Cost is one of the biggest factors students weigh when choosing between South African universities, and the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is generally positioned as one of the more affordable public universities in the country — see how it stacks up in our UMP vs other universities comparison. Here’s a breakdown of what to budget for.
Application fee
| Applicant category | Approximate fee |
|---|---|
| South African citizens | R150 – R200 |
| SADC citizens | R150 – R400 |
| International applicants | R350 – R550 |
These are non-refundable and payable when you submit your UMP application.
Registration deposit
Most degree and diploma programmes require an initial tuition registration deposit of approximately R4,100, though some diploma programmes are lower (around R1,444). Students offered on-campus residence should also budget roughly R2,445 for a self-catering accommodation deposit. See our UMP registration guide for the full step-by-step process.
Tuition fees
Full annual tuition varies by programme and qualification level (Higher Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate). UMP publishes its detailed, programme-by-programme fee schedule on the official website each year — because these figures are revised annually, treat any number you see on a third-party site (including this one) as an estimate and confirm the exact current fee for your specific programme directly with UMP’s Finance Office before budgeting.
NSFAS funding at UMP
UMP is a public university, so NSFAS is obligated to fund eligible students who study there. NSFAS covers tuition, learning materials, and — depending on your circumstances — transport and a living allowance, for undergraduate qualifications. To qualify, your combined household income generally needs to fall within NSFAS’s threshold (up to R350,000 a year for the standard means test).
How to apply for NSFAS
- Apply directly on the NSFAS website (not through UMP) — myNSFAS applications typically open toward the end of the year for the following academic year
- Upload supporting documents: ID, proof of income (or an affidavit if unemployed), and consent forms for you and your parents/guardians
- Once NSFAS confirms your funding, it can be used to cover your UMP registration deposit directly, so try to get NSFAS confirmation before UMP’s registration deadline
Postgraduate students generally need to look at alternative funding (bursaries, NRF funding, or self-funding), as NSFAS mainly covers undergraduate study.
Fee figures in this article are indicative estimates gathered from published guides and are not official UMP pricing — always confirm exact amounts with UMP’s Finance Office or the official fee schedule before making any payment.