University of Pretoria Fees for 2028: Tuition Fees

University of Pretoria Fees for 2028: Tuition Fees, Residence Costs and Payment Guide

If you are planning to study at the University of Pretoria (UP) in 2028, understanding the cost of your studies is an important part of preparing for university. Tuition fees at UP vary according to the programme, faculty, year of study and whether you are a South African, SADC or other international student. Continue to read more about University of Pretoria Fees for 2028.

At the time of writing, the University of Pretoria has not yet published its final 2028 fee schedules. Therefore, this guide uses the university’s latest official fee information, particularly its 2026 fee schedules and 2027 prospectus, to explain how UP fees work and what prospective 2028 students should budget for. The figures below should not be treated as confirmed 2028 fees until UP publishes its official 2028 fee schedule.

The good news is that UP publishes estimated tuition fees by faculty and programme, making it possible for prospective students to get a reasonable idea of the cost before applying. The university also provides mechanisms for obtaining an individual fee quotation through the student portal.

What Are the University of Pretoria Fees for 2028?

The University of Pretoria fees for 2028 will depend on the qualification you choose.

UP does not charge one flat tuition fee for all students. For example, the university’s 2026 undergraduate fee schedule shows that programmes in Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology can have estimated annual fees ranging from roughly R43,000 to more than R90,000, depending on the programme and year of study.

Humanities, Education, Economic and Management Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Health Sciences, Law and other faculties have their own programme-specific fee estimates.

This means students searching for “University of Pretoria fees 2028” should avoid relying on a single figure advertised as the university’s tuition fee.

Instead, the correct approach is to identify your intended programme and obtain the applicable UP fee estimate.

Quick Checks:

University of Pretoria Prospectus

University of Pretoria Courses

University of Pretoria Admission Requirements

University of Pretoria Status Check for 2028 Application

University of Pretoria Contact Details

University of Pretoria Scholarships and Bursaries 2028

Will UP Fees Increase in 2028?

It is reasonable to expect that tuition fees in 2028 may be higher than the fees currently published for 2026, but the exact 2028 increase cannot be confirmed until UP publishes the official 2028 fee schedule.

The university itself states in its postgraduate fee information that some published amounts are estimates and are subject to annual increases.

The 2027 UP international undergraduate prospectus also cautions that the available tuition estimates were for 2026 and could be adjusted for 2027.

Therefore, students planning for 2028 should use current figures as a planning baseline, not as guaranteed 2028 prices.

This distinction is important for an evergreen article because university fees change regularly.

University of Pretoria Undergraduate Fees

Undergraduate tuition fees at UP depend primarily on the programme and faculty.

The university publishes an Undergraduate Tuition Fees per Faculty page containing estimated annual fees for South African and SADC citizens.

For example, the 2026 estimates include the following Engineering programmes:

These figures are 2026 estimates, not confirmed 2028 fees. They demonstrate how substantially costs can vary between programmes and years of study.

Students should therefore avoid budgeting for UP based only on the lowest figure they find online.

How Much Does It Cost to Study at the University of Pretoria?

The total cost of studying at UP is more than tuition.

A student’s overall university budget may include:

• Tuition fees
• Residence or accommodation fees
• Meals
• Books and study materials
• Computer-related expenses
• Transport
• Registration-related costs
• International student levies, where applicable
• Medical aid for certain international students
• Other programme-specific costs

The university’s student-fees information specifically separates tuition, residence and other costs.

Students living away from home should therefore calculate their total cost of attendance, rather than looking only at tuition.

University of Pretoria Residence Fees

If you plan to live in a UP residence in 2028, accommodation should form part of your financial planning.

UP publishes a separate Residence Fees schedule. The university notes that students expecting NSFAS, bursary or sponsorship funding should make use of university residences or university-accredited accommodation where applicable.

Residence costs can differ according to the residence, room type and applicable arrangements.

The 2026 financial schedule also listed a R5,700 residence acceptance levy for students reserving a residence place, with the amount subject to the applicable residence rules and updated figures.

For 2028 applicants, it is advisable to wait for the official 2028 residence fee schedule before making a final accommodation budget.

University of Pretoria Initial Payment for 2028

UP requires students to make an initial payment toward their tuition before registration, although the amount changes from year to year.

