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 and profile
- How many students does Michaelhouse have?
- Who is the headmaster at Michaelhouse?
- How big is Michaelhouse?
- Which is the most expensive school 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 girl school in South Africa?
- What is the most expensive girls' school in Cape Town?
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;
- 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 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.
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:
Quarter | 2024 dates | 2025 dates |
Lent quarter | 16th January to 21st MarchHalf-term break from 15th February to 19th FebruaryNew boys arrive on 14th January | 14th January to 28th MarchHalf-term break from 20th February to 24th FebruaryNew Boys arrive on 12th January |
Pentecostal quarter | 15th April to 21st JuneHalf-term break from 16th May to 20th May | 22nd April to 27th JuneHalf-term break from 22nd May to 26th May |
Michaelmas quarter | 15th July to 20th SeptemberHalf-term break from 15th August to 19th August | 21st July to 26th SeptemberHalf-term break from 21st August to 25th August |
Christmas quarter | 1st October to 29th NovemberNo half-term break | 13th October to 28th NovemberNo half-term break |
Other important dates in 2025 include:
Event | Date |
New Boys' Day | 12th January 2025 |
Inter-House Swimming Gala | 17th January 2025 |
Prize Giving Ceremony | 19th February 2025 |
Dusi Canoe Marathon | N/A |
Confirmation service | 7th March 2025 |
Opening of Dloti Quad and Makan Media Centre | N/A |
Michaelhouse Easter Sports Festival | N/A |
Grandparents Day | 27th April 2025 |
Michaelhouse/Hilton Sports Day (Home) | 3rd May 2025 |
Old Boys' Gaudy Dinners | N/A |
Old Boys Weekend and Home vs Maritzburg College | 6/7th June 2025 |
Hilton/Michaelhouse Sports Day (Hilton) | 21st June 2025 |
Matric Ball | TBC |
C Block Journey | 13th to 25th September 2025 |
D Block Pondoland Hike | 20th to 25th September 2025 |
E Block Camp and iNhlosane | 22nd to 25th September 2025 |
Speech Day | 17th October 2025 |
Remembrance Sunday | 9th 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.
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:
- 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 is a dark blue blazer and black pants with a white shirt and red striped tie.

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.
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)
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.

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.
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.

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.
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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