Michaelhouse fees in South Africa: All about the prestigious private school

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.

Michaelhouse school in South Africa
Michaelhouse is a private senior boarding school in South Africa. Photo: @Juan Mabromata (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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 and a Non-refundable acceptance fee: R75,000.

Michaelhouse fees and profile

Michaelhouse is a private senior boarding school in Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. It was established in 1896 by Anglican Priest Cannon 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;

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  • Languages
  • Arts & Culture
  • Human & Social Studies and Languages
  • Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences
  • Business, Commerce and Management Studies
  • Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
Michaelhouse School for boys
Michaelhouse's architectural design resembles British schools. Photo: Juan Mabromata
Source: Getty Images

How much are Michaelhouse fees in 2025?

Michaelhouse is the second-most expensive school in South Africa after their friendly rivals and neighbours, Hilton College. The fee structure for Michaelhouse boarding school is as follows:

  • Non-refundable registration fee: R950
  • Annual board and tuition E to A Block: R392,000
  • Voluntary development levy: R6,470
  • Debtors' admin fee: R5,534 (For SA residents not paying by debit order/non-South African residents who do not pay fees in advance)
  • Non-refundable acceptance fee: R75,000 for South African residents/R196,000 for non-South African residents
  • Non-South African refundable deposit: R73,000
  • Discount for annual fees paid in advance: R16 000
  • Other charges to purchase stationery, textbooks, uniforms, and personal items.

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Michaelhouse fees and levies are invoiced in ten equal instalments starting December to September the following year, and debit orders are a prerequisite.

Michaelhouse calendar

As you prepare Michaelhouse fees, it is important to be familiar with the school terms dates. The prestigious school operates on a four-term calendar. The 2024/25 term and dates are as follows:

Quarter2024 dates2025 dates
Lent quarter16th January to 21st MarchHalf-term break from 15th February to 19th FebruaryNew boys arrive on 14th January14th January to 28th MarchHalf-term break from 20th February to 24th FebruaryNew Boys arrive on 12th January
Pentecostal quarter15th April to 21st JuneHalf-term break from 16th May to 20th May22nd April to 27th JuneHalf-term break from 22nd May to 26th May
Michaelmas quarter15th July to 20th SeptemberHalf-term break from 15th August to 19th August21st July to 26th SeptemberHalf-term break from 21st August to 25th August
Christmas quarter1st October to 29th NovemberNo half-term break 13th October to 28th NovemberNo half-term break

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Other important dates in 2025 include:

EventDate
New Boys' Day12th January 2025
Inter-House Swimming Gala17th January 2025
Prize Giving Ceremony19th February 2025
Dusi Canoe MarathonN/A
Confirmation service7th March 2025
Opening of Dloti Quad and Makan Media CentreN/A
Michaelhouse Easter Sports FestivalN/A
Grandparents Day27th April 2025
Michaelhouse/Hilton Sports Day (Home)3rd May 2025
Old Boys' Gaudy DinnersN/A
Old Boys Weekend and Home vs Maritzburg College6/7th June 2025
Hilton/Michaelhouse Sports Day (Hilton)21st June 2025
Matric BallTBC
C Block Journey13th to 25th September 2025
D Block Pondoland Hike20th to 25th September 2025
E Block Camp and iNhlosane22nd to 25th September 2025
Speech Day17th October 2025
Remembrance Sunday9th November 2025
Carol Service (Parents & community)27th November 2025

Michaelhouse reserves the right to make changes to the above dates. Kindly keep checking their website for any updates.

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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 has 14 sports options.

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:

  1. Two Astroturf hockey facilities
  2. Seven turf cricket pitches
  3. A dedicated cricket oval
  4. Athletics track
  5. Eight tennis courts
  6. A six-court squash complex with three glass-backed courts
  7. Indoor and outdoor basketball courts
  8. A 25m x 25m heated swimming pool
  9. A 30m x 25m water polo pool
  10. A state-of-the-art gymnasium
  11. A golf driving range
  12. A dam for canoeing enthusiasts
Michaelhouse sports
Michaelhouse has several sporting activities that students can take part in. Photo: @michaelhouse.org on Facebook (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Michaelhouse contacts

If you need to contact Michaelhouse's management, use the following telephone numbers:

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  • 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 is a dark blue blazer and black pants with a white shirt and red striped tie.

Michaelhouse students in their official school uniform
Michaelhouse boys taking an official school picture in black uniform. Photo: @Michaelhouse
Source: Facebook

Michaelhouse school location

The boys boarding senior school is located in the Balgowan valley within the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands of South Africa. It is 125 km northwest of Durban and 500 km southwest of Johannesburg.

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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:

  • Major Open Scholarship: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (Independent school candidate)
  • Minor Open Scholarship: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (Independent school candidate)
  • 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 candidate)
  • Minor Trust Scholarship: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (State school candidate)
  • All-Rounder Scholarships: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (All candidates)
  • Music Scholarships: Up to 50% of tuition and boarding (All candidates)
  • 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)

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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 2025 academic year and will be replaced by Bart Wielenga, the head of Blundell’s School in Devon in UK.

International schools in South Africa
Michaelhouse was founded in 1896 in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Photo: Juan Mabromata
Source: Getty Images

How big is Michaelhouse?

The facility sits on a 680-hectares estate in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The buildings have the architectural design of British schools. 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.

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Which is the most expensive school 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.

Most expensive schools in South Africa
Hilton College in KZN Midlands is the most expensive school in South Africa. Photo: @Hilton College on Facebook (modified by author)
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 R74,600 and Rondebosch Boys' High School in third place with a yearly fee of R65,000.

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What is the most expensive girl 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 grades 8 to 12 student boarders is over R293,400.

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 of the options works.

Source: Briefly News

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Alice Wabwile (Lifestyle writer) Alice Wabwile is a multifaceted content creator and Project Assistant at AfDAN, boasting over four years of experience. Holding a BCom degree from the University of Nairobi School of Business, she has cultivated a dynamic skill set through roles such as her tenure at Strathmore University's Data Science Department, where she contributed significantly to research. Recognized for her exceptional talent, she clinched the Writer of the Year Award. Beyond her professional endeavours, Alice is an engaged member of the Rotaract Club of Kabete. For inquiries, reach out to her at alicenjoro01@gmail.com

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