For 2026, the initial tuition payment was:

• Undergraduate students: R11,000
• Postgraduate students: R13,500

UP explains that this initial payment is not an additional fee; it is the first payment towards tuition.

The 2028 initial payment will be determined by UP when the 2028 financial requirements are released.

This is an important distinction because students sometimes assume that the initial payment is added on top of their annual tuition. It is instead a payment toward the student’s account.

When Are University of Pretoria Fees Due?

UP’s payment arrangements require students to pay fees according to specified deadlines.

For 2026, UP indicated that:

• The initial payment was required before registration.
• 50% of the account was payable by 30 April.
• The full account was payable by 31 July.

The university also stated that fees are payable in advance.

The exact dates for 2028 should be confirmed from UP’s official financial calendar when released.

Students should not assume that the 2026 dates will remain unchanged in 2028.

University of Pretoria 2.5% Tuition Fee Discount

UP provides a discount for students who settle their accounts in full by the applicable deadline.

According to the university’s current information, students who pay 100% of their student account by 30 April can qualify for a 2.5% discount.

For example, if a student’s eligible account were R80,000, a 2.5% discount would amount to:

R80,000 × 2.5% = R2,000

The student would therefore potentially save R2,000, subject to UP’s terms and conditions.

Students planning to take advantage of this option should confirm the 2028 deadline and eligibility rules when the university publishes its 2028 fee information.

University of Pretoria Family Rebate

UP also provides a family rebate for qualifying families.

According to the university’s current FAQ, when two or more dependent children from the same family are simultaneously registered at UP, they may apply for a tuition fee rebate. The university currently states a maximum rebate of R2,500 per student, subject to the applicable conditions.

The family rebate does not apply to every university charge. UP specifically indicates that accommodation fees and certain levies are excluded.

Because these conditions may change, families with multiple students should check the official 2028 family-rebate rules before budgeting.

University of Pretoria Fees for International Students

International students should pay particularly close attention to UP’s international student fee structure.

The university distinguishes between:

1. South African citizens
2. SADC citizens
3. Non-SADC international students
4. Permanent residents
5. Refugees
6. Asylum seekers
7. Diplomats and certain dependants
8. Students studying under particular visa arrangements

For 2026, UP stated that SADC citizens pay the same tuition fee as South African citizens but are also required to pay the international levy.

For non-SADC citizens, UP stated that coursework students on a study visa are generally charged double the local tuition fee plus the international levy. Research-oriented master’s and doctoral students are treated differently, with the local tuition fee applicable in the circumstances specified by UP.

For 2026, the international levy was R4,725.

These figures are not confirmed 2028 charges.

University of Pretoria Fees for SADC Students

Students from SADC countries should understand that they are treated differently from other international applicants for tuition purposes.

UP’s current policy states that SADC citizens pay the same tuition fee as South African citizens, but they are required to pay the applicable international levy.

SADC countries listed by UP include countries such as:

• Botswana
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Lesotho
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Seychelles
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

The university’s official list should always be consulted because immigration and institutional rules can change.

University of Pretoria Fees for Ghanaian Students

Students from Ghana should pay particular attention to UP’s international fee rules because Ghana is not a SADC member state.

Under the university’s current international fee structure, non-SADC international students undertaking coursework studies can be charged double the applicable local tuition fee plus the international levy.

Therefore, a Ghanaian student planning to study at UP in 2028 should not simply use the South African undergraduate fee estimate as their final tuition budget.

The student’s exact fee will depend on:

• Programme
• Qualification
• Study level
• Visa status
• Whether the programme is coursework or research
• UP’s applicable international student fee rules
• The official 2028 fee schedule

This is particularly important when preparing proof of funding for international study.

University of Pretoria Postgraduate Fees

UP postgraduate tuition fees differ significantly from undergraduate fees.

The university’s 2026 postgraduate fee schedule gives examples of estimated fees including:

• Research master’s programmes: approximately R24,710 per year
• Research doctorates: approximately R26,475 per year
• Coursework master’s programmes: programme-dependent, with some listed from approximately R32,800 and others substantially higher.

