Africa
Cost of Studying in South Africa: Tuition Statistics
The median yearly tuition for international master's students in South Africa is 2,692 USD, with the middle half of programs charging between 1,302 USD and 2,692 USD. These figures are computed from 358 programs at 4 universities in South Africa listed in the Global Admissions catalog; 100% are taught in English.
Data as of July 17, 2026 · all amounts in USD · refreshed as the catalog 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 | 3,754 USD | 3,754 USD | 3,754 USD | 131 |
| Master's | 1,302 USD | 2,692 USD | 2,692 USD | 137 |
| PhD | 1,750 USD | 1,750 USD | 1,750 USD | 56 |
Cheapest degree programs in South Africa
The lowest published international tuition in our South Africa catalog right now — each links to the live program.
| Program | University | Degree | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Educational Psychology | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 216 USD |
| Master in Epidemiology | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 246 USD |
| Master in Mining Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 254 USD |
| Master in Robotics | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 256 USD |
| Master in Mechanical Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 317 USD |
| Master in Education | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg | Master's | 324 USD |
Quick answers
Can I study in English in South Africa?
Yes — 358 of the 358 degree programs in our South Africa catalog (100%) 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 in the Global Admissions catalog as of July 17, 2026.
Is South Africa affordable for international students?
A quarter of master's programs in South Africa charge 1,302 USD per year or less, and the cheapest listed program starts at 216 USD . Compare against other countries on the tuition statistics table .
Next steps for South Africa: 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 — for free.
Methodology
All figures are computed from the 358 degree programs that 4 universities in South Africa list in the Global Admissions catalog, as of July 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 catalog data, July 17, 2026".