Universities in South Africa

South Africa has 26 public universities, spread across all nine provinces, according to Universities South Africa (USAf), the association that represents them. The number grew from 23 when two new universities, in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape (Sol Plaatje University), opened in 2014. Most universities are in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, the provinces with the largest cities.

For international students, South African universities offer degrees taught in English, a two-semester academic year that starts in February, and a qualification system that includes the honours degree, a postgraduate year between the bachelor's and the master's. SpainExchange currently lists one South African university, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban.

How the university system works

The Higher Education Act of 1997 provides for a unified national system of higher education. The Department of Higher Education and Training oversees universities, TVET colleges and private providers, and also regulates private higher education. Quality is the job of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), an independent statutory body set up in May 1998 that acts as the Quality Council for Higher Education and manages the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF).

The current map of universities is largely the result of mergers in the early 2000s, which reduced the number of higher education institutions from 36 to 21 before new universities were added.

An example: the University of KwaZulu-Natal

UKZN was formed on 1 January 2004 by the merger of the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal, whose roots go back to the Natal University College, founded in Pietermaritzburg in 1910. It has five campuses: Howard College, Westville and the Medical School in Durban, Edgewood in Pinetown, which focuses on teacher education, and Pietermaritzburg, about an hour's drive from Durban. Teaching is organised in four colleges: Humanities; Agriculture, Engineering and Science; Health Sciences; and Law and Management Studies. Besides bachelor's degrees it offers postgraduate diplomas, honours programmes, master's degrees and PhDs.

Admission and recognition

International applicants to undergraduate study need their school-leaving qualification assessed. At UKZN, applications are only considered with an evaluation document from USAf's Matriculation Board confirming that the foreign qualification is equivalent to the South African school-leaving certificate. The Matriculation Board's exemption fee for 2026 is R1,070, and documents in a language other than English need a sworn translation. For postgraduate study, UKZN asks for an evaluation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). UKZN teaches in English, and applicants must meet its English requirements; the point system used for local applicants does not apply to international students.

Study visa

Foreign students need a study visa from the Department of Home Affairs, which is not issued at ports of entry. The application includes an official letter of acceptance from the institution stating the duration of the course, a medical report, a police clearance certificate for countries where the applicant lived for more than 12 months in the last five years, and proof of medical cover with a registered South African medical scheme. Holders of a study visa may work part-time for up to 20 hours a week. UKZN provides the letters needed for the visa once all admission requirements are met.

Costs and funding

No official national tuition range for international students was found, so check the fee schedule of each university before applying. The UKZN application fee is R490 for applicants from the SADC region and the rest of Africa and US$153 for applicants from outside Africa. UKZN lists loans, bursaries and scholarships on its student funding pages and offers residences on its campuses as well as information on private accommodation. Budget also for the compulsory South African medical cover.

How to choose a university in South Africa

• Location: the major university provinces are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape
• Qualification: a full bachelor's degree, an honours year, a master's or a PhD, or a semester abroad
• Recognition: start the Matriculation Board or SAQA evaluation early, as universities need it before deciding
• Campus: large universities have several campuses with different fields and residences
• Calendar: at UKZN in 2027 the first semester runs from 8 February to 24 June and the second from 19 July to 30 November

Frequently asked questions

How many public universities does South Africa have?

There are 26 public universities in all nine provinces, according to Universities South Africa. Most are in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

What is an honours degree in South Africa?

It is a postgraduate qualification taken after a bachelor's degree and before a master's. Universities such as UKZN admit students to honours programmes separately from undergraduate study.

Do I need my school certificate recognised to apply?

Yes. For undergraduate study, universities such as UKZN require an evaluation from the Matriculation Board of Universities South Africa; the 2026 fee is R1,070.

Can I work while studying in South Africa?

Holders of a study visa may work part-time for up to 20 hours a week, according to the Department of Home Affairs.