For example, UP lists 2026 research master’s fees of R24,710 per year and research doctorate fees of R26,475 per year, subject to annual increases.

Coursework postgraduate programmes can cost considerably more depending on the qualification.

Students should therefore not assume that every master’s or doctoral programme has the same fee.

Does UP Charge an Application Fee?

For the 2026 application cycle, UP’s online application information indicates an R300 application fee for applications submitted through UPOnline.

The university also states that applicants whose household income is R150,000 or less per year may qualify for an application-fee waiver, subject to submitting and verifying the required proof of income.

The 2028 application fee and exemption threshold should be confirmed when applications for 2028 open.

UP Fees and NSFAS

Eligible South African students may receive financial support through NSFAS, subject to the applicable national and institutional requirements.

UP’s current information states that NSFAS-funded students are exempt from paying the initial registration fee once their funding is confirmed.

Students should not assume that simply applying for NSFAS means their funding has been approved. They should monitor their funding status and provide any documents required by UP.

Other bursaries and sponsorships can also be used to finance UP studies.

How to Get a University of Pretoria Fee Quotation

One of the safest ways to determine your likely cost is to obtain a fee quotation directly from UP.

The university states that tuition-fee quotations are available through the UP Student Portal as a self-help function. Students need their student number to access the quotation facility.

Prospective students can also use the university’s published faculty fee tables to estimate the cost of a programme before applying.

This is preferable to relying on third-party websites because programme fees can change.

What Should You Budget for UP in 2028?

Since the final 2028 fee schedule is not yet available, prospective students should create a budget containing the following categories:

This approach provides a much more realistic picture of the cost of studying at the University of Pretoria in 2028.

How to Reduce the Cost of Studying at UP

Students can explore several ways of managing university costs.

Apply for bursaries

Search for UP scholarships, faculty-specific funding, government bursaries and external scholarships well before registration.

Apply for NSFAS if eligible

South African students who meet the applicable requirements should submit their NSFAS applications within the relevant application period.

Consider the 2.5% discount

If you have sufficient funds to settle the eligible student account in full by the required date, investigate whether you qualify for UP’s early-payment discount.

Apply for the family rebate

If two or more dependent children from the same family are studying at UP simultaneously, check whether your family qualifies.

Obtain an official quotation

Before making financial commitments, obtain a programme-specific fee quotation from UP.

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Pretoria Fees 2028

How much are University of Pretoria fees for 2028?

The official 2028 fees have not yet been published. UP’s latest published schedules provide programme-specific estimates, but fees are subject to annual adjustments.

How much is UP tuition per year?

It depends on the programme. For example, 2026 undergraduate Engineering estimates published by UP range from around R62,000 to more than R90,000 for various programmes and years of study.

Are University of Pretoria fees the same for every course?

No. Tuition fees vary according to programme, faculty and year of study.

Do international students pay more at UP?

Generally, yes. UP’s current policy states that non-SADC international students in coursework studies are charged double local tuition plus the applicable international levy, subject to specified exceptions. SADC students pay local tuition plus the international levy.

Does UP offer a payment discount?

Yes. UP currently offers a 2.5% discount when the eligible student account is paid in full by the applicable deadline.

Can I get a UP fee quotation?

Yes. UP states that students can access tuition-fee quotations through the UP Student Portal.

Does UP accept NSFAS?

NSFAS-funded students can receive applicable financial support, and UP states that confirmed NSFAS students do not have to pay the initial registration fee.

Final Thoughts on University of Pretoria Fees for 2028

The University of Pretoria fees for 2028 will ultimately be determined by the university’s official 2028 fee schedule. At present, it would be misleading to publish a single figure as the confirmed UP tuition fee for 2028 because the university’s latest publicly available figures are for earlier academic years and are subject to annual increases.

The best way to plan is to use the latest UP programme-specific estimates as a starting point and then update your budget when the 2028 University of Pretoria fee schedule is released. UP itself directs students to its student-fees resources for estimates and fee quotations.

Prospective students should also remember that the actual cost of attending UP includes more than tuition. Accommodation, meals, books, transport, technology and other expenses can significantly increase the total cost of university.

International students should be especially careful when calculating their budget because UP’s current rules distinguish between South African citizens, SADC students and non-SADC international students.