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What is the University of Johannesburg?
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university in Johannesburg, South Africa, formed in 2005 through the merger of Rand Afrikaans University and other institutions. It is a large, comprehensive university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across multiple campuses in the Johannesburg area. It is known particularly for strength in Business, Management and Accounting and in the Social Sciences, though its faculties also cover engineering, health sciences, humanities, law, science and education.
University of Johannesburg
Who it suits and how to use it
- Prospective undergraduates who want a broad choice of programmes in a major urban centre and are comfortable with a large, multi-campus institution.
- Postgraduate and research students, especially in business, management, accounting or social sciences, who want to work with an established South African research university.
- International students considering study in South Africa, who should check programme-specific admission requirements, language requirements and campus location before applying.
A practical next step: go to the official site, pick the faculty that matches your subject, and check the specific programme page for admission requirements, application deadlines and campus. Because UJ is large and spread across several campuses, confirm which campus hosts your programme before you plan travel or accommodation. If your interest is outside business or social sciences, compare UJ's offerings with other South African universities that specialise more narrowly in your field.
How do I apply for admission to UJ?
Apply to the University of Johannesburg by submitting an online application through the official UJ website, then uploading your supporting documents and paying any application fee before the closing date.
University of Johannesburg
Typical application steps
- Choose your qualification and check the admission requirements (APS score, subject rules, and any programme-specific selection tests).
- Create an account on the UJ online application portal and complete the form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload certified copies of your ID or passport, Grade 11 or Grade 12 results (or your previous tertiary records for postgraduate study), and proof of any prior qualifications.
- Pay the application fee if one applies to you, and keep the proof of payment.
- Submit before the deadline, then track your status and respond quickly if UJ requests more documents.
Dates and requirements to confirm
Application windows differ by intake and by faculty, and some programmes (for example, those with limited places or extra selection) close earlier than the general deadline. Always confirm the current dates and the exact document list on the UJ admissions pages rather than relying on second-hand summaries.
A practical next step
Before you start, write down your chosen programme code, your APS score, and the subjects you still need to improve. If your marks fall short, ask about alternative access routes or a related qualification with lower entry requirements, then reapply once you meet them.
What are the tuition fees and payment options at UJ?
UJ does not publish a single flat tuition figure, because fees vary by programme, level of study and whether you are a South African or international student. The official fee schedules and the payment methods are both handled through the university's own finance pages, so the reliable route is to start at University of Johannesburg and navigate to the fees and funding section for your specific qualification.
What to expect
- Tuition is quoted per programme and often per module, so two students in different faculties can pay very different amounts.
- International students typically pay a different rate from local students, and some programmes add levies for materials, laboratories or field trips.
- Fees are usually billed per semester or per year, with a minimum initial payment required before or at registration.
- Residence, meals and study materials are generally charged separately from tuition.
Payment options
UJ's finance pages describe the accepted methods, which normally include electronic funds transfer and card or online payment through the student portal. Many students pay in instalments across the year, but the first payment is usually due at registration. If you cannot pay upfront, the practical next step is to ask about the university's own payment plan and whether you qualify for NSFAS or a UJ merit or need-based bursary, since these are awarded through the institution rather than negotiated at the cashier.
How to decide your next step
| Your situation | What to do first |
|---|---|
| You have an offer for a specific programme | Look up that programme's fee schedule, not the general fees page |
| You are an international student | Confirm the international rate and any deposit before registration |
| You need financial aid | Apply for NSFAS or a UJ bursary before the deadline, not after registering |
| You can only pay part now | Ask the finance office to confirm the minimum registration payment and instalment dates |
For a concrete example: a first-year student in a commerce programme should check the faculty fee schedule, confirm the registration deposit, submit a funding application if eligible, and only then finalise module registration. Getting the exact figures from the current official schedule matters more than any general estimate, because fees are revised each academic year.
Does UJ offer online or distance learning programs?
Yes. The University of Johannesburg offers distance and online learning through its UJ Online programmes, alongside its on-campus offerings. These are designed for students who cannot attend in person regularly — working professionals, people outside Johannesburg, and international students.
