Universities › Wits
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): first-year costs
Johannesburg, Gauteng. 41,432 students (2024 headcount, HEDA / DHET HEMIS data). Official site: https://www.wits.ac.za. Fee year: 2026. Figures checked 25 October 2026.
Work out a first-year total at Wits
Labels: official Published by the university or NSFAS · est. Our estimate (method in the note) · NSFAS ref NSFAS allowance used as a reference amount, not a measured cost · secondary Third-party page quoting the university · unverified We could not load the official page; figure seen only in a search index of it. All amounts are 2026 fees in rand unless stated. 2027 fees are not yet published. We have not added any assumed increase.
Tuition for first year, by faculty band
Wits 2026 Fees Book, first-year average programme fees by faculty (excl. computer fees, e.g. R1,640–R3,150 in Engineering).
Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026
| Faculty band | Annual tuition, first year |
|---|---|
| Commerce / business | R62 830 – R85 260official BCom range; BEconSci R66,100; BAccSci R70,550. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Law | R47 930 – R83 760official LLB range. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Engineering / built environment | R68 310 – R98 870official Incl. BSc(Eng) R71,600; BSc(CS) (construction studies, EBE faculty) R98,870. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Humanities / arts | R61 480 – R77 250official BA range. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Education | R51 530 – R56 740official BEd. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Health sciences | R61 550 – R84 710official BPharm R61,550 to BDS R84,710; MBBCh R84,670. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Natural / computer sciences | R52 050 – R80 750official BSc range. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 University Fees Book · checked 25 October 2026 |
Payments before or at registration
These are usually credited to your fee account. They are cash you need early, not an extra cost on top of fees. NSFAS-funded students are often exempt (see the notes).
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| First fee payment | R9 340official First fee payment before registration. NSFAS students are exempt; others may apply for postponement. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Fees – General Information · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Initial residence payment | R5 000official Initial residence payment. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Residence deposit | R990official Residence deposit. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Orientation levy | R680official Orientation levy. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Application fee | R100official Application fee. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits – Apply to Wits (undergraduate) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Where you live: residence, private or commuting
Braamfontein & Parktown (metro for NSFAS caps)
| Option | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Catered residence (single room + meals) (meals included) | R86 034 – R102 354official R70,400 room + R15,634–R31,954 meals. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Self-catering residence | R55 685 – R117 962official Braamfontein Centre R55,685 up to R117,962. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Private accommodation | Varies. Enter your own rent in the calculator. For comparison, NSFAS caps accommodation in a metro area at R65 993 (catered) or R52 000 (self-catering) NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Living at home and commuting | Depends on how far you travel and how you get there. Enter your daily fare in the calculator. For comparison, the NSFAS transport allowance is R8 190 a year NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Other first-year costs
| Item | Wits figure | Reference if none published |
|---|---|---|
| Meals (self-catering or private) | R15 634 – R31 954official Meal plans in catered residences. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Residence Fees · checked 25 October 2026 | R17 160 NSFAS living allowance NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Books and study materials | not published / not found | R5 678 NSFAS learning materials allowance NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Laptop and data | not published / not found | NSFAS lets students spend the learning materials allowance on a device. Source: NSFAS: NSFAS 2026 Bursary Guidelines – Annexure A · checked 25 October 2026 |
| Personal costs | not published / not found | R3 167 NSFAS personal care allowance (catered residence) NSFAS ref Source: NSFAS via gov.za: NSFAS on payment of 2025 student allowances (12 Mar 2025) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Key dates
| 30 June 2026 | Wits 2026: balance of fees due 2026 pattern. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits 2026 Fees – General Information · checked 25 October 2026 |
| 30 September 2026 | Wits 2027 applications and residence applications closed (closed) Health Sciences and some programmes closed 30 June 2026. Source: University of the Witwatersrand: Wits – Apply to Wits (undergraduate) · checked 25 October 2026 |
Add Wits and NSFAS dates to your calendar (.ics)
What we couldn't find
- Book costs (not published as a total)
- 2027 registration dates
Sources used on this page: Wits – Apply to Wits (undergraduate), Wits 2026 University Fees Book, Wits 2026 Fees – General Information, Wits 2026 Residence Fees. Fees change every year, so confirm with Wits before you pay.