Research
The historically high cost of tertiary education in South Africa
Stellenbosch Working Paper Series No. WP02/2016Publication date: 2016
Author(s):
[protected email address]
(Department of Economics, University of Stellenbosch)
[protected email address] (Department of Economics, University of Stellenbosch)
Abstract:[protected email address] (Department of Economics, University of Stellenbosch)
The #FeesMustFall-campaign’s main objection was against the high and rising tuition fees of higher education in South Africa. This short note investigates this assertion from a historical perspective: Are university fees more expensive than a decade or a century ago? We document historical tuition fees at one of South Africa’s premier universities – Stellenbosch University. The answer is an unequivocal yes.
JEL Classification:H52
Keywords:South Africa, tertiary education, university, protests, budget, public economics, fiscal spending
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Upcoming Seminars
Monday 13 October 202512:10-13:10
Prof Euan Phimister: Stellenbosch Business School
Topic: "TBA"
12:10-13:10
Dr Friedrich Kreuser: Stellenbosch University
Topic: "Allocative Efficiency, Labour Shares, and Corporate Lobbying in European Manufacturing"
12:10-13:10
Prof Masashige Hamano: Waseda University
Topic: "TBA"
BER Weekly
26 Sep 2025 Free Weekly Review | Number 37 | 26 SeptemberThis report covers the key domestic and international data releases over the past week. The more comprehensive BER Weekly Review (Enhanced Version) includes a detailed discussion on the main economic events and developments over the past week, a summary of upcoming data (the week ahead) and the BER’s forecast for key economic indicators....
Read the full issue