H3 What is typically available
- Fully online programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level, delivered through a virtual learning environment.
- Distance learning, where study materials and assessments are handled remotely with limited or no campus attendance.
- Part-time and flexible study options, which suit people balancing work or family commitments.
H3 Who it suits — and the trade-offs
| Learner | Good fit? | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Working professional in South Africa | Yes | Requires strong self-discipline; fewer informal campus interactions |
| Student outside Gauteng or abroad | Yes | Time-zone and internet-access considerations |
| School leaver wanting campus life | Less so | Misses labs, societies and face-to-face networking |
| Programme needing practical labs (e.g. some sciences) | Depends | Not all qualifications can be delivered fully online |
H3 A practical next step Check the specific qualification you want, not just "online study" in general. Programme availability, accreditation and assessment methods differ by faculty, so confirm the mode of delivery for your exact course before applying. Start at University of Johannesburg and look for the UJ Online section, then compare it with University of South Africa, which specialises in distance education, if flexibility is your priority.
What financial aid and scholarships are available for UJ students?
The University of Johannesburg offers a mix of university-funded awards, government-backed aid, and externally funded bursaries, so students generally piece together funding from more than one source rather than relying on a single scholarship.
H3 Funding routes worth knowing
- Merit and academic awards. UJ recognises strong matric results and continued academic performance through internal awards, often applied automatically or through a short application after registration.
- NSFAS. South Africa's National Student Financial Aid Scheme covers tuition, accommodation and a living allowance for qualifying students from low-income households. Applications open early in the year, usually well before the academic term begins.
- Bursaries tied to study area. Faculties and donors fund awards in fields such as accounting, engineering, education and health sciences, sometimes with a work-back obligation.
- Sport, arts and leadership awards. These reward achievement outside the classroom and are typically smaller but less competitive than major bursaries.
- External and corporate bursaries. Banks, mining houses, professional bodies and SETAs fund UJ students, usually with their own selection process.
H3 How to choose where to apply
| If your situation is… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| Household income below the NSFAS threshold | NSFAS first, then university awards |
| Strong academic record, moderate income | Faculty merit awards plus external bursaries |
| Studying a scarce-skills field | Corporate and SETA bursaries in that sector |
| Athlete, artist or student leader | UJ sport, culture and leadership awards |
H3 A practical next step Check the university's official funding pages and the NSFAS portal early, and note each deadline separately — they rarely align. Keep certified copies of your ID, proof of income and academic transcripts in one folder so you can apply quickly when a bursary opens.
For official details, start at University of Johannesburg and NSFAS.
How does UJ support international students and study abroad?
The University of Johannesburg supports international students primarily through dedicated international-office services, visa and study-permit guidance, and orientation for newcomers, while study-abroad activity for UJ students runs through exchange and semester programmes with partner institutions.
For prospective international students
- Admissions and application support for international qualifications, including help understanding document requirements and deadlines.
- Visa and study-permit advice, since South African study visas are handled through the Department of Home Affairs and require an offer letter and proof of funding.
- Orientation and arrival support, covering registration, campus navigation and settling into Johannesburg.
- Fees and funding guidance, including whether international students pay a different rate from domestic students.
For UJ students going abroad
- Exchange and semester-abroad options with partner universities, usually credit-bearing so modules count toward the UJ degree.
- Eligibility typically depends on academic standing, credit completion and sometimes language ability.
- Practical preparation covers module mapping, credit transfer approval and travel or insurance arrangements.
Choosing between the two routes
| Goal | Main route | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Study a full degree at UJ as a foreign national | International admissions plus study visa | Longer commitment, permit and fee complexity |
| Spend one or two semesters at UJ | Visiting or exchange student status | Shorter stay, limited module choice |
| Study part of a UJ degree elsewhere | Outbound exchange | Needs early credit approval to avoid delays |
As a practical next step, check the international office pages on University of Johannesburg for current application dates and visa guidance, then email the international office with your specific situation, such as your nationality, intended programme and whether you want a full degree or a single semester.
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