Scholarships and tuition fees: the real budget
That is the question every family asks first, and the one with the most unreliable information circulating about it. Here are the real figures, complete with their sources — and a point that most French-language websites ignore.
● A PRADeXPERIENCE service · budgets established in CFA francs and in rands
A fair budget is better than an optimistic budget.
Most budgets prepared from afar overlook the specific fees for international students from outside SADC, the compulsory South African medical aid and the annual rise in fee scales. Three omissions that can add up to several tens of thousands of rands over the course of a degree.
We work out the actual budget with you before you commit — not after.
The four items to anticipate
The tuition fees
UCT charges per course, not a flat fee. The total depends on your programme and the number of courses taken each year.
The international fees
International administrative fees and International Term Fee. As Gabon is not in the SADC, both apply.
Housing and health insurance
Private residence or accommodation, plus the compulsory South African medical aid for the visa. Two recurring expenses not to be underestimated.
The grants
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program fully funds African students. Applications are open between July and September.
Gabon is not part of SADC
This is the most important information on this page. It changes the budget by tens of thousands of rands a year, and it is missing from almost the entire French-speaking web.
South African universities classify foreign students into two categories nationals of a country in the SADC (Southern African Development Community), and those of all the other countries.
Gabon is not part of SADC. The member states are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
A Gabonese student is therefore ranked «international non-SADC».
In practical terms, at UCT this means he pays:
| Postbox | SADC student | Gabonese student (non-SADC) |
|---|---|---|
| Course fees | Yes | Yes |
| International administration fees | Yes | Yes |
| International Term Fee | No | Yes |
The International Term Fee comprises two tiers: one for African students from outside the SADC, and one for students from outside Africa. Gabonese students fall under the first, the lower of the two - but it is a real cost that is added every year.
Two favourable nuances
The International Term Fee applies only to so-called courses coursework — bachelor's degrees, honours degrees, diplomas, taught master's degrees. The PhD and Master's degrees by research only are exempt from this. Furthermore, registration on one semester results in only 50 % of this charge.
Official sources
What the budget is actually made of
1. The tuition fees
UCT applies a system course, rather than an annual fee: you pay for each course you enrol in. The total therefore depends on your schedule and your course load. The exact amounts are given in the Student Fees Handbook, published annually for the following year. UCT provides a tool pro forma invoice online that calculates your exact amount — you need an application number to access it.
2. International administrative fees
Non-refundable, payable annually, due before registration. They cover the procedures relating to visas, enrolment and the welcoming of international students. As a guide, this amount was ZAR 5,600 in the 2026 UCT documentation.
3. The International Term Fee
See the previous section. The amount depends on the programme and the level of study. It is given in section 5.4.3 of the Student Fees Handbook of the current year.
4. The accommodation
University residence or private accommodation. Residences are in high demand: at UCT as well as at Stellenbosch, applications for accommodation close the same day that the academic application, by 31 July. A late application is not usually considered.
5. The South African mutual society
Mandatory for the visa. It is a monthly cost to be factored into the budget from the outset, not an option.
6. Everyday life
Transport, food, phone, equipment. The Department of Home Affairs asks for proof of funds of around 3,000 ZAR per month for subsistence — that is an administrative minimum, not a realistic living budget in Cape Town.
Official sources
When is payment due?
It is a tight schedule, and it begins before your departure. UCT tells international students that they must settle their fees before their arrival in Cape Town. Payment in two instalments is available:
- one minimum initial payment before registration, or by early February at the latest — whichever date is the earlier applying; ;
- the balance before the end of July.
In the event of a delay, a single penalty of 5 % of the outstanding amount applies.
Important practical point: keep count to a minimum 14 working days for an international payment to appear on the university account. A transfer sent the day before the deadline arrives late.
UCT accepts international payments via Flywire, which allows payment from any bank in your own currency, with online tracking. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for the funds to appear.
Official sources
What actually exists for a Gabonese student
Let's be direct: the funding for international undergraduate students is limited in South Africa. Large public schemes such as NSFAS are reserved for South Africans. Opportunities widen significantly at master's and doctoral level.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
This is the most important scheme for young Africans, and it is fully funded. It is aimed at academically brilliant students from sub-Saharan Africa who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
At UCT, the programme covers full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, health insurance, travel — and the visa application support. This is supplemented by mentoring, academic support, leadership training and access to a continent-wide alumni network. The scholarship covers the entire duration of studies and is renewed each year subject to academic performance.
Calendar: UCT is opening its call for applications between July and September each year. It is a different schedule from the academic applications — please note both dates.
The programme also exists in other South African universities, notably’University of the Western Cape, which offers Bachelor's and Master's scholarships including residence accommodation, a monthly allowance, health insurance, a laptop and an equipment allowance.
The selectivity is very high. This scholarship must be part of a plan, not constitute the plan on its own.
University merit scholarships
UCT, Stellenbosch and Wits offer merit scholarships open to international students. The amounts are generally partial and competition is fierce, with candidates coming from all over the world. These scholarships are usually applied for directly through the university, often after admission.
Funding for Master's and doctoral degrees
If you are aiming for a master's or a doctorate, the possibilities are significantly better: research grants, teaching assistant positions, laboratory funding, and foundation programmes. A two-stage plan—self-funded undergraduate degree followed by a funded master's—is a strategy that works.
Building an honest budget in four steps
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. The real figure | Identify your specific programme, then ask the university for a pro forma invoice. That is the only reliable figure. |
| 2. Non-SADC fees | Add the international administration fees and the International Term Fee. This is the most common mistake in budgets made remotely. |
| 3. Life there | Add accommodation, the South African medical aid and living expenses over twelve months, not for the duration of the courses. |
| 4. The total duration | Multiply by the duration of the course, factoring in an annual increase in fees and the fluctuation of the XAF/ZAR exchange rate. |
The exchange rate deserves real attention. A budget calculated on today's rate may prove insufficient in two years' time.
A budget established with you
We calculate the exact cost of your project, in CFA francs and rands, before any commitment.
- Estimated total cost over the duration of the course
- Calculation of non-SADC student specific fees
- Comparison between establishments and between cities
- Identification of grants suited to your profile
- Support for scholarship applications
- Advice on payment methods from Gabon
Figures verified, not estimates
Nearly twenty years ago, the founder of Okoumé self-funded his studies in South Africa. Now a permanent resident, he knows what an international student budget really involves.
- The hidden costsNon-SADC fees, mandatory health insurance, annual increases: we build them in from the start.
- In two currenciesA budget devised in both CFA francs and rands, with the issue of exchange rates dealt with honestly.
- Without any promiseWe do not sell a miracle scholarship. We tell you what is actually accessible.
Good to know
How much does it cost to study in South Africa for a Gabonese student?
Why does a Gabonese student pay more than a Congolese student?
Are there full scholarships to study in South Africa?
Can I pay the tuition fees in instalments?
How do I send money from Gabon?
Do university fees increase every year?
How much would your project cost?
Book your free 30-minute consultation, in French. Together, we will establish a realistic, costed and no-obligation estimate.
