Applications Open and How to Apply for 2026/SA

Applications Open and How to Apply for 2026/SA

As the 2026 application year begins, ambitious students from across South Africa and beyond are looking for recognized universities to enroll in but are confused about how. If you are such a person, then this article, “When and How to Apply to South African Universities for the 2026 Academic Year,” is for you. In this essay, we want to be as specific and explicit as possible about the university admission process, date, fees, and steps.

 

We will provide a list of all South African universities, along with their application dates. You must meet the requirements, which include a minimum grade point average for the program you want to pursue, and submit your application on time to be considered for admission.

Are applications for 2026 open yet?

For the academic year 2026, applications will formally start on April 1, 2025. Ordinary applications must be submitted by October 31, 2025, at noon. Nonetheless, a few universities, such as TUT and WITS, will open in March 2025.

So, when should you apply for 2026?

Here’s a list of the 26 public universities in South Africa and their 2026 application periods:

• University of Cape Town (UCT)

Application period: opens on April 3, 2025, and closes on August 4, 2025.

Application fee: R100

• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Application period: Opens on April 1, 2025 and closes on September 30, 2025

(Semester 2 (August) 2025) (30 April 2025)

Application Fee: On-time applications: R210

• University of Fort Hare (UFH)

Application period: opens on April 1, 2025, and closes on September 30, 2025.

Application Fee: The application fee of R100

• Rhodes University

Application period: opens on April 1, 2025, and closes on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Application Fee: R100

• University of Stellenbosch (Stellenbosch University)

Application period: Applications for the 2026 intake will open on April 1, 2025, and close on January 26, 2026.

Application Fee: R100 is required upon application

• University of the Free State (UFS)

Application period: 2026 Applications will open on 1 April 2025 and close on 30 September 2025

Application Fee: There is no application fee

• University of Limpopo (UL)

Application period: The application opens on May 1, 2025, and closes on September 29, 2025.

Application Fee: R200.00 (South African students) and R750.00 (for international students).

• University of Johannesburg (UJ)

Application period: The application opens on 01 April 2025 and closes on 31 October 2025.

Application Fee: R200.00

• University of Zululand (Unizulu)

Application period: Application opens on Thursday, 01 April 2025 and closes on Friday, 31 October 2025.

Application Fee: R220 (South African) and R275 (international students)

• Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

Application period: Generally, applications at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) will open on April 1, 2025, and close on October 31, 2025.

Application Fee: No Application fee payment required

• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Application period: Application opens on Saturday, 01 March 2025 and closes on Thursday, 30 September 2025.

Application fee: R240 non-refundable

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Application period: The application period begins on May 13, 2025 and ends on September 30, 2025, a Thursday.

Application fee: R100 (Manual Applications)

• Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

Application period for the 2025-2026 academic year: 1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025.

Application Fee: An application fee of R500. 00 (Non-refundable)

• University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Application period: Opens on June 01 2025 and closes on 30 January 2026.

Application fee: RSA/SADC Applicants R150, other African Countries R350 and countries outside Africa R500

• Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

Application period: Admissions applications for the 2026 academic year will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025.

Application fee: R100, non-refundable and non-transferable

• University of Venda (Univen)

Application period: Opens on 01 April 2025 and closes on 31 October 2025.

Application Fee: R100 application fee

• University of South Africa (UNISA)

Application period: On Monday, September 11, 2025, applications for admission to the academic year 2026 will be accepted; they must be submitted by November 30, 2025.

• North-West University (NWU)

Application period: Applications for 2026 are now open from April 01 to 30 September 2025.

Application Fee: Applications are FREE

• University of the Free State (UFS)

Application period: 2026 Applications will open on 1 April 2025 and close on 30 September 2025

Application  Fee: It costs nothing to apply to study at the UFS.

• University of Pretoria (UP)

Application period: Applications for 2026 open on 1 April 2025. The closing date for all selection programmes is 30 June 2025

Application Fee: Application fee of R300 (30 US Dollars) for 2025

• University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Application period: Applications for 2025 open on 1 April 2025 and close on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.

Application Fee: There is no need for an application fee.

• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Application period: All program applications for the 2026 academic year are available starting on April 2, 2025, and must be submitted by Monday, September 30, 2025.

Application Fee: Application fee: R300; non-refundable

Universities Application Step 2026

Applying to South African universities involves several steps, and the process may vary slightly depending on the institution and the level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, etc.). Here is a general guide on how to apply to South African universities:

Research Universities and Programs:

• Identify the universities and programs that match your academic and career goals.
• Get the current prospectus and read the admission requirements

Choose a Qualification:

• Choose your level of studies (certificates, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate studies)

Meet Admission Requirements:

• Ensure that you meet the minimum admission requirements for the chosen program.
• Requirements may include academic qualifications, language proficiency (English or Afrikaans), and specific subject prerequisites.

Complete the Application Form:

• Obtain the application form from the university’s official website or the relevant admissions office.
• Fill out the application form accurately and completely.

Submit all Required supporting Documents:

Gather all required supporting documents, which may include:

• A fully Completed Application Form
• Matriculation Certificate or equivalent
• A certified copy of your South African identity document.
• Proof of Application Fee Payment
• An email address and a contact phone number
• English Language Proficiency
• A certified copy of your passport.
• Study Visa

Required Application Fee:

Pay the application fee if the university requires it. All application fees are not returnable under any event.

Submit a fully completed Application Form:

• You are required to submit your application online or offline, depending on the university
• All application documents must reach your university by the closing date

Track and Check Application Status:

• Monitor the status of your application through the university’s online portal or by contacting the admissions office.

Complete Acceptance Form:

• Once you have met the requirements, you will receive a link to an acceptance form. Visit the link to fill out the acceptance form.
• After paying the registration fee, complete the form by the deadline to register for your classes.

Read Also:

• When to Apply for University 2025 in South Africa