Applying at a university early increases your chances of securing a spot in your preferred programme and allows sufficient time to gather required documents.
Universities Accepting 2026 Applications
The following universities have officially opened their 2026 applications:
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Zululand (Unizulu)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
With South Africa's 26 public universities offering various deadlines, prospective students should stay informed about application dates to avoid missing key deadlines.
2026 University Applications Now Open
Some universities have already opened their 2026 applications:
- University of the Witwatersrand: Now open
- 30 June: Teaching and Bachelor of Nursing applications close
- 30 September: All other programmes close
- University of KwaZulu-Natal: Now open – 30 September
- University of Zululand: Now open – 31 October
- Durban University of Technology: Now open – 30 September
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Now open – 30 September
When Universities Will Open 2026 Applications
Here are the university application dates for 2026:
- University of the Western Cape: 1 April until 30 September
- Stellenbosch University 1 April until 31 July
- University of Pretoria: 1 April
- University of the Witwatersrand: Now Open
- 30 June: Teaching courses and Bachelor of Nursing applications close
- 30 September: All other programmes applications close
- University of Kwazulu Natal: Now Open until 30 September
- North West University: 1 April
- Nelson Mandela University: 1 April
- 30 June: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) & Bachelor of Radiography (BRad) applications
- 1 August: for early applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad).
- 30 September: for late applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad).
- University of Zululand: Now open until 31 October
- Central University of Technology: 13 May until 30 September
- Walter Sisulu University: 1 April until 31 October
- University of Limpopo: 1 April
- 30 July: MBChB Applications close
- 29 September: All other programmes applications close
- Durban University of Technology: Now Open until 30 September
- Sefako Makgatho University: 1 April until 31 July
- Tshwane University of Technology: 1 April until 30 September
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Now open until 30 September
- University of the Free State: 1 April until 30 September
- University of Fort Hare: 1 June until 31 October
- University of Cape Town: 1 April until 31 July
- Rhodes University: April 2025
- University of Johannesburg: 1 April until 31 October
Several universities have yet to confirm their application dates.
NSFAS Bursaries and Student Loans
Students applying to South Africa’s 26 public universities may be eligible for funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Full bursaries are available for students from households earning less than R350,000 per year. Those from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year may qualify for NSFAS student loans.
NSFAS applications typically open in the final quarter of the year.
