University Online Applications 2025-2026
University Online Applications 2025-2026
Are you interested in studying in South Africa? Do you understand the application process for the university you have chosen? This post explains how to apply to each university. We have got you covered from deadlines and expenses to the application process and required documents. Give up the uncertainty and bravely join the world of digital admissions to secure a spot at your dream university.
When to Apply
The majority of South African universities will accept applications for the 2026 academic year, beginning April 1 and ending November 30, 2025. The application date applies to all South African citizens, foreign nationals, and permanent residents. Some university applications may close early, typically on June 30, 2025.
South African University Application Fees
The cost of university application fees in South Africa is a multifaceted topic that differs greatly amongst institutions and even program-specific information. Application fees can range from free to R700 or even higher
Universities in South Africa are now open and accepting applications for 2026.
Below are the universities open for the 2026 applications in South Africa.
University of Cape Town (UCT) Online Applications Open for 2026
The application cycle for the 2026 academic year (starting in January 2026) will be open in April.
- Opening Date: Applications are expected to open on Monday, April 1, 2025.
- Closing Date: The main application deadline will likely be around July 31, 2025. Some programs may have earlier deadlines, so always double-check with the specific program you’re interested in.
Application Fee:
- South African and SADC region applicants: R100
- Applicants from outside the SADC region: R300
- Graduate School of Business (GSB) applicants:
- South African and African citizens and residents: R2,070
- Applicants from outside of Africa: USD 300
Application Link: Applications are submitted online through the UCT Apply Online platform: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za/
University of Fort Hare (UFH) Online Applications For 2025
Applications typically open in April 2025 and close in July 2025. So, you’ll need to wait a while before you can submit your application
- Opening date: April 1, 2025
- Closing date: July 31, 2025
- Application fee: R120 for South African applicants, R500 for international applicants
- Application link: www.ufh.ac.za (direct link to the application portal will be available once applications open.)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Online Applications For 2026
Typically, applications for the following academic year open around April and close in September.
2025 Application Dates
- Opening date: The application window opens on April 1, 2025
- Closing date: The application window closes on September 30, 2025
- Medicine Closing Date: June 30, 2025
Application Fee:
- South African citizens: R210
- Students from certain other African countries: R490
- International applicants from outside Africa: $153
Application Link:
- The application link for the 2025 intake is ww1.applications.ukzn.ac.za/
University of Limpopo (UL) Online Applications Open for 2026
The University of Limpopo (UL) online applications for 2025 are anticipated to open in April 2025 and close in September 2025
2025 Application Period
- Opening date: April 1, 2025
- Closing date: September 30, 2025
Application fee:
- R200 for South African applicants
- R750 for international applicants
Application link:
- The application link will be available on the UL website when applications open at www.ul.ac.za
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Online Applications Open for 2026
The application period for the 2025 academic year at UMP is currently open.
Closing Date: The application deadline is September 30, 2025. However, it’s recommended to apply earlier, especially for popular programs, as applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Application Fee:
- South African Citizens: R200
- SADC Nationals: R300
- International Applicants: R400
Application Link:
- You can apply online through the UMP Self Help iEnabler platform: https://ienabler.ump.ac.za/pls/prodi41/w99pkg.mi_login
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Open 2026 application Window
Here’s a breakdown of the key information for NMU online applications for the 2026 academic year:
Opening Date: April 1, 2025
Closing Dates:
- August 2, 2025: Early applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad)
- September 30, 2025: Late applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad)
- June 30, 2025: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
- June 30, 2025: Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic)
Application Fee:
- Free: South African citizens and SADC nationals
- R500: International applicants
Application Link: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za/
North-West University (NWU) Open 2026 application Window
North-West University (NWU) has officially opened its online applications for the 2026 intake.
- Opening Date: April 1, 2026
- Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Application Fee: Applications are FREE
Application Link: https://studies.nwu.ac.za/studies/apply
Rhodes University (RU) Online Applications Open for 2026 academic year
Rhodes University online applications are now open for 2026.
- The application period opens on April 1, 2025, and closes on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
- Application Fee: R100″
- Application link: https://ross.ru.ac.za/
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) 2026 Application window is now open.
Stellenbosch University, a prestigious institution in South Africa, is now accepting applications for the 2025 academic year. Here’s all you need to know about the application process:
Opening Date:
- April 1, 2025, for undergraduate programs.
- April 17, 2025, for financial assistance.
Closing Date:
- July 31, 2025, for both undergraduate programs and residence applications.
- September 30, 2025, for Stellenbosch University financial assistance.
Application Fee:
- R100 for undergraduate programs. (Excluding international or University Business School (USB) students)
Application Link:
- You can access the online application portal through Stellenbosch University’s website: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/apply
University of South Africa (UNISA) Online Applications for the 2026 academic year
Opening Date for 2026 application window
- For the 2026 academic year, you can expect applications to open sometime in August or September 2025. The exact dates will be announced by UNISA closer to the time.
Unisa 2026 Application Deadlines
Here’s a breakdown of the application deadlines for different qualification levels at UNISA for the 2024 academic year:
- Undergraduate qualifications: Applications will be closed on November 17, 2025, for most qualifications.
- Honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas: Applications will close on October 14, 2025.
- Master’s and doctoral degrees: Applications close on January 31, 2026.
Application Fee:
- The application fee for online applications at UNISA is R135. You can pay the application fee once you have received a student number from UNISA.
Application Link;
- You can access the online application portal through its website at www.unisa.ac.za
University of the Free State (UFS) Online Application Open For 2026
The University of the Free State (UFS) online applications for 2026 will open on April 1, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025. The application fee for undergraduate and postgraduate programs is free.
