Which University Is Open For 2026 Application In South Africa

Which University Is Open For 2026 Application In South Africa

South Africa is one of the countries in Africa with a large number of good and high-ranking universities and colleges. According to the most recent rankings, South Africa has more than seven universities among the top ten in Africa. As a result, many applications from all over the world are received yearly to study at these universities. In this post, we have provided a comprehensive list of all the universities in South Africa that accept both South African citizens and non-South African citizens for admission. All South African universities are currently accepting applications for admission to their respective undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the academic year 2026.

Key 2026 Application Dates for South African Universities

Application dates for South African universities typically vary depending on the institution and the program. Below is a summary of when applications for 2026 open and close for major universities in South Africa.

University	Applications Open	Applications Close
University of Cape Town	1 April 2025	31 July 2025
University of the Free State	1 April 2025	Varies by program
University of Johannesburg	1 June 2025	28 September 2025
University of KwaZulu-Natal	Now Open	30 September 2025
University of Limpopo	Now Open	31 October 2025
University of Mpumalanga	1 April 2025	30 September & 31 Oct 2025
North-West University	Now Open	30 September 2025
Nelson Mandela University	1 April 2025	30 September 2025
Rhodes University	April 1, 2025	30 September 2025
Stellenbosch University	Now Open	30 June & 15 December 2025
University of Pretoria	02 April 2025	31 May, 30 June & 30 Sept 2025
University of the Western Cape	02 April 2025	30 September 2025
University of Witwatersrand	01 March 2025	30 June & 30 September 2025
Walter Sisulu University	April 01, 2025	30 September & 31 October 2025
University of Venda	Now Open	29 September 2025
Cape Peninsula University of Technology	13 May 2025	29 September 2025
Central University of Technology	13 May 2025	31 October 2025
Durban Institute of Technology	Now Open	31 October 2025
Tshwane University of Technology	1 April 2025	30 November 2025
Vaal University of Technology	1 April 2025	30 September 2025

Prospectus of Universities in South Africa For 2026

The prospectus is an essential document for South African institutions, including information on courses, fees, application procedures, and minimum entry criteria. To apply to a university, students must first get a prospectus from their selected university, which can be downloaded via their official website using a device capable of reading PDF files. Prospectuses for the 2026 calendar year are currently accessible on their individual websites.

Admission Requirements for South African Universities 2026

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 any of the universities in South Africa, 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, must pass a minimum of 4 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. 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 the National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated an admission score equal to that percentage.

Please Note:

You must have your academic credentials, proof of application fee if applicable, ID/passport number, and other supporting documents ready at the time of application, depending on the university you are applying to.

How to apply online to a university in South Africa

To apply online for a course,

• Look for the application portal on the universities’ 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.

HARD COPY FORM

If available, you can also download and print the application form and fill it out with a black pen. In this case, you must attach a hard copy of the required or supporting documents and mail it to the university. You can also submit or hand deliver to the selected university’s campus.

University Application Status for 2026

To check the application status of a university in South Africa,

•  Return to the application page, which is the same page where you submitted your university’s online application form, and enter your login information. This includes your student ID as well as the 5-digit PIN you received when you initially submitted the application form. To view your admission status, click the submit or check button.