When Will NWU Application Open for 2026

Knowing when to access the application portal is critical if you want to apply to North-West University (NWU) for the 2026 academic year. We are writing to tell you that North-West University (NWU) will begin accepting undergraduate and graduate applications on April 1, 2025. Because their courses are highly competitive, apply as soon as possible.

NWU Application Opening/Closing Dates

Application Opening Date: April 1, 2025
Undergraduate Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

Note: Some programs may close earlier (see specific courses below).

Programs with Early Deadlines

Due to their competitive nature, the courses listed below have deadlines of August 31, 2025. After this date, no applications will be accepted for these courses:

Engineering
Graphic Design
Urban Planning
Regional Planning

Postgraduate Programs

Application deadlines for postgraduate diplomas, certificates, master’s degrees, honours degrees, and doctoral programs vary by course. On the official website, there is a deadline for submitting applications for all the postgraduate courses.

See Also: NWU Prospectus 2026 PDF Download

Documents Needed for Application

The documents you’ll need to submit depend on the type of qualification you’re applying for. Here are the documents required for:

Undergraduate Applicants:

Grade 12 results (or Grade 11 results if still in high school)
Matric certificate (if already completed)
Exemption certificate (for non-NSC curriculum applicants, e.g., GED or Cambridge)
Copy of your ID document
Academic record (if applicable)
Passport copy (for international students)

For Postgraduate Applicants:

Copy of your ID
Academic record (if applicable)

Is There an Application Fee?

There is no application fee for either undergraduate or postgraduate courses at North-West University (NWU). This applies to both South African students and international candidates.

Minimum Entry Requirements for NWU

The minimum entry requirement for undergraduate applicants is typically a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university exemption. Admission is competitive, with selection based on the best academic results of all applicants.

How to Apply Online at NWU

Follow these steps to submit your application to study at North-West University for the 2026 academic year:

Visit the NWU online application portal.
Click “Create a new student number” to start your application.
Complete the required field to create your profile.
Use your student number and PIN to log in and select your preferred courses
Upload all the necessary supporting documents
Submit your application by clicking the “Submit Application” button.
Track the status of your application after submission.

Contact Information

If you have questions or need assistance with your application, you can reach out to NWU’s various campuses:

Central Applications Office: 018 285 4320
Mahikeng Campus: 018 389 2252 | 018 389 2272
Potchefstroom Campus: 018 285 2692 | 018 285 2715
Vanderbijlpark Campus: 016 910 3114 | 016 910 3154

For more information, visit the official NWU website.

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