Despite the successful #FeesMustFall campaign, parents still have to dig deep to pay for a year of university study.The Saturday Dispatch spoke to five universities about what it cost annually to read for the most popular degrees.
Walter Sisulu University spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said these were: education R27200, engineering R32250, medicine R51340 and accounting R26460.
“Students don’t qualify for NSFAS are expected to pay a minimum initial payment of R3900 (non-residence), and R5540 (residence). A single room costs from R15540 to R28000 depending on various factors.”
Rhodes University media liaison officer Catherine Deiner said their most popular degree, a Bachelor of Arts, cost R37200 (although this varied according to modules).
“The cost of residence for the year is R50500.”
Deiner said registration fees were 10% of the annual fees and had to be paid by January 18.
“Textbooks vary vastly in price and courses differ in the number of textbooks required but all textbooks are available in the library and can be used on short loan.
“Approximately 1000 students rely on NSFAS funding and R43.7-million is still owed by approximately 2600 students from 2015. R19-million is still outstanding from 2013 and 2014.
Deiner said debt of more than R9-million had been handed over to attorneys of which R8.9-million was foreign debt.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) spokeswoman Debbie Derry said their registration down payment for a degree was R6200 and R4300 for a diploma.
Popular degrees and their costs are: civil engineering (R24830), radiography (R21550), pharmacy (R32860) and social work (R32000).
Residence fees were about R20000.
She said: “NMMU has a number of interventions to assist its students.
“Our intervention also benefits those students who are not poor enough to receive NSFAS funding, but also not wealthy enough to pay for their own tuition.
“We also have a merit system that rewards students who do well academically.
“We have distributed R1.44-billion in bursaries over the last five years.”
Stellenbosch University spokesman liaison Martin Viljoen listed their popular courses and prices as: arts R33234), science R40680, commerce R33106, and engineering R45073 and medicine R51120.
“Accommodation amounts to R29880 (double room, men); R36360 (single room, men) and R29260 (double room, women) and R35520 (single room, women).”
Residence meals cost about R15000.
Viljoen said residence for woman was cheaper because men “are a bit harder on the residences – more breakages”.
Books can cost up to R5000 and internet usage about R1200.
Kemantha Govender, spokeswoman for Wits said there were no registration fees and a waiver period was available for less fortunate families.
“The university has waived the first payment for students who cannot afford it. Poor students are required to make the first instalment of their tuition fees by March 31.
“If students still cannot afford to pay by March, they must enter into a payment plan with the university.”
Popular subjects and their costs: medicine and surgery R58140, social work R39960, education at R29620, accounting R41400 and arts degrees cost between R33640 and R43320.
Residence costs between R40000 and R70000. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
lSee also page 15
Parents dig deep to pay varsity fees
The Saturday Dispatch spoke to five universities about what it cost annually to read for the most popular degrees.
Walter Sisulu University spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said these were: education R27200, engineering R32250, medicine R51340 and accounting R26460.
“Students don’t qualify for NSFAS are expected to pay a minimum initial payment of R3900 (non-residence), and R5540 (residence). A single room costs from R15540 to R28000 depending on various factors.”
Rhodes University media liaison officer Catherine Deiner said their most popular degree, a Bachelor of Arts, cost R37200 (although this varied according to modules).
“The cost of residence for the year is R50500.”
Deiner said registration fees were 10% of the annual fees and had to be paid by January 18.
“Textbooks vary vastly in price and courses differ in the number of textbooks required but all textbooks are available in the library and can be used on short loan.
“Approximately 1000 students rely on NSFAS funding and R43.7-million is still owed by approximately 2600 students from 2015. R19-million is still outstanding from 2013 and 2014.
Deiner said debt of more than R9-million had been handed over to attorneys of which R8.9-million was foreign debt.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) spokeswoman Debbie Derry said their registration down payment for a degree was R6200 and R4300 for a diploma.
Popular degrees and their costs are: civil engineering (R24830), radiography (R21550), pharmacy (R32860) and social work (R32000).
Residence fees were about R20000.
She said: “NMMU has a number of interventions to assist its students.
“Our intervention also benefits those students who are not poor enough to receive NSFAS funding, but also not wealthy enough to pay for their own tuition.
“We also have a merit system that rewards students who do well academically.
“We have distributed R1.44-billion in bursaries over the last five years.”
Stellenbosch University spokesman liaison Martin Viljoen listed their popular courses and prices as: arts R33234), science R40680, commerce R33106, and engineering R45073 and medicine R51120.
“Accommodation amounts to R29880 (double room, men); R36360 (single room, men) and R29260 (double room, women) and R35520 (single room, women).”
Residence meals cost about R15000.
Viljoen said residence for woman was cheaper because men “are a bit harder on the residences – more breakages”.
Books can cost up to R5000 and internet usage about R1200.
Kemantha Govender, spokeswoman for Wits said there were no registration fees and a waiver period was available for less fortunate families.
“The university has waived the first payment for students who cannot afford it. Poor students are required to make the first instalment of their tuition fees by March 31.
“If students still cannot afford to pay by March, they must enter into a payment plan with the university.”
Popular subjects and their costs: medicine and surgery R58140, social work R39960, education at R29620, accounting R41400 and arts degrees cost between R33640 and R43320.
Residence costs between R40000 and R70000. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
lSee also page 15
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