Planning to apply to North-West University for the 2027 academic year? Before submitting your online application, you need to know how much the NWU administration fee costs and how it must be paid.
For the 2027 application cycle, NWU charges different administration fees for South African and international applicants. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid before an application can be submitted successfully.
How Much Is the NWU Application Fee for 2027?
The North-West University administration fees for 2027 are:
- South African applicants: R150
- International applicants: R600
NWU refers to this payment as a non-refundable administration fee. The university’s official application portal states that the fee can only be paid online.
NWU Application Fee 2027 at a Glance
| Applicant category | Amount payable |
|---|---|
| South African applicants | R150 |
| International applicants | R600 |
Applicants must pay the correct amount for their category before attempting to submit the online application.
Is the NWU Application Fee Refundable?
No. The NWU administration fee is non-refundable.
This means the money will not be returned if:
- Your application is unsuccessful
- You no longer want to study at NWU
- You select the wrong programme
- You fail to provide the required documents
- You miss an application or selection deadline
- You decide to apply to another institution
Payment of the fee does not guarantee admission. NWU will still assess your academic results, programme requirements, available space and any applicable selection criteria.
When Must You Pay the NWU Application Fee?
The administration fee must be paid before you can submit your application through the online portal.
NWU’s official frequently asked questions explain that applicants must complete the payment before the system will allow them to submit the application.
Applicants should therefore not wait until the closing date to make payment. Delayed or unsuccessful payments may prevent the application from being submitted on time.
How to Pay the NWU Application Fee
NWU states that the administration fee must be paid online.
The general payment process is:
- Start your application on the official NWU application portal.
- Complete the required personal and academic information.
- Proceed to the online payment section.
- Select the available online payment method.
- Pay the correct administration fee.
- Wait for the payment to be confirmed.
- Complete and submit the application.
- Save your payment receipt and application confirmation.
Applicants should follow the instructions shown on the portal because payment options and system steps may be updated.
Can You Pay the NWU Application Fee by Bank Deposit?
The main undergraduate application pages state that the administration fee can only be paid online. Applicants should therefore use the payment option provided through the official NWU application system unless the university gives them different written instructions.
International postgraduate applicants may receive additional payment instructions from the relevant postgraduate admissions office. They should follow the instructions that apply to their particular application category.
Do You Need Proof of Payment?
International applicants must include proof of payment of the R600 administration fee among their supporting documents for the 2027 application cycle.
All applicants should keep a copy of their receipt or payment confirmation, even when the payment is automatically recorded on the portal.
The proof should clearly show:
- The amount paid
- The payment date
- The payment status
- The applicant’s reference
- The transaction number
- The institution receiving the payment
A clear payment receipt may help NWU trace the transaction if the payment does not appear on your application profile.
What Reference Should You Use?
Applicants must use the reference provided during the NWU online payment process.
Where NWU supplies separate payment instructions, the reference may be based on the applicant’s:
- NWU student or university number; or
- Identity number in the format specified by NWU
Do not use another person’s name, student number or identity number as your payment reference. An incorrect reference may make it difficult for the university to connect the payment to your application.
Is the Application Fee the Same as the Registration Fee?
No. The administration fee is not the same as registration or tuition fees.
The application administration fee is paid when applying for admission. Registration and tuition fees become relevant after an applicant has received an offer and is preparing to register as a student.
Paying the R150 or R600 administration fee does not cover:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Residence fees
- Textbooks
- Study materials
- Transport
- Meals
- Laptop or data expenses
Applicants should plan separately for the full cost of studying at NWU.
Does NSFAS Pay the NWU Application Fee?
Applicants should not assume that NSFAS will automatically pay the administration fee when they apply to NWU.
The administration fee is required before the NWU online application can be submitted. Applicants should arrange payment through the official portal unless NWU confirms that a specific exemption applies to them.
Applying for admission at NWU and applying for NSFAS funding are separate processes.
Can You Apply Without Paying the Fee?
The official NWU application information states that applicants must pay the administration fee before they can submit through the online portal.
This means you may be able to create an application profile and enter some information, but you may not be able to complete the final submission until the payment has been processed.
An application that has only been created or saved is not necessarily a submitted application.
Are There Additional Selection Fees?
Certain specialised programmes may have separate selection costs in addition to the general NWU administration fee.
