Thousands of South African students are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2025 academic year. Universities South Africa (USAf) recently presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, outlining key dates and preparations for the upcoming year.
Most South African universities will begin their academic programs in January 2025. A few institutions will commence in February.
University Start Dates for 2025
University |
Date for Returning Students |
Date for First-Time Entering Students |
---|---|---|
University of South Africa (UNISA) |
8 January 2025 |
8 January 2025 |
Stellenbosch University (SU) |
6 January 2025 |
22 January 2025 |
University of Venda (UNIVEN) |
6 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
University of Fort Hare (UFH) |
20 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) |
20 January 2025 |
3 February 2025 |
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) |
21 January 2025 |
14 January 2025 |
Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) |
28 January 2025 |
22 January 2025 |
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) |
27 January 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) |
31 January 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
University of the Free State (UFS) |
12 January 2025 (5 January for Health Science) |
27 January 2025 |
University of Pretoria (UP) |
8 February 2025 |
25 January 2025 |
University of Limpopo (UL) |
13 January 2025 |
23 January 2025 |
University of Johannesburg (UJ) |
13 January 2025 |
17 January 2025 |
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) |
27 January 2025 |
29 January 2025 |
Rhodes University (RU) |
6 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
University of Cape Town (UCT) |
1 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) |
31 January 2025 |
31 January 2025 |
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) |
9 February 2025 |
2 February 2025 |
University of the Western Cape (UWC) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
University of Zululand (UNIZULU) |
3 February 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
North-West University (NWU) |
3 February 2025 |
30 January 2025 |
University of Stellenbosch (SU) |
10 February 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
Durban University of Technology (DUT) |
10 February 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (WITS) |
7 February 2025 |
27 February 2025 |
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) |
7 February 2025 |
7 February 2025 |
Universities will soon open registrations for both new and returning students. Students are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Early registration provides access to valuable resources such as academic support, financial aid opportunities, and on-campus accommodation.