SOUTH AFRICA · JOHANNESBURG
University of the Witwatersrand
public · Founded 1922 · Languages: en
In short
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a globally recognized institution in Johannesburg, South Africa, offering over 100 years of academic excellence and research opportunities across various faculties. It provides a vibrant campus life with significant global partnerships and a commitment to addressing societal challenges.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1922
- Students
- 40,000
- International students
- 4,000
- Acceptance rate
- 16%
- Tuition (intl)
- €3–7k/yr
- Languages
- EN
- Location
- Johannesburg, South Africa
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a globally recognized institution located in Johannesburg, South Africa. With over 100 years of history, Wits is celebrated for its academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and commitment to social justice. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various faculties, including health sciences, humanities, business leadership, engineering, and scientific innovation. Wits is dedicated to making a positive impact on society through its research and community engagement, addressing challenges in Africa and globally. Spanning seven campuses in Parktown and Braamfontein, Wits provides a vibrant campus environment. It is unique in owning a private hospital, the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, and also features a digital dome, museums, and galleries. The university fosters strong global partnerships, including collaborations with University College London to advance research in health, climate, and artificial intelligence. Wits places a strong emphasis on research and innovation, seeking solutions to 21st-century challenges. Its interdisciplinary research centers, such as the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute (MIND) and the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), focus on areas like AI, inequality, climate change, and advanced drug delivery systems, contributing significantly to knowledge creation and societal development.
Why study here
- Academic excellence and globally recognized degrees across various fields.
- Access to cutting-edge research opportunities, particularly in AI, health sciences, and inequality studies.
- Vibrant campus life in the economic hub of Africa, offering diverse experiences.
- Commitment to social justice and impact on local and global challenges.
- Strong international partnerships and a multidisciplinary approach to education.
Student life
Wits University offers a dynamic campus life with a focus on community, leadership, and lifelong connections. On-campus accommodation options include catered and self-catering residences, providing secure and inclusive living spaces. Residences offer study areas, Wi-Fi, social lounges, and sports facilities. A free Wits bus service connects all residences to campuses and nearby amenities like Rosebank Mall. The university prioritizes student safety with 24-hour CCTV, security patrols, and an escort service, complemented by the Wits mySOS emergency app. Various departments provide essential support, including academic assistance, financial aid services, and a dedicated call center for inquiries.
Fees
InternationalInternational undergraduate tuition typically ranges from roughly 3,000 to 6,500 EUR per year depending on the faculty and programme, with health sciences and certain professional degrees at the higher end. International students are usually required to pay an international registration/levy and to settle fees in advance.
HomeSouth African students pay lower regulated tuition fees, which vary by faculty and number of course credits.
LivingStudents should budget approximately 4,000–7,000 EUR per year for accommodation, food, transport and personal expenses in Johannesburg, depending on lifestyle and whether they live in university residences.
International applicants must hold a valid study visa and medical aid (health insurance) as required by South African regulations. Fee estimates are indicative and should be confirmed on the university's fees pages.
Admissions
BAS (Hons)Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree or an Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology or an equivalent degree at National Q.
Master of Urban Studies (Housing and Human Settlements)An Honours or equivalent degree with a minimum of 65% aggregate. Differently qualified candidates with substantial work experience (minimum four years) in housing at senior management level, but with formal qualifications at lower levels, may be considered after a personal interview. All applicants must submit a compulsory assignment.
BCom GeneralAPS 38+, English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5, Mathematics Level 5. Applicants with an APS of 35-37, English Level 6 and Mathematics Level 6 may be wait-listed.
BSc GeneralAPS 42+, English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5, Mathematics Level 5. Applicants with 40-41 points may be wait-listed.
IELTS6.5 overall (some programmes require 7.0)
TOEFL iBT90 or above (programme dependent)
Rankings
Unnamed SourceTop 1% worldwide
QS World University Rankings#291 (2025)
University scholarships
Wits International Merit ScholarshipsPartial tuition reduction
Postgraduate Merit Awards (PMA)Varies
Accreditation
The University of the Witwatersrand is a public university registered with the South African Department of Higher Education and Training, and its qualifications are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The Wits Business School holds international accreditation.
