NWU Postgraduate Tuition & Fees: 2026/2027

Honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas

• Fees for honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas generally range between R34,950 and R89,200 per annum depending on the faculty, programme structure, laboratory requirements, and campus.
• Economic & Management Sciences: R38,370 – R86,360
• Education: R50,370 – R67,240
• Engineering: R34,040 – R43,360
• Health Sciences: R36,720 – R54,580
• Human & Social Sciences: R34,950 – R48,270
• Natural & Agricultural Sciences: R37,830 – R62,890
• Law: R40,200 – R52,700

Fees may vary depending on the composition of the qualification and selected campus. Students studying over more than one year should note that annual fee increases may apply in subsequent years.

Coursework master’s degrees

Coursework master’s degree fees vary significantly depending on faculty, research requirements, and professional accreditation components. Verified 2026 fee ranges are as follows:

• Economic & Management Sciences (MCom, MBA, MPhil, PG Dip): R39,010 – R198,500
• Education (MEd, PGCE, Advanced Diplomas): R50,370 – R67,240
• Engineering (MEng, MTech, MPhil): R58,870 – R72,780
• Health Sciences (MMed, MSc Clin, MPH, MCur): R61,800 – R104,410
• Human & Social Sciences (MA, MSocSci, MPhil): R49,800 – R83,340
• Law (LLM, PG Dip Law): R50,370 – R57,850
• Natural & Agricultural Sciences (MSc, MTech): R52,140 – R87,000
• Theology (MTh, MDiv): R47,700 – R66,000

Fees are subject to annual increases and may differ between the Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark campuses.

Research master’s degrees (dissertation-based)

• Average annual tuition fee: R24,710 – R38,500
• Fees vary according to faculty, research intensity, laboratory usage, and campus requirements.

Doctoral degrees (PhD)

• Average annual tuition fee: R26,475 – R42,300
• Higher-end fees usually apply to laboratory-based, clinical, or fieldwork-intensive doctoral programmes.

Registration Fees, Upfront Payments & Payment Deadlines

• Non-refundable registration fee: R650
• Non-refundable ICT levy: R500
• Minimum upfront payment for postgraduate day students: R7,500
• Minimum upfront payment for residence students: R11,200
• International postgraduate students are required to pay 50% of the total annual cost before registration.

Payment Deadlines:

• Year modules: 60% payable by 30 April 2026 and 100% payable by 31 August 2026
• Semester modules:
  • First semester modules: payable in full by 30 April 2026
  • Second semester modules: payable in full by 31 August 2026

Early Settlement Discounts

• 4% discount for accounts settled on or before 28 February 2026
• 3% discount for accounts settled on or before 31 March 2026
• 2% discount for accounts settled on or before 30 April 2026

Discounts do not apply to non-subsidised programmes, sponsor-funded accounts, extracurricular programmes, or international students.

Additional Verified Charges (2026)

• Application Fee: None (for most postgraduate programmes)
• International Levy (SADC/African Countries): R2,090
• International Levy (Other Countries): R17,780
• Dissertation/Thesis Re-submission Fee: R1,050
• Re-marking of Examination Paper: R450 per module
• Translation of Degree Certificate: R210
• Re-issue of Degree Certificate: R320
• Lost Student Card Replacement: R200
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment: R4,500
• Campus Transfer Fee (where applicable): R350

Banking Details for Tuition Payments

• Bank: Standard Bank
• Branch: Potchefstroom
• Branch Code: 051001
• Account Name: North-West University – Student Fees
• Account Number: 070101330
• Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
• Account Type: Cheque Account
• Payment Reference: Your Student Number ONLY
• Proof of Payment Email: studentfinance@nwu.ac.za

Important Notes

• The University reserves the right to amend fees without prior notice.
• Fees may differ between Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark campuses depending on programme delivery requirements.
• Conditional registration may be cancelled if required academic documentation is not submitted before the stipulated deadlines.
• Application fees, registration fees, ICT levies, late registration fees, international levies, dissertation re-submission fees, and examination fees are non-refundable.
• Total cancellation before 28 February 2026 qualifies for tuition credit excluding non-refundable charges.
• The University may levy interest on overdue student accounts in line with the Prescribed Rate of Interest Act.
• Students with outstanding balances may have examination results withheld, registration blocked, residence access restricted, or accounts handed over for collection.

Source: Official North-West University 2026 Fees Booklet and Student Finance Office. Fees are subject to change by the university without prior notice.