COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER: PAYMENTS REQUIRED FROM STUDENTS FOR HISTORICS DEBT AND ANNUAL FEES
Dear Staff and Students
Please take note of the following important updates pertaining to payments required from students for historic debt and annual fees charged to student fee accounts.
1. Interest on unpaid student fees
As an incentive to assist students, the university put a moratorium on charging interest on unpaid student fees as from 1 January 2020 and this moratorium will continue until 31 December 2027.
2. Existing student debt as of 31 December 2024
All students are required to settle their existing debt as of 31 December 2024 in full over a maximum of 36 equal monthly instalments starting on 1 January 2025 until 31 December 2027.
However, it must be noted that the following categories of students will continue to be required to settle their existing debt in full prior to registration:
- Any student who is registering for a post-graduate professional qualification (e.g. MBA).
- Any student who is registering for a self-funding programme.
- Any student who is registering for non-degree purposes.
3. Settlement discounts
As an additional incentive to assist students, the University will grant a settlement discount amounting to 15% of the annual historic debt amount settled during the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027. This settlement discount will be granted annually in arrears based on total historic debt settled as at the end of each academic year.
4. Initial instalments (registration fees)
There will be a phased increase in initial instalments (i.e. registration fees) required from South African students who are self-funded as follows:
Academic year | Tuition | Residence |
2025 | R5 950 | R5 200 |
2026 | R7 300 | R6 800 |
2027 | R8 650 | R8 400 |
2028 | R10 000 | R10 000 |
The registration fees required from all international students remain unchanged – that is 100% of annual fees are payable upfront prior to registration.
5. Annual fees charged as from 1 January 2025
All fees charged to student fee accounts as from 1 January 2025 onwards must be settled in full annually and prior to students being allowed to register in future years. This is intended to assist students to not accumulate further debt during the remainder of their studies.
Issued by
Ms N Mbhele
Chief Finance Officer