For example, the university’s 2027 application information for the Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Psychology lists a separate compulsory, non-refundable selection fee of R420 for applicants to that programme.
This additional fee does not apply to every NWU applicant. Applicants should check the faculty and programme instructions for their selected qualification to determine whether another selection fee is required.
Documents Needed for an NWU Application
South African undergraduate applicants should generally prepare:
- A certified copy of their South African ID
- Final Grade 11 results if they are currently in Grade 12
- Final Grade 12 results if they have completed matric
- An academic record and certificate of conduct if they studied elsewhere
- Additional selection documents where required
International applicants generally need:
- A certified copy of a valid passport
- Final school results or previous qualification certificates
- Complete academic transcripts
- A SAQA evaluation for qualifications obtained outside South Africa
- Proof of payment of the R600 administration fee
- Proof of English proficiency where required
Postgraduate applicants may also need degree certificates, full academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae and a research concept or proposal.
NWU 2027 Application Dates
NWU applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 1 June 2026.
The university published the following closing dates:
- Selection programmes: 30 June 2026
- General undergraduate programmes: 31 August 2026
- Residence applications: 31 August 2026
- Postgraduate applications: 30 November 2026
The selection-programme deadline of 30 June 2026 has already passed. Applicants interested in a selection programme should check their programme page to see whether any application opportunity remains available. General undergraduate and residence applications are scheduled to close on 31 August 2026.
How to Apply to NWU for 2027
Follow these general steps:
- Visit the official NWU application website.
- Create an application profile using an active email address.
- Verify your email address.
- Log in and complete your personal details.
- Enter your school and academic information.
- Choose your preferred programme and campus.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Complete the undertaking form where required.
- Pay the applicable administration fee online.
- Review your application carefully.
- Submit the application.
- Save your NWU student number and submission confirmation.
Applicants should regularly monitor their email, cellphone messages and application status for updates or requests for outstanding documents.
Common NWU Payment Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following mistakes:
- Paying the incorrect amount
- Using someone else’s student number
- Entering the wrong payment reference
- Paying through an unofficial person or website
- Waiting until the closing date to pay
- Closing the portal before payment is confirmed
- Assuming a saved application has been submitted
- Failing to keep the payment receipt
- Paying a third party who promises guaranteed admission
- Confusing the administration fee with tuition or registration fees
Only use the official NWU application portal and official university payment instructions.
Beware of Application Scams
Applicants should be cautious of individuals who claim that they can guarantee admission, change an application result or secure space in exchange for payment.
The R150 or R600 administration fee does not give any person the power to guarantee admission. Applications are assessed by NWU according to the university’s official admission and selection processes.
Never share your application password, PIN or banking details with an unknown person.
NWU Application Contact Details
Applicants who need assistance can contact NWU through the official channels below:
Email: studies@nwu.ac.za
Call centre: 0860 169 698
WhatsApp: +27 60 070 2606
SMS: 31750
These contact details are published through NWU’s official study information platforms.
When contacting the university about a payment problem, include:
- Your full name and surname
- Your NWU student or application number
- Your ID or passport number
- The date and amount paid
- Your payment receipt
- A brief explanation of the problem
Do not send your password or banking PIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the NWU application fee for 2027?
South African applicants must pay R150, while international applicants must pay R600.
Is the NWU application fee refundable?
No. The fee is non-refundable.
Can I submit my application before paying?
NWU states that the fee must be paid before the online application can be submitted.
Can I pay the application fee online?
Yes. NWU says the administration fee can only be paid online through the available application process.
Does paying the fee guarantee acceptance?
No. Payment allows the application process to continue, but admission depends on academic requirements, selection criteria and available space.
Do international applicants need proof of payment?
Yes. Proof of payment of the R600 administration fee is listed as a required supporting document for international applicants in the 2027 cycle.
Is there an additional selection fee?
Only certain specialised programmes may require an additional selection fee. Check the instructions for your chosen qualification.
Final Reminder
The North-West University administration fee for the 2027 application cycle is R150 for South African applicants and R600 for international applicants.
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online before the application can be submitted. Applicants should use the correct payment reference, keep their receipt and complete the application before the relevant closing date.
Remember that paying the fee does not guarantee admission. You must still meet the academic and selection requirements for your chosen NWU programme.