By now, most South African universities are open for the 2026 academic year. If you are planning to study at a South African public university, it is vital to know the application dates and admission requirements to ensure your application process runs smoothly and on time.
This guide provides you with everything you need to know: from opening and closing dates, admission requirements, selecting a university, and how to apply for funding.
2026 University Application Dates
The following table outlines the opening and closing dates for university applications in South Africa for the 2026 academic year. Please note these dates may be subject to change, so always verify on the respective university’s official website.
University of Cape Town (UCT)
-
Website: www.uct.ac.za
-
Opening: 2 April 2025
-
Closing: 31 July 2025
-
Application Fee: R100 (SADC) / R300 (non-SADC)
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
-
Website: www.uwc.ac.za
-
Opening: 2 April 2025
-
Closing: 30 August 2025 (Dentistry), 30 September 2025 (Other)
-
Application Fee: FREE
Stellenbosch University (SU)
-
Website: www.sun.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 April 2025
-
Closing: 31 July 2025
-
Application Fee: R100
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
-
Website: www.uj.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 April 2025
-
Closing: 1 October 2025
-
Application Fee: FREE (online) / R200 (manual)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
-
Website: https://www.cput.ac.za/
-
Opening: 13 May 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025
-
Application Fee: FREE (online) / R200 (manual)
University of Pretoria (UP)
-
Website: www.up.ac.za
-
Opening: 2 April 2025
-
Closing: 31 May 2025 (Vet Science), 30 June 2025 (Other faculties)
-
Application Fee: R300
University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
-
Website: www.wits.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 March 2025
-
Closing: 30 June 2025 (Specific programmes), 30 September 2025 (Other)
-
Application Fee: R100 (SA citizens) / R700 (foreign citizens)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
-
Website: www.ukzn.ac.za
-
Opening: To Be Confirmed
-
Closing: 30 June 2025 (Medicine), 30 September 2025 (Other programmes)
-
Application Fee: R210 (On-time SA) / R420 (Late SA) / R490 (International)
Rhodes University (RU)
-
Website: www.ru.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 May 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025
-
Application Fee: R100
University of South Africa (UNISA)
-
Website: www.unisa.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 September 2025
-
Closing: 1 January 2026
-
Application Fee: R135
North-West University (NWU)
-
Website: www.nwu.ac.za
-
Opening: 2 April 2025
-
Closing: 28 June 2025 / 30 August 2025
-
Application Fee: FREE
University of the Free State (UFS)
-
Website: www.ufs.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 April 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025
-
Application Fee: FREE
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
-
Website: www.mandela.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 April 2025
-
Closing: Varies by programme
-
Application Fee: FREE (SA citizens) / R500 (International)
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
-
Website: www.dut.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 April 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025
-
Application Fee: R250 (SA) / R300 (International)
University of Limpopo (UL)
-
Website: www.ul.ac.za
-
Opening: To Be Confirmed
-
Closing: To Be Confirmed
-
Application Fee: R200 (SA) / R750 (International)
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
-
Website: www.wsu.ac.za
-
Opening: 2 April 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025 (Health), 31 October 2025 (Other)
-
Application Fee: FREE
University of Fort Hare (UFH)
-
Website: www.ufh.ac.za
-
Opening: 1 March 2025
-
Closing: 30 September 2025
-
Application Fee: FREE (online) / R120 (manual SA) / R500 (manual International)
Please ensure to check each university's official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding application dates and fees.
Admission Requirements: Start with the APS
Before applying to any university, confirm the minimum admission requirements for your chosen institution and course. This includes calculating your Admission Point Score (APS):
-
Visit the university’s website to review their latest prospectus.
-
Check your entry scores against the course requirements.
-
If your scores align, proceed to choose a suitable course.
Tip: If your APS falls short, consider upgrading your results before applying.
Find Courses You Qualify for at South African Universities
Choosing the right university course can be overwhelming, especially when trying to match your Matric or Grade 11 results with specific admission requirements. Fortunately, Course Match simplifies this process with its AI-powered platform, helping students find the best study options based on their academic performance.
How Course Match Works
Course Match uses advanced AI technology to analyze your Matric or Grade 11 results and compare them with the latest university admission criteria. In just a few simple steps, you can receive a personalized list of courses you qualify for at South African universities.
