Michaelhouse fees in South Africa: All about the prestigious private school
Michaelhouse is one of South Africa's most prestigious private schools with a rich heritage. The Christian-based boy school has an all-rounded academic system that ensures the holistic growth of learners. The high Michaelhouse fees also make it one of the most expensive educational institutions in the country.
Source: Twitter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Michaelhouse fees in South Africa
- How many students does Michaelhouse have?
- Who is the headmaster at Michaelhouse?
- How big is Michaelhouse?
- What is the most expensive school fee in South Africa?
- What is the most expensive private school in South Africa?
- What is the most expensive government school in South Africa?
- What is the most expensive girls' school in South Africa?
- What is the most expensive girls' school in Cape Town?
- Which Christian boarding schools are in KZN?
- What is Michaelhouse ranked in the world?
Key takeaways
- The all-boys school is equipped with several state-of-the-art facilities for academic, sporting, and cultural learning.
- The Michaelhouse fees include a non-refundable registration fee: R950.
- Annual board and tuition E to A Block: R392,000.
- Debtors' admin fee: R5,534; Non-refundable acceptance fee: R75,000.
Michaelhouse fees in South Africa
Michaelhouse is a private senior boarding school in Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. It was established in 1896 by Anglican Priest Canon James Cameron Todd with just 15 boys and two small houses.
The facility currently has ten boarding houses with a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:10 and writes examinations of the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). Michaelhouse has six learning areas, including;
- Languages
- Arts & Culture
- Human & Social Studies and Languages
- Physical, Mathematical, Computer, and Life Sciences
- Business, Commerce, and Management Studies
- Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology
Source: Getty Images
How much does it cost to go to Michaelhouse School in South Africa?
Michaelhouse is the second-most expensive school in South Africa after its friendly rivals and neighbours, Hilton College. If you are looking for details, you can find the Michaelhouse fees in South Africa PDF, which outlines the full fee structure for the boarding school as follows:
Fee category | Amount (ZAR) | Notes |
Non-refundable registration fee | R950 | Payable on application |
Annual board and tuition (E to A Block) | R392,000 | Per academic year |
Voluntary development levy | R6,470 | Optional contribution |
Debtors’ administration fee | R5,534 | Applies to SA residents not paying by debit order and non-SA residents not paying in advance |
Non-refundable acceptance fee (SA residents) | R75,000 | Payable upon acceptance |
Non-refundable acceptance fee (non-SA residents) | R196,000 | Payable upon acceptance |
Refundable deposit (non-SA residents) | R73,000 | Refundable on exit, subject to conditions |
Discount for annual fees paid in advance | R16,000 | Deducted if full fees are paid upfront |
Other charges | Varies | Stationery, textbooks, uniforms, and personal items |
Michaelhouse fees and levies are invoiced in 10 equal instalments from December to September the following year, and debit orders are required.
Michaelhouse calendar
As you plan for the academic year, it’s important to understand the school’s four-term calendar. Below is a simplified table showing the start and end dates for each term in 2026, as outlined in the calendar.
Terms | Start date | End date | Half term |
Term 1 | 13 January 2026 | 27 March 2026 | Thursday 19 February – Monday 23 February |
Term 2 | 20 April 2026 | 26 June 2026 | Thursday 21 May – Monday 25 May |
Term 3 | 20 July 2026 | 18 September 2026 | Thursday 20 August – Monday 24 August |
Term 4 | 5 October 2026 | 27 November 2026 | No half-term |
Michaelhouse reserves the right to change the above dates. Kindly keep checking their website for any updates.
Michaelhouse sports
The school strives to nurture boys in all aspects of life, including academics, sports, culture, and environmental issues. The facility's sporting programme offers 14 sports.
They include athletics, basketball, canoeing, cricket, cross country, golf, hockey, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, and water polo.
Michaelhouse is one of the few schools in KwaZulu-Natal that has invested well in sporting activities. The facility has 12 playing fields, including:
- Two Astroturf hockey facilities
- Seven turf cricket pitches
- A dedicated cricket oval
- Athletics track
- Eight tennis courts
- A six-court squash complex with three glass-backed courts
- Indoor and outdoor basketball courts
- A 25m x 25m heated swimming pool
- A 30m x 25m water polo pool
- A state-of-the-art gymnasium
- A golf driving range
- A dam for canoeing enthusiasts
Source: UGC
Michaelhouse contacts
If you need to contact Michaelhouse's management, use the following telephone numbers:
- General school: +27 33 234 1000
- Admissions: +27 33 234 1141
- Old Boy's Club: +27 33 234 1167
You can also email them at:
- Admissions: admissions@michaelhouse.org
- Careers: careers@michaelhouse.org
- General enquiries: info@michaelhouse.org
- Old Boy's Club: oldboys@michaelhouse.org
Alternatively, you can visit the school in Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. They are also on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
Michaelhouse news
Michaelhouse has a newsroom site with the latest news and blog posts to keep students and parents updated about the institution.
