How Many Free Universities Are in South Africa?
When prospective students search for free universities in South Africa, they’re often looking for institutions that eliminate financial barriers like application fees or tuition costs, making higher education more accessible. As of March 27, 2025, South Africa does not have universities that are entirely free in terms of tuition for all students. However, several public universities offer free application processes, and government initiatives like the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provide free education to qualifying low-income students at public institutions.
Defining “Free Universities” in South Africa
In this context, “free universities” can refer to two key aspects: no application fees or tuition-free education for eligible students. South Africa’s 26 public universities (as recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training) all charge tuition, but some waive application fees, and NSFAS funding offsets costs for many. Private institutions, numbering over 100 (registered with the Council on Higher Education), typically charge both application and tuition fees. This guide focuses on public universities offering free applications and those covered by NSFAS free education programs.
Key Highlights
- Total Public Universities: 26
- Universities with Free Applications: At least 7 confirmed in 2025
- NSFAS-Eligible Students: Over 600,000 fully or provisionally funded (2025 DHET data)
- Application Fee Range: R0 to R300 across institutions
- Tuition Costs: R30,000-R70,000 annually (average, unfunded)
Universities with Free Application Fees in 2025
Several South African universities have eliminated application fees for South African citizens, easing the first step toward higher education. Based on the latest available data (2024-2025 application cycles), here are the confirmed institutions offering free applications:
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Students: 50,000+
- Faculties: 8
- Notes: Free for SA undergrad applicants; online process via UJ portal
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
- Students: 40,000+
- Faculties: 7
- Notes: No fee for SA applicants; applications open March-September
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Location: Bellville, Western Cape
- Students: 23,000+
- Faculties: 7
- Notes: Free undergrad applications; robust online support
- North-West University (NWU)
- Location: Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, Vanderbijlpark
- Students: 45,000+
- Faculties: 8
- Notes: No fee for SA students; multi-campus accessibility
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Location: Distance learning (headquartered in Pretoria)
- Students: 350,000+
- Faculties: 8
- Notes: Free online applications; largest open-distance institution
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Students: 34,000+
- Faculties: 6
- Notes: Free for SA applicants; tech-focused programs
- University of Limpopo (UL)
- Location: Mankweng, Limpopo
- Students: 20,000+
- Faculties: 4
- Notes: No application fee; rural community focus
Total Count: 7 universities with free applications confirmed for 2025
Note: Some sources suggest additional institutions like Rhodes University (RU) may offer free applications, but this isn’t universally confirmed for 2025. Always check official university websites for the latest updates.
Tuition-Free Education via NSFAS
While no South African university is inherently tuition-free for all, the NSFAS program makes education effectively free for qualifying students at all 26 public universities. Introduced in 1991 and expanded in 2018 under the “free education” policy for households earning less than R350,000 annually, NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation, and living allowances.
NSFAS Stats (2025)
- Funded Students: 542,653 university students + 240,000 TVET students (DHET, March 2025)
- Budget: Approximately R40 billion, despite a R4 billion cut from prior years
- Coverage: 100% of tuition fees for eligible students
- Applications: Over 1 million annually, with 600,000+ approved (2025 provisional data)
All 26 public universities—from UCT to University of Zululand—participate, meaning any can be “free” for NSFAS recipients. However, administrative challenges, like payment delays, persist, with 10% of funded students reporting issues in 2024 (DHET reports).
Public Universities with Application Fees
For contrast, here’s a snapshot of universities charging application fees in 2025 (based on 2024 data, subject to change):
- University of Cape Town (UCT): R100 (SA citizens)
- Stellenbosch University (SU): R100
- University of Pretoria (UP): R300
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): R250
Approximately 19 of 26 public universities charge fees ranging from R100 to R300, leaving 7 with no fees, aligning with our count.
Statistical Overview: South Africa’s Higher Education Landscape
Total Enrollment: 1.2 million university students + 587,671 TVET students (2025 DHET)
First-Year Spaces: 140,000 annually across universities (2023 estimate, ZA Bursaries)
Matric Pass Rate: 82.9% in 2023, yielding 570,000 eligible applicants (Stats SA)
Unemployment Rate: 33.5% (Q4 2024), underscoring education’s economic role
The 7 free-application universities serve over 560,000 students combined, roughly 47% of university enrollees, amplifying their accessibility impact.
Why Free Applications Matter
With 18.3 million South Africans aged 15-64 not in education or employment (Stats SA, 2023), removing application fees reduces barriers for the 570,000 matric passers annually vying for limited university spots. Free applications at institutions like UJ and UNISA—serving 50,000 and 350,000 students, respectively—open doors for underserved populations, especially in rural areas like Limpopo (UL).
Comparative Table: Free vs. Fee-Charging Universities
| University | Application Fee | Students | Location | NSFAS Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Johannesburg | R0 | 50,000+ | Johannesburg | Yes |
| University of Cape Town | R100 | 29,000+ | Cape Town | Yes |
| University of the Free State | R0 | 40,000+ | Bloemfontein | Yes |
| Stellenbosch University | R100 | 32,000+ | Stellenbosch | Yes |
| University of South Africa | R0 | 350,000+ | Distance Learning | Yes |
Conclusion: Counting the Free Universities
As of 2025, South Africa has 7 public universities offering free applications—UJ, UFS, UWC, NWU, UNISA, CPUT, and UL—serving over 560,000 students. Through NSFAS, all 26 public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students, impacting 600,000+ learners. While not free in the traditional sense, these institutions break down barriers, making higher education attainable. For the latest details, visit university websites or NSFAS portals.
