South African Universities Accepting 2027 Applications – Full List

Applications for the January 2027 academic intake are now open at several universities across South Africa for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Students with National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, as well as applicants who hold relevant undergraduate or master’s qualifications, are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

It is important to be aware of your chosen university’s application closing date to avoid missing out. In this article, we present a detailed list of universities currently accepting 2027 applications, including their official opening and closing dates for the 2027 academic year.

When to Start Preparing for 2027 Applications

Knowing when to begin your preparations largely depends on when your chosen university opens its application portal. For most universities in South Africa, applications typically open on April 1 in the year preceding the academic intake. However, universities in KwaZulu-Natal generally open earlier, often around March 1 of the preceding year.

To avoid last-minute stress, it is advisable to prepare all required documents and information well before the application season begins. Since the application period is either approaching or already open, getting everything ready now will help you submit your application on time and increase your chances of success.

General Application Deadline

In general, September 30, 2026, is expected to be the closing date for most universities in South Africa for the 2027 academic intake. To improve your chances of securing a place in your preferred programme, it is strongly recommended that you apply early, ideally between April and September 30, 2026.

Late applications are usually considered only if there are programmes with available spaces. In most cases, these tend to be less competitive courses, so applying within the main application window gives you a much better opportunity to be admitted into your desired field of study.

Universities Accepting 2027 Applications And Application Period

Below are the confirmed 2027 application opening and closing dates for selected South African universities:

University of the Western Cape:

11 May (Dentistry), 30 September (other programs)

Mpumalanga University:

June 1, 2026 – 30 January 2027

Stellenbosch University:

1 April to 30 September 2026

University of Cape Town:

2 April – 31 July, 2026

University of Pretoria:

Veterinary: 1 April – 31 May 2026
Other programs: April 1 – 30 June, 2026

University of the Witwatersrand:

March 1–July 31 (Teaching & Nursing)
March 1 – 30 September (Others)

University of KwaZulu-Natal:

1 April – 30 September 2026

North-West University-

2 April 2026 – 28 June 2026 (BEd & PGCE)
2 April – 30 August – All Other Courses

Nelson Mandela University-

April 1 – 30 June 2026 (MBChB, BPharm & BRad)
April 1 – 30 September 2026 (All other Courses)

Sol Plaatje University –

April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026

Tshwane University of Technology—

April 1 – 30 September 2026 (All Courses)

University of the Free State:

April 1-30 September, 2026

Vaal University of Technology:

South African applicants: April 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026.
International applicants: January 26, 2027.

University of Venda-

01 April 2026 to 30 September 2026

University of Fort Hare-

June 1st to November 30th, 2026

University of Johannesburg-

April 1 – October 31, 2026

Rhodes University–

April 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026 at 12 noon

Sefako Makgatho University–

April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026

University of South Africa (Unisa)

September 1 to 22 November 2026

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

May 13 – September 30, 2026

University of Zululand

University of Limpopo

September 28th, 2026 (MBBS)
October 30th, 2026 (All undergraduate programs

Durban University of Technology

April 01 to 30 November 2026

Mangosuthu University of Technology

Engineering applications are due by September 30th.
Second-semester applications by May 31st.
Natural Sciences applications by September 30th.
Analytical Chemistry applications by May 31st.
Management Sciences applications by September 30th.

Central University of Technology

May 13 to 30 September 2026

NSFAS Bursaries and Student Loans

All public universities and universities of technology qualify for NSFAS funding, offering full bursaries for students with annual incomes below R350,000 and student loans for those with incomes above R350,000 but below R600,000 per annum.

NSFAS applications are only available late in the year, so it’s crucial to apply for your desired university or college course before they open, as waiting until approved may be too late.

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