Michaelhouse uniform
One of their theme colours is blue. The official uniform consists of a dark blue blazer and black pants, with a white shirt and a red-striped tie.
Source: Facebook
Where is Michaelhouse School in South Africa?
Michaelhouse School in South Africa is located in the Balgowan Valley, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It is 125 km northwest of Durban and 500 km southwest of Johannesburg.
Michaelhouse scholarship
For the students who cannot afford Michaelhouse fees, the school has a scholarship program. Michaelhouse awards scholarships to boys of outstanding abilities entering the E block, which is Grade 8.
The scholarships are valid for the five-year duration of the student's time at Michaelhouse. The scholarships are awarded based on the student maintaining an acceptable level of performance. Here are the scholarships offered by the school:
Scholarship name | Maximum coverage | Eligible candidates |
Major Open Scholarship | Up to 75% of tuition and boarding | Independent school candidates |
Minor Open Scholarship | Up to 75% of tuition and boarding | Independent school candidates |
Open Exhibition Scholarship | Up to 50% of tuition and boarding | Independent school candidates |
Closed Scholarship | Up to 30% of tuition and boarding | Traditional feeder school candidates |
Major Trust Scholarship | Up to 75% of tuition and boarding | State school candidates |
Minor Trust Scholarship | Up to 75% of tuition and boarding | State school candidates |
All-Rounder Scholarships | Up to 75% of tuition and boarding | All candidates |
Music Scholarships | Up to 50% of tuition and boarding | All candidates |
Boarding school sports scholarships | Up to 50% of tuition and boarding | All candidates |
Arts Exhibitions (Drama & Creative Art) | Up to 15% of tuition and boarding | All candidates |
How many students does Michaelhouse have?
The all-boys school has about 620 students from Block E to Block A (grades 8 to 12). The students are aged between 13 and 18.
Who is the headmaster at Michaelhouse?
Antony Roy Clark is the current rector (headmaster) at Michaelhouse. The educationalist is a former first-class cricketer. Clark previously headed four schools, including Malvern College in Worcestershire, Gresham's School in Norfolk, England, St. Andrew College, and St. Joseph's Marist College in Cape Town.
Clark will retire at the end of the 2026 academic year and will be replaced by Bart Wielenga, the head of Blundell’s School in Devon, UK.
Source: Getty Images
How big is Michaelhouse?
The facility sits on a 680-hectare estate in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The buildings have a British school architectural design. The estate's lower level has classrooms and dining halls, while the upper level is home to the school's houses. The Michaelhouse Chapel was built at the heart of the school.
What is the most expensive school fee in South Africa?
Hilton College in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is the most expensive school in South Africa. Their annual tuition fees are R430,054, with an additional R512 per term for extras and a non-refundable entry fee of R105,182.
What is the most expensive private school in South Africa?
Hilton College is the most expensive private school in Mzansi, with an annual tuition fee of R430,054. It is closely followed by Michaelhouse in second place, with an annual tuition of R392,000, and St. Andrew's College in third place, with an annual tuition fee of R387,531.
Source: UGC
What is the most expensive government school in South Africa?
Pretoria Boys High School is currently the most expensive government school in South Africa, with an annual fee of R76,900. It is closely followed by King Edward VII School, with a yearly fee of R74,600, and Rondebosch Boys' High School, in third place, with a yearly fee of R65,000.
What is the most expensive girls' school in South Africa?
Roedean School for Girls in Johannesburg, Gauteng, is the most expensive girls' high school in South Africa. Their annual tuition fee is R387,093.
What is the most expensive girls' school in Cape Town?
Herschel Girls' School is the most expensive girls' school in Cape Town. Their annual fee for student boarders in grades 8 to 12 is over R293,400.
Which Christian boarding schools are in KZN?
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is home to several well-known Christian boarding schools that combine academics with spiritual growth. Some of the top schools include Michaelhouse, Hilton College, St. Charles College, and St. Anne’s Diocesan College, offering both boys’ and girls’ boarding options.
What is Michaelhouse ranked in the world?
Michaelhouse is recognised globally as one of the world’s leading private schools. It has been listed among the top 150 private schools in the world in the Carfax Education Schools Index, highlighting its academic excellence, facilities, and overall reputation.
Michaelhouse fees are some of the highest in South Africa, but it is also one of the best schools in the region. The facility is established on Christian values and ensures holistic growth. Their students are taught to excel in all aspects of life, not just academics.
Briefly.co.za highlighted financial assistance options for students pursuing higher education in South Africa. Due to the rising number of students qualifying for university, government funding through NSFAS is not enough for all.
Other funding options available to students include ISFAP, university financial aid, external bursaries, scholarships, student loans, and crowdfunding. Find out how each option works.
Source: Briefly News
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