa admission process can shortlist programs for your budget and profile, and sanity-check deadlines.
Methodology
All figures are computed from the 358 degree programs that 4 universities in South Africa list on Global Admissions, as of August 17, 2026. Tuition quartiles use the yearly tuition each university publishes for international students, converted to USD; programs without published tuition are excluded from quartiles but counted in totals. "English-taught" counts programs whose language of instruction is English. Cite as: "Global Admissions data, August 17, 2026".