The money spent on university applications that are turned down is not refundable in most cases. In spite of what looks like huge profits from the outside, universities say it is the cost of doing business — but they meet economically challenged South Africans half-way.
University of Johannesburg (UJ) spokesperson Herman Esterhuizen told TimesLIVE Premium on Thursday that UJ has received a record number of applications for the 2025 academic year.
“For the 2025 academic year, more than 400,000 applicants have submitted more than 760,000 applications — study choices. This is an increase of almost 60,000 applicants — and nearly 125,000 study choices — from the previous year,” he said.
“However, UJ does not charge application fees for online applications. Our online applications are therefore for free. UJ charges a R200 fee for paper applications. The number of students who have submitted paper-based applications for the 2025 academic year is minimal — less than 1%.
“The fee charged for paper-based applications covers the administrative costs to move paper-applications into the online environment.”
Stellenbosch University's Martin Viljoen agrees with his northern colleague.
“Universities charge application fees primarily to offset the administrative expenses involved in processing applications. These costs encompass reviewing academic records, managing application systems and ensuring each application receives thorough consideration,” Viljoen said on Thursday.
“Given the substantial volume of applications many institutions in South Africa receive, these fees help maintain an efficient and equitable admissions process.”
While application fees are essential for managing the logistical aspects of university admissions, institutions often provide mechanisms to assist applicants for whom these fees may pose a financial burden
— Martin Viljoen, Stellenbosch University
He confirmed that most universities maintain a non-refundable policy.
“This is because the fees are used to cover the costs incurred during the application review process, regardless of the application’s outcome. Therefore once an application is submitted, the associated fee is typically not refunded.
“However, to promote accessibility, many universities offer fee waivers or reduced fees for applicants who demonstrate financial need. At Stellenbosch University the R100 application fee is waived for all applicants from quintile 1-4 schools.”
This exemption is automatically applicable when applicants indicate their school when they apply to Stellenbosch University, he said.
“If an applicant is not attending a quintile 1 to 4 school but is struggling to afford the R100 application fee, the applicant can also submit a request with the necessary motivation. Prospective students can consult the guideline for application fees on the application portal.
“In summary, while application fees are essential for managing the logistical aspects of university admissions, institutions often provide mechanisms to assist applicants for whom these fees may pose a financial burden.”
This after the Public Servants Association (PSA) expressed concern in a statement issued this week “about the payment of university application fees resulting in universities making vast profits even when rejecting these applications.
“One university reportedly received over 600,000 applications, with applicants each paying a R200 application fees. The university made an enormous profit of R150m to just reject applications,” the PSA said.
“The majority of universities received more than 300,000 applications while having an average on only 5,500 spaces, leaving a vast number of learners disappointed. Historically, universities have established that there will be much more applications than admissions, which to most of these universities equals free money. The application fee is an unnecessary financial burden on learners from low-income families who are struggling to cover the costs of necessities.”
The PSA urged the minister of higher education, Nobuhle Nkabane, to “abolish these non-refundable application fees and allow pupils to freely apply at these universities”.
Education expert Prof Mary Metcalfe does not believe the fees are profit-driven.
“I would want to check with more institutions the fees charged and the number of applicants, rather than with the overall figures. In principle the fees charged by each institution should cover the costs of providing the service and not be in excess of those costs. University councils should ask for reports on this matter,” she said.
The office of the minister of higher education could not immediately comment.
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