Returning Unam students to fork out N$6 000 for registration

THE University of Namibia (Unam) says Namibian students who fall outside the government’s free higher education funding model, will be required to pay N$6 975 in registration fees for the 2026 academic year.

This was confirmed by Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho on Tuesday.

“The subsidised funding model is only applicable to students pursuing their first undergraduate qualification,” he said.

“This excludes students who are repeating, those pursuing a second or subsequent qualification at the same or lower NQF level, as well as postgraduate students at levels nine and ten, which are master’s and PhD programmes,” he added.

Students enrolling for their first undergraduate qualification between National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels five and eight will not be required to pay registration or tuition fees.

“You will not pay the N$6 975 and you will also not pay tuition fees. The only cost such students will pay is accommodation – if they stay in Unam hostels,” he said.

Namesho said students currently funded under existing contractual agreements with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) also fall outside the new subsidised funding model.

In a media statement yesterday, Unam said it was notifying “all students” of the compulsory minimum payments.

Namesho clarified that the fees apply only to students who are not covered by the subsidised funding model.

According to Unam, the N$6 975 payable by Namibian students includes a tuition deposit of N$4 000, registration fees of N$1 500, connectivity fees of N$575, technology fees of N$750 and a student administration levy of N$150.

Students from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are required to pay N$12 125, while non-SADC students must pay N$20 775. These amounts include higher tuition deposits and an international student levy of N$3 500 for non-Namibian students.

Unam said at least 60% of the total fee balance must be paid by 30 June 2026, with the remaining 40% due by 30 November 2026.

A 10% discount on tuition fees, excluding additional class fees, is available to students who pay their fees in full before the end of February 2026. Applications for the discount must be submitted in writing by 31 May 2026.

Bursary holders may be exempted from paying the tuition deposit if they provide written proof of sponsorship. Students who register after the normal registration period will be charged a late registration fee of N$600.

The university also reminded students that cash payments are no longer accepted. Payments can be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT), bank deposits, card swipe facilities at campus cashier points or through Unam’s online payment platform.

Unam has also released its 2026 residence fees, which vary by campus, room type and student category. For Namibian and SADC students, annual hostel fees range from N$6 140 for a quadruple room to N$31 970 for a single room, depending on the campus.

Non-SADC students pay double the accommodation fees.

A 20% accommodation deposit is required at registration, with the balance payable in equal monthly instalments over ten months, ending on 30 November 2026.

A wear-and-tear fee of N$975 must be paid before or on the day of hostel registration.

Unam said compulsory breakfast has been removed from accommodation fees and will be paid separately. The university emphasised that any outstanding hostel fees from previous years must be settled before students can register for accommodation in 2026.

Former parliamentarian Joseph Kauandenge on Tuesday described free tertiary education as a mere political gimmick.

“It now becomes clear from the statement by the education minister last week that this was and remains a political game by the Swapo-led government, which clearly lacks foresight and planning, and is out of touch with the current reality of our education system,” he said.

He said it was regrettable that students had been sold a dream that would mainly serve those from well-off backgrounds, while most would remain excluded.

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