Universities that are Open for Application 2027-2028 Academic year: How to Complete & Submit Online Application Form for Admission 2027

Universities in South Africa Open for Application 2027: Application Open Dates, Requirements & How to Apply

South Africa is home to some of Africa’s most prestigious higher education institutions. Every year, thousands of students from across the continent and the world apply to study at South African universities for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. If you’re planning to apply for admission in 2027, it’s critical to understand when applications open, when they close, what the requirements are, and how to apply.

Here is up-to-date information on opening and closing dates for 2027 applications, the general admission requirements, and step-by-step how to apply to the major universities in South Africa — all based on official timelines and reporting from universities and admissions sources.

2027 South Africa Universities Application Calendar: When Applications Open & Close

Most public universities in South Africa begin accepting applications for the 2027 academic year in March or April 2026. While not every institution uses the same dates, the general cycle is:

Applications Open: 1 March – 2 April 2026
This is when the majority of campuses open their online application portals.
Early Closing Dates: Some competitive programmes (e.g., Medicine, Architecture) may close earlier in June or July 2026.
General Closing Window: Most universities accept applications until 30 September or 31 October 2026.

Below is a breakdown of application windows for many of South Africa’s public universities:

South African Universities Application Open and Closing Dates

University	Applications Open	Applications Close	Notes
University of Cape Town (UCT)	1–2 April 2026	31 July/Sept 2026	Programmes vary
University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)	1–15 March 2026	30 June/30 Sept 2026	Depending on the programme
Stellenbosch University	1 April 2026	31 July 2026
University of the Western Cape (UWC)	2 April 2026	30 Sept 2026	Dentistry closes earlier
University of Johannesburg (UJ)	1 April 2026	31 Oct 2026
University of Pretoria (UP)	1–2 April 2026	30 June 2026 (most)	Some programmes earlier
North-West University	1 April 2026	30 Sept 2026
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)	13 May 2026	30 Sept 2026
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)	1 April 2026	30 Sept 2026
Walter Sisulu University	2 April 2026	31 Oct 2026
University of Limpopo	1 April 2026	31 Oct 2026
University of South Africa (UNISA)	1 Sept 2026	1 Jan 2027	Unique timeline

FYI: Always check the official university admissions page for the exact closing date for your chosen programme — dates can vary by faculty or qualification level.

Admission Requirements: What You Need to Apply

While each university sets its own requirements, most South African universities share a common set of minimum standards. Below are the general requirements you’ll need to satisfy before applying.

General Requirements

National Senior Certificate (NSC)
Applicants must generally have completed the South African National Senior Certificate (Matric) or a recognised foreign equivalent.

Minimum Admission Point Score (APS)

South African universities calculate an APS score based on your Grade 12 subject results. Each programme has a required APS — competitive programmes require higher scores.

Subject-specific Requirements

Some degrees, especially in science, engineering, or health sciences, require specific Grade 12 subjects with minimum levels of achievement.

Identification Documents

You will need either a South African ID or a valid passport for international applicants.

Supporting Documents

These often include your Grade 11 or 12 results, academic transcripts, and proof of payment for application fees, unless the university offers free applications.

Average Point Scores (APS)

APS requirements differ widely by programme and institution. For example:
Humanities programmes often require a lower APS.
Sciences, Engineering, Law, and Medicine have higher APS thresholds.
Medical programmes commonly demand high APS plus subject requirements in Mathematics and Science.

Tip: Always check the specific APS and subject requirements of the programme you want on the university’s official “Prospective Students” page.

How to Apply To Universities in South Africa: Step-by-Step Process

The application process for South African universities is mostly online, though a few allow manual (paper) applications for an extra fee.

Step 1: Choose Programs & Universities

Decide on:

The universities you wish to apply to.

The programmes/fields of study (e.g. Engineering, Business, Law).

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Before starting the application, gather:

Certified copies of your Matric certificate or interim results.
ID or passport.
Proof of payment (if required).
Any other programme-specific documents (e.g. portfolios, CVs).

Step 3: Visit the University Admissions Portal

Most universities provide a direct admissions portal on their official websites:

Here’s how to apply to some of the major institutions:

University of Cape Town (UCT)

Apply via the online application on the official UCT site under “Apply Now” — upload all supporting documents and submit before the deadline.

University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

Create an account on the WITS admissions portal — enter all details, upload required documents, pay the application fee, and submit.

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

UKZN uses the Central Applications Office (CAO) for many programmes. Head to the CAO portal, register, choose up to six programmes, upload documents, and pay the fee.

Other Institutions

Most other universities (e.g., UJ, UP, NMU, CPUT) have their own online application systems. Simply search “[University name] + 2027 applications” to find the official admissions portal.

Application Fees & Financial Information

Application fees vary by institution and whether you’re applying as a South African applicant, SADC applicant, or international student:

University	Application Fee (Approx.)
UCT	R100 (SADC) – R300 (International)
WITS	R100 – R700 (International)
UKZN (via CAO)	± R250
UWC	Free
NMU	Free for SA applicants; R500 (International)
NWU	Free for SA applicants; paid for international
UP	R300
CPUT	Free online; R200 manual

Note: Some universities offer fee waivers for low-income applicants. Always check the official admissions page for information on waivers.

International Applicants: Additional Steps

If you are an international student, there are additional requirements:

Study Visa

You must obtain a South African study visa before you can enrol. Apply at the South African embassy or through the official Home Affairs visa system.

SAQA Evaluation

Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to confirm equivalence to the NSC. Include your SAQA certificate with your application.

Important Tips to Maximize Your Chances

Here are some best practices:

Apply Early

Submit your application as soon as the portal opens — many competitive programmes fill quickly.

Double-Check Requirements

Ensure you meet the APS and subject requirements before applying — missing this could lead to rejection.

Follow Up

Check your email and application portal regularly for messages from the university. Admissions decisions, document requests, and offers will be communicated there.

Applying to South African universities for study in 2027 involves clear timelines, specific requirements, and careful planning. Most universities will open for applications from March–April 2026, with closing dates ranging from June to October 2026 — depending on the programme and institution.

Ensure you’ve:

Prepared all required documentation
Met minimum APS and subject requirements
Applied early through the official university portals

With the right preparation, you’ll be in a strong position to secure a place at one of South Africa’s leading universities and take the next step in your academic journey.