As first-year students prepare to start the 2026 academic year at the University of Pretoria (UP), the most significant change shaping their entry into university life is the continued increase in upfront registration fees – a development that has sustained attention and debate on campus in recent years. For 2026, undergraduate students are required to pay an initial registration fee of R11 000, an increase of R1 000 from previous years, while postgraduate students must pay R13 500. International non-SADC (Southern African Development Community) first-year students are required to pay R40 000 before registration, while non-SADC postgraduate students have to pay 50% of their total fees upfront. Registration remains an annual process, separate from application, meaning students must re-register and pay the required fees each year.
Previous reporting by PDBY journalists Relebogile Manana and Datis du Preez highlighted the steady rise in registration fees at UP, noting increases from R5 000 in 2022 to R7 500 in 2023 and R10 000 in 2024. This reporting also outlined student concerns about affordability, transparency, and consultation, situating UP’s fee increases within a broader national trend affecting universities across South Africa.
Beyond finances, academic regulations continue to shape the first-year experience. The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations), updated annually and published in UP’s online yearbooks, apply to all faculties and students. They outline assessment rules, progression requirements, and conduct, and students are expected to familiarise themselves with both general and faculty-specific regulations. Lack of awareness is not accepted as grounds for exceptions. These measures are aimed at supporting students’ transition to university-level reading and writing.
Assessment rules remain unchanged. A minimum performance mark of 40% in a module is required for admission to examinations. These processes are administered through Student Administration, a division within the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA), which also co-ordinates examinations, student records, appeals, curriculum information, and scheduling of lectures and assessments.
Student support at UP continues to expand. PDBY spoke to Tshegofatso Kenalepe, a Senior Disability Officer at UP, who explained that Access, Disability, and Inclusion Services (ADIS) plays a central role in ensuring that students with disabilities or specific access needs can participate fully in university life. According to Kenalepe, ADIS works with students, academic departments, and other support services to identify barriers to learning and implement reasonable academic and administrative accommodations, including examination concessions, assistive technology, alternative formats for learning materials, and psychological screening and referrals.
Kenalepe added that students are encouraged to register with ADIS as early as possible to ensure support is in place from the start of the academic year, noting that seeking support is a proactive step towards academic success. Beyond ADIS, first-year students can access a wide range of support services, including mental health, physical health, and financial assistance, through the UP website.
This network of support extends to ensuring students’ physical safety and security on campus. Safety remains a priority on campus, which is why UP provides 24-hour security services, CCTV surveillance, and emergency response support. The Green Route service allows students to request an escort to their residence between 18:00 and 06:00. The university also works with the Hatfield Improvement District to address safety in surrounding areas. Students are encouraged to remain vigilant, avoid displaying valuables, walk in groups, and report suspicious activities.
For first-year students entering UP in 2026, understanding the rise in fees, academic expectations, administrative processes, and available support services is key to navigating their first year. Staying informed and making use of the university’s resources can help students manage the transition into higher education successfully.