Programs
a selectionUniversity of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the human past through the analysis of material remains. This program explores the entire spectrum of human history, from the Early Stone Age to more recent historical periods, incorporating excavation techniques and rock art analysis. It offers a unique perspective on human evolution, environmental changes, and cultural systems. The vast timescale covered by archaeology, spanning millions of years in Africa, makes it an ideal complementary subject for students of environmental change and human history. It also provides valuable context for modern historical research and offers insights into past cultural systems, making it an excellent companion to anthropology. Archaeology can be pursued as a major subject within either a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Most archaeology courses are delivered at the Origins North building.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
Bachelor of Audiology
The Bachelor of Audiology program is a four-year degree designed to equip students with expertise in Audiology and Psychology. The curriculum also incorporates essential related subjects such as South African Sign Language, Linguistics, Anatomy, and Neurology. Practical training is a key component, conducted at the University’s own Speech and Hearing Clinic, as well as various external clinics in hospitals, schools, and care facilities located in both urban and rural settings. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates are well-prepared for diverse professional environments.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
University of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
The Wits Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program is designed to equip you with foundational knowledge in core business disciplines, preparing you for a successful career in the commercial and related sectors. You'll gain expertise in areas like Economics, Accounting, Commercial Law, Information Systems, and Mathematics/Statistics. The program structure allows for foundational courses to be taken either as full-year subjects or as semester courses, with some prerequisites for progression. The BCom is a double major degree, offering flexibility to explore up to three potential majors from your second year onwards, allowing you to delve deeper into specific interests while maintaining the option to finalize your choices later. You can choose majors from within the Commerce, Law, and Management faculty, or even select approved courses from other faculties like Science or Humanities. For those undecided about their specific major, the BCom General degree provides a flexible pathway, allowing you to switch between specializations more easily. This program is associated with high graduate employment rates, making Wits graduates highly sought after both locally and internationally.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
University of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) is a four-year, full-time degree designed to qualify you as a teacher in South Africa. Upon graduation, you can register as a professional educator with the South African Council for Educators (SACE). This program allows you to specialize in one of three phases: Foundation Phase (Grades R-3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-7), or Senior and FET Phases (Grades 8-12). While all B.Ed students share some core courses, others are tailored to your chosen specialization. You will also gain practical experience through a mandatory 6-week teaching experience placement each year.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
University of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Foundation Phase Teaching
This Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree prepares you to teach in any school in South Africa and to register with the South African Council of Educators (SACE). You can also pursue a career in educational research. The program focuses on Foundation Phase Teaching, specifically for children in Grades R-3. This involves helping young learners develop essential literacy and numeracy skills, fostering a love for learning, and encouraging exploration through subjects like Life Skills. You will gain practical teaching experience throughout your studies.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
University of the Witwatersrand · South Africa
BSc Physiotherapy
This program focuses on improving patients' quality of life through skilled evaluation and therapy designed to reduce pain and restore movement and physical function. Graduates can help patients regain their ability to perform daily activities, and maintain mobility, muscle strength, and exercise endurance. Physiotherapists often work as part of multidisciplinary teams in various settings including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, private practices, special schools, disability centers, and sports facilities.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Scholarships
for South Africa
full fundingAccenture Education Trust Fund
Accenture Education Trust Scholarship
Open to South African citizens from low-income households (parents/guardian earnings under R1 million) with a strong academic record who are enrolled full-time at a selected tertiary institution in South Africa.
full
Funding
€9k
Max
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Pretoria
University of Pretoria Commonwealth PhD Scholarship
Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries (excluding South Africa) who hold a master's degree completed at least two years before applying and are under 38 years of age at the time of application. Applicants must not be current or former master's or doctoral students at the University of Pretoria. The award funds full doctoral study at UP with tuition coverage, a living allowance, and research support.
full
Funding
€0k
Max
Sep 20, 2026
Deadline
full fundingThe Mandela Rhodes Foundation
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
African nationals aged ~19–30 with a strong academic record (~70%+ average) pursuing an honours or master’s degree at a South African university, showing leadership and a commitment to Africa’s development.
full
Funding
—
Max
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the estimated tuition fees for international students at the University of the Witwatersrand?
+
International undergraduate tuition fees at Wits typically range from approximately 3,000 to 6,500 EUR per year, varying by faculty and program. Some professional degrees and health sciences programs are at the higher end of this range. International students usually need to pay an additional registration fee and settle fees in advance.
What is the cost of living for students in Johannesburg?
+
Students should budget around 4,000–7,000 EUR annually for accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses in Johannesburg. This estimate depends on individual lifestyle choices and whether students opt for university residences.
What are the English language proficiency requirements for international students?
+
International applicants need to demonstrate English proficiency, as it is the language of instruction. Accepted tests include IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 (some programs may require 7.0) and TOEFL iBT with a score of 90 or above, though program-specific requirements can vary.
Does the University of the Witwatersrand offer scholarships for international students?
+
Yes, Wits offers scholarships such as the Wits International Merit Scholarships, which provide a partial tuition reduction for high-achieving international students. Postgraduate students may also be eligible for Postgraduate Merit Awards (PMA), which are merit-based funding opportunities.
What academic strengths does the University of the Witwatersrand have?
+
Wits is recognized for its academic excellence and is ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide. It is particularly strong in cutting-edge research areas such as artificial intelligence, health sciences, and inequality studies, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
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