At the University of Johannesburg, as at all other tertiary institutions, you have to PAY TO STUDY. There are NO FREE COURSES and the fees at universities are high. Make sure you have enough funding to pay for your course BEFORE you apply. If you are accepted and you do not pay for your studies, you may be held responsible for the outstanding amount. The contract you sign with UJ is legally binding and if you are over 18, you become responsible for any debt. Students often see the tuition fees and think that these are the only costs to be paid but tuition fees are only a part of the total cost of a year at UJ.

How can you pay for your studies?

There are a number of ways to fund your studies. If you are very lucky your family can pay for you and support you – OR you might qualify for a scholarship – OR you can try to apply for a bank loan – OR you can try to apply for a bursary.

Bursaries – University of Johannesburg Bursaries 2024

At UJ we offer Merit Bursaries to students who have achieved exceptional academic results. For example if you obtain an Admission Point Score (APS) of between 40 and 42 (70% plus) you can get a 50% discount on your tuition fees.

If you need financial assistance, visit the following websites. They list the majority of bursaries available in South Africa. Please note each bursary has specific requirements so make sure you comply with these before applying.

Merit Bursaries

Merit bursaries will be granted based on final Grade 12 results.

All other merit bursaries will automatically be allocated to your student account.

Download the Under- and Postgradaute Bursary Brochure for an overview.

Refer to Under- and Post Graduate Booklet 2016 for more information.​

External Sponsorship Bursaries – University of Johannesburg Bursaries 2024

To be considered for a bursary administered and awarded by the University of Johannesburg (UJ), applicants complete only one UJ bursary application form.

If you are applying for more than one bursary which are administered and awarded by the University of Johannesburg (i.e. only bursaries with UJ addresses), you may – on a separate page – list the bursaries in alphabetical order for which you would like to be considered and send this list to the University together with one bursary application form. Only one third-party bursary can be awarded per candidate.

Applications must reach the Bursary Office on the respective campuses by no later than 15 November annually of the preceding year. Late applications will not be considered.

Applicants may cancel their applications without any obligation to the University. Doubts regarding prospective studies should therefore not prevent candidates from submitting their applications on time.

These bursaries will be considered only after the June examinations and the results will be announced soon thereafter.

Applications from postgraduate students are considered as soon as the examination results of the previous degree course are known, after which candidates are informed of the outcome thereof. Applications from applicants applying for a bursary for the second or third year of study in a postgraduate degree course (for which examination results are therefore not applicable) are judged on the results of the progress reports from promoters, supervisors and heads of departments with regard to their interim progress.

Refer to External sponsor bursaries and loansfor more information.

Application forms are available here.​​

Honours Bursary –

University of Johannesburg Bursaries 2024/2025