What you pay and when

Researched by the VarsityStart team from official university sources. Last checked 10 October 2026. How we check

First payment (2026): R11,000 for undergraduates and R13,500 for postgraduates, before registration. Students funded by NSFAS or an external sponsor are exempt. 2027 amounts were not yet published.
Pay at least five days before your registration date to allow for processing.
Bursary holders: give Student Accounts a sponsor confirmation letter at least five days before registration, or pay the first payment yourself.
Residence amount (check): our sources disagree. The 2026 first-year notice says students placed in a UP residence pay an additional R5,700 as soon as possible, while UP's fee pages say the residence acceptance levy is included in the first instalment. Confirm which applies to you with UP Student Accounts.
If NSFAS funding is pending, the financial hold is lifted once funding is confirmed.