Apply Now for South African Universities 2026 Intake

Applications for South African Universities 2026 Intake Are Now Open!. University Online Applications 2026, Online University Application Forms in South Africa 2026-

Are you interested in obtaining a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate? Then be ready because practically every South African university has officially opened applications for the 2026 academic year to anyone interested. As the application window for 2026 opens, collect all necessary supporting documentation as soon as you can.

Although some have earlier opening dates, most South African universities open applications on April 1 of the year preceding the anticipated year of study. Due to the fierce competition for the courses and the large volume of applications received each year for a limited number of courses, it is critical that you apply as soon as possible and, most importantly, meet the minimum requirements of the course you want to apply for.

Universities Now Open For 2026 Applications and Registration

We have put together a comprehensive list of South African universities that are now accepting applications for the 2026 academic year. We have given you the application date, fees, admission requirements, application link, and necessary documents. Check below.

University of Cape Town (UCT)

Application Opening Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Application Closing Dates: Vary by program (Friday, 4, August 2025)
Application Required Documents: Matric Certificate and ID Card
Application Fee: R100 (South African citizens), R300 (international applicants)
Average Point Score: Minimum APS score based on chosen program
Qualification Required: National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualifications
Application Method: All applications must be submitted online

University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

Application Opening Date: March 1, 2025
Application Closing Date: 30 June 2025 (Health Sciences and Architecture), 30 September 2024 (all other programs)
Required Documents: Matric Certificate, Academic Transcripts, and ID Documents
Application Fee: R100 (South African citizens), R700 (international applicants)
Average Point Score: The minimum APS score is based on the chosen program
Entry Requirements: NSC, with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.wits.ac.za/applications/

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN):

Application Dates: Open now (April 1, 2025)
General Closing Dates: October 31, 2025
Required Documents: Matric Certificate, Academic Transcripts, ID documents and Contact details
Application Fee: R90 (South African citizens), R700 (international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: NSC with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
Method of Application: Application via CAO

University of Pretoria (UP):

Application Opening Date: April 1, 2025 (Tuesday)
Application Closing Dates: (Faculty of Veterinary Science: May 31, 2025; ALL other Programs: 30 June 2025)
Required Documents: Matric Certificate and ID Card
Application Fee: R300 (South African citizens), USD30 (international applicants)
Average Point Score: Minimum APS score of 16.
Entry Requirements: At least a National Senior Certificate
How to apply: All applications are done online

Stellenbosch University:

Application Opening Dates: April 1, 2025
Application Closing Dates: 31 July, 2025
Required Documents: Matric certificate, academic transcripts, Proof of payment, Proof of permanent Residence, refugee, or Asylum Seeking Status, and Signed Student Contract
Application Fee: R100 (South African citizens), Free (international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: NSC, with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/apply

University of Limpopo (UL)

Opening Application Dates: April 1, 2025
Closing Dates: Vary by program (31 October 2025)
Required Documents: Matric certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian or parent’s ID, Student Visa, Proof of English proficiency
Application Fee: R200 (South African citizens), R750 (international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: NSC with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to Apply: Online application system: www.ul.ac.za

University of Venda (UNIVEN)

Application Dates: April 1, 2025
Closing Dates: All available programmes (30 September 2025)
Required Documents: Matric certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa, credit/debit card with a CV number, study Permit, permit/medical insurance/SAQA evaluation certificate
Application Fee: R100 (South African citizens and international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: NSC with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to Apply: Online application system at www.univen.ac.za/apply-now

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Application Opening Dates: June 1, 2025
General Closing Dates: November 30, 2025
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa, study permit/residence permit, medical insurance/SAQA evaluation certificate
Application Fee: R150 (South African citizens), R500 (international applicants)
APS Required: Minimum APS score based on the chosen program.
Required Courses Pass: Students must Pass at least 6 subjects
Application Method: UMP accepts online application

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Application Opening Date: May 13, 2025
General Application Closing Date: September 30, 2025 (undergraduate)
Required Documents: Matric Certificate, Academic Transcripts, School-Leaving Certificate, and Certificate of Conduct.
Application Fee: R100 (South African and non-South African citizens), R150 (late application)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: NSC with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to Apply: Online application system: https://applications.cput.ac.za/

Sefako Makgatho University (SMU)

Opening Application Dates: 2 April 2025
Closing Dates: Undergraduate closes on 29 July 2025, while Postgraduate closes on 30 September 2025
Required Documents: “Old Senior” certificate, National Senior Certificate (NSC), National Certificate Vocational (NCV), N6 certificate, Grade 11 final results, matric or equivalent certificate, academic record, copy of ID, or passport.
Application Fee Required: R300
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score of 38 and English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
Method of applying: Online applications only

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Application opening date: March 1, 2025
Closing Dates: All Programs (30 September 2025)
Required Documents: Matric Certificate, Academic Transcripts, Motivational Letter, and References.
Application Fee: R240 (South African and international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Apply online (www.tut.ac.za). Hard copy is allowed

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Application Dates: April 1, 2025
General Closing Dates: 30 September 2025
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa and Certified Good Conduct Certificate
Application Fee: No Application fee is required
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC), with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.uwc.ac.za/admission-and-financial-aid/apply

Sol Plaatje University (SPU)

Application Dates: April 1, 2025
Closing Dates: All programs ( 30 November 2025)
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa and Certified Good Conduct Certificate
Application Fee: No Application fee (South African and international applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC), with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.spu.ac.za/index.php/how-to-apply/

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

Application Dates: April 2, 2025
General Application Closing Dates: August 31, 2025
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa and Certified Good Conduct Certificate
Application Fee: No fee required (South African citizens); R500 (international applicants)
Admission Requirements: minimum APS score based on chosen program; English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC), with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.mandela.ac.za/Study-at-Mandela/Application/Apply

Rhodes University (RU)

Opening date: 1 April, 2025
Closing Dates: 30 November 2025 (All Programs )
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, Student Visa and Certified Good Conduct Certificate
Application Fee: R100 (for all applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.ru.ac.za/admissiongateway/application/

University of Fort Hare

Opening date: April 1, 2025
Closing Dates: All courses close on 30 November 2025
Required Documents: Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate, academic transcripts, ID, guardian/parent’s ID, SAQA clearance certificate, Student Visa, and Certified Good Conduct Certificate
Application Fee: R120 (for all applicants)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC), with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application system: https://www.ufh.ac.za/apply/index.html

Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

Application Dates: April 1, 2025
Key application Closing Date: 31 October 2025
Required Documents: “Old Senior” certificate, National Senior Certificate (NSC), National Certificate Vocational (NCV), N6 certificate, Grade 11 final results, matriculation or equivalent certificate, academic record, copy of ID, or passport.
Application Fee: Free
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to apply: Online application only: https://www.wsu.ac.za/apply/index.html

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

All Application Opening Date: April 1, 2025
Key application closing dates: 31 October 2025
Required Documents: “Old Senior” certificate, National Senior Certificate (NSC), National Certificate Vocational (NCV), N6 certificate, Grade 11 final results, matriculation or equivalent certificate, academic record, copy of ID, or passport.
Application Fee: Application Fee: R200 (Manual or Paper-based Application)
Admission Requirements: Minimum APS score based on chosen program, English language proficiency.
Entry Requirements: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specific subject requirements depending on the program.
How to Apply: Online application system: “www.uj.ac.za/Apply