You can apply online at the following link: https://apply.ufs.ac.za/
University of Johannesburg (UJ) Online Applications Open for 2026 intake
University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
When to Apply
- The application period opens from April 1 to October 31, 2025. Applications to study at the University of Zululand start on April 1 and end on October 31 every year.
Application Fee
- The application fee for South African citizens is R250, and for international applicants, it is R300. You can pay the application fee online or at any Absa bank branch.
Application Link:
- Once the application window opens, you can apply online through the Central Applications Office (CAO) website.
Walter Sisulu University of Technology (WSU) 2026 application window now Open
The opening date is usually in April of the year preceding the academic year. The closing date is the end of October (October 31) of the year preceding the academic year.
2025 Application Window:
- Application Opening Date: Monday, April 1, 2025
- Application Closing Date: Thursday, October 31, 2025
Application Fee:
- The application process for study at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa is free of charge.
Application Link:
- The application link for WSU online applications is https://ieweb.wsu.ac.za/pls/prodi41/gen. However, this link will not be active until the online applications open in April 2025.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Online Applications For 2026
The online applications for Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for the 2026 academic year are set to open in May 2025
2025 Application Period
- Opening Date: May 1, 2025
- Closing Date: 31 October 2025
Application fee:
- Online applications: Free
- Hardcopy applications: R100 (non-refundable)
Application Link:
Durban University of Technology (DUT) Online Applications For the 2026 academic year
Durban University of Technology (DUT) typically opens in April and closes in October of the year preceding the intake.
2026 Application Period:
- Expected Opening Date: April 1, 2025
- Anticipated Closing Date: October 31, 2025, 11:59 P.M
Application link or website:
- Once the applications open, you can apply online through the DUT Central Applications Office (CAO) website: https://www.cao.ac.za/
Application Fee
- The application fee for undergraduate programs at DUT is currently R220 for South African applicants and R270 for international applicants. However, this fee is subject to change, so be sure to check the CAO website for the latest information.
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Online Applications For 2026
The good news is that applications for studying at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) in 2026 are now open.
2026 Applications Dates:
- Opening date: The 2026 intake application process is expected to open on June 1, 2025.
- Closing date: Applications will generally close on October 31, 2025
Application fee:
- The application fee for South African citizens is R250, while international applicants pay R300. This fee covers all applications made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) for all universities in the province.
Application link:
- All applications for MUT must be submitted online through the Central Applications Office (CAO) website: https://www.cao.ac.za/
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Online Applications Open for 2026
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) typically opens in March and closes in September of the year preceding the intended study year (2026)
2025 applications window:
- Opening date: The 2026 intake application process is now open on March 1, 2025.
- Closing date: Applications to study at TUT will generally close on September 30, 2025
Application fee:
- There is an application fee of R240 for foreign students and South African citizens. There is no refund or transferability of the money.
Application Link:
- Visit the TUT online application portal: www.tut.ac.za
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Online Application Open for 2026
The Vaal University of Technology accepts applications between April and September preceding the year of the intended study. Here’s what you need to know about applying to VUT for the 2026 academic year:
- Opening Date: 1 April 2025
- Closing Date: 30 September 2025
Application Fee:
- South African Citizens: R100 (including international students)
Application Link:
University of Venda (UNIVEN) Online Application Form For 2026
- Opening Date: We anticipate the 2025 online applications to open sometime in early April 2024.
- Closing Date: 2026 application period will remain open until 31 October 2025
- Late applications will be open from January 12 to February 19, 2026.
Application fee: The application fee is usually around R100
Application Link:
- The application link is usually available on the UNIVEN website at https://www.univen.ac.za/apply/. Once the applications open, you will be able to find the link under the “Apply Online” section.
University of Pretoria (UP) Opens application to study in 2026
The University of Pretoria (UP) online applications for 2026 will not open until April 2025
Here’s the information you’ll need when applications open:
- Opening date: Monday, April 1, 2025
- Closing date: Normally, the application period closes on July 31, 2025, but if there are still courses available, it might be extended until August 31, 2025.
Application fee:
- R300 for South African citizens and permanent residents, and $30 for international applicants.
Application link: https://www.up.ac.za/online-application
University of the Western Cape (UWC) Online Application is now open for 2026
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) will not accept online applications for its 2026 intake until May 2025; applications will be accepted through October 31, 2025.
Here’s the information you’ll need when applications open:
Opening date: Monday, May 13, 2025
Closing date:
- Applications will be closed for Bachelor of Dentistry & Oral Health and School of Government postgraduate degrees on August 31, 2025
- Applications will end for BA Honours Sports Recreation and Exercise Science, BA Honours in Biokinetics, and BSC Honours Biokinetics on Wednesday, July 31, 2025
- All other courses will close on September 30, 2025
Application fee:
- There is no application fee.
Application link: https://www.uwc.ac.za/apply-now
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Application Open for 2026
Typically, SMU opens applications for the following academic year around April of the preceding year. You can expect the 2026 application window to open sometime in April 2025.
Here’s a summary of the application process for your reference:
Opening date: April 1, 2025
Closing date:
- Friday, 26 July 2025 for undergraduate programs
- Friday, 27 September 2025 for postgraduate programs
Application fee: R300 (non-refundable)
Application link: https://www.smu.ac.za/students/apply/online-application/
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Online application officially open for 2026
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) opens applications for the following academic year around April of the preceding year. You can expect the 2026 application window to open sometime in April 2025.
Here’s a summary of the application process for your reference:
- Opening date: April 1, 2025
- Closing date: 30 November 2025
- Application fee: free
- Application link: https://www.spu.ac.za/
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