Are Online Applications Still Open At UCT For 2026

University of Cape Town Online Application 2026

Are Online Applications Still Open At UCT For 2026

You can still apply to the University of Cape Town for the 2026 intake because the online application portal and form for UCT are still open and active for prospective applicants. If you have not yet submitted your application for 2024, please do so as soon as possible to avoid late applications for the 2026 intake. Because UCT does not accept late applications, applying now increases your chances of receiving an admission offer to study your preferred course in 2026.

You can apply for undergraduate certificates, diplomas, higher national diplomas, and bachelor degrees for the academic year 2026 if you have a good grade 12 result or higher qualification. Prospective applicants for postgraduate master’s and doctorate programs must have a strong bachelor’s and master’s degree, respectively.

UCT Online Application Dates For 2026

Prospective UCT students, take note! Applications for undergraduate studies starting in 2026 are open from April 1, 2025, with a deadline of July 31, 2025. Most postgraduate coursework programs close on October 31, 2025, while research master’s and PhD applications can be submitted year-round.

N.B.:
Many of the documents you need to submit vary according to the department and faculty. Academic records must be submitted as certified paper copies. UCT transcripts are not required

How To Apply For Postgraduate Study At UCT (MASTERS and PhD)

Apply for Masters and PhD degrees at the University of Cape Town by following the steps outlined below.

Visit the department or faculty website or email the relevant postgraduate office or administrator within your department. Before you start, check that you have the required qualifications.
Compile and submit an application form by visiting applyonline.uct.ac.za
You should receive confirmation of your submission immediately. Within three working days, you will receive a formal acknowledgement of your application, containing your applicant number and login credentials to UCT’s online student self-service called PeopleSoft. Login to PeopleSoft to monitor the status of the application
Consideration of your application may take up to a couple of months or more. You may be asked to submit further information and/or documentation. Communication about your application will reach you by email at the UCT email address assigned to you at the time of the first application
Generally, registration takes place at the start of the academic year; for certain research-only postgraduate degrees, you may register later. The process and dates for your programme registration will be sent at the time of acceptance or admission but do check for updates on faculty or programme websites

Read Also: UCT Online Application 2026

How to Apply for Undergraduate Qualification Study at UCT ( CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA, AND BACHELOR DEGREES)

The online application process of UCT s simplified below

Look for the application portal on UCT’s official website.
Select and click on the APPLICATIONS tab, then ONLINE APPLICATIONS.
Choose the qualifications you want to apply for and click on them.
Fill out the necessary fields on the application form.
Fill out all required fields marked with a *.
Pay the applicable application fee and upload proof if paying offline or in cash.
Upload any additional documents that are required.
Examine the application form and submit it.

International Applicants

The International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) supports international students and facilitates your integration into the UCT environment, including helping with queries relating to applications, visas and international tuition fees

UCT undergraduate & Postgraduate qualifications

The University of Cape Town (UCT) provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs through its six faculties:

Commerce
Engineering and the Built Environment
Health Sciences
Humanities
Law
Science

Minimum academic requirements for undergraduate certificates, diplomas, and degrees

All applicants must have attained a certain level of proficiency in English and are required to submit evidence of this
To study an Undergraduate Certificate course at UCT, you need to identify the course to study under a recognised faculty and consult the management of that faculty.

Undergraduate Diploma Study Prospective applicants must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with an achievement rating of 3 (moderate achievement, 40–49%) or better in 4 recognised NSC 20-credit subjects.

Prospective applicants with South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) To qualify for an undergraduate degree qualification, you must pass a minimum of four subjects at a rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50–59%) or better in any four 20-credit NSC subjects. However, prospective South African Senior Certificate applicants need matriculation endorsement to study for a degree qualification at the University of Cape Town. Again, Applicants holding non-South African school-leaving certificates must qualify for a matriculation exemption certificate

The Points Score (APS) will also be used when selecting qualified students for the various courses. The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an admission score equal to that percentage.