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How to Apply for UWC 2026: A Complete Guide for Students

If you’re intending to apply for a diploma, higher certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program at the University of the Western Cape, this guide offers all the necessary details to ensure your application process goes smoothly. Applications for the 2026 academic year will open on April 1, 2025, so it’s crucial to begin your preparations early.

Opening and Closing Dates for UWC 2026 Admission

University of the Western Cape is among the few institutions that open their application window early in the year before the intended year of study. Applications for the 2026 academic year are expected to open on April 1, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025. Late submissions are discouraged due to limited available spaces.

List of Courses offered at UWC for the 2026 academic intake year

Below are the faculties and their respective courses and programmes at the University of the Western Cape.

Faculty of Community and Health Sciences:

Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Community Development
BA Sport, Recreation, and Exercise Science
BSc Dietetics and Nutrition
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
BSc Occupational Therapy
BSc Physiotherapy
B Nursing

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences:

BAdmin (3-year stream)
BCom (3-year stream)
BCom (Financial Accounting)
BCom Information Systems (IS)
BCom Accounting (4-year stream)

Faculty of Arts and Humanities:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in various programs (not specified in the provided data)

Faculty of Natural Sciences:

BSc Environmental and Water Science
BSc Biotechnology
BSc Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
BSc Medical Bioscience
BSc Chemical Sciences
BSc Applied Geology
BSc Physical Science
BSc Mathematical & Statistical Science
BSc Computer Science
Bachelor of Pharmacy

Faculty of Dentistry:

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH)

Faculty of Law:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (4-year program)
BCom Law
Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law, 3-year program)

Faculty of Education:

BEd Accounting (FET), Economic and Management Sciences (SP), and Mathematics (SP)
BEd Mathematics (SP), Mathematical Literacy (SP and FET), and Natural Science (SP)
BEd Languages (SP & FET) and Life Orientation (SP)
BEd Languages (SP & FET) and Mathematics (SP)
BEd Languages (SP & FET) and Social Sciences (SP)
BEd Foundation Phase Teaching

UWC Admission Requirements For 2026 Intake

Each course at UWC has its own specific entry requirements. To assist you, below are the minimum entry requirements for admission into Degree, Diploma and Higher certificate

Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s Degree endorsement.
Diploma: Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate with a Diploma endorsement.
Higher Certificate: Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate with a Higher Certificate endorsement.

In addition to the above, you must satisfy the following requirements:

English must be taken either as Home Language or First Additional Language
Mathematical Literacy will be considered for LLB, Education and Humanities
You must have a good Admission Points Score (APS)

N.B.: Download the 2026 UWC prospectus to explore all entry requirements. Click Here to download it

Documents Required for UWC 2026 Applications

All prospective students are required by the University of the Western Cape to submit the following documents as part of the application process:

Transfer Applicants

Certified copy of your NSC Certificate or Senior Certificate
Certified copy of your Identification document
Certified Certificate of good conduct from your current/previous institution
Certified Official Academic Transcript
Module content / Yearbook descriptor from your institution for all modules completed
Certified Degree certificate (if applicable)

Post-Matric Learners

If you have written the NSC examination already, you need to submit the following:

Certified copy of your NSC certificate or Senior Certificate
Certified copy of your identification document
Proof of any studies with academic records, if applicable, you may have completed
If applicable, proof that you are currently improving your NSC results
In an affidavit a brief description of activities post-matric/NSC

Foreign students

You need to submit your final school results to Universities South Africa (USAf) for an evaluation
Application for Exemption is to be done with Universities South Africa (USAf) formerly Higher Education South Africa (HESA).
UWC unfortunately will not be able to respond to your application until you submit a confirmation letter issued by USAf stating that you qualify to study at a South African University.
Certified copy of your passport.

How to Apply at UWC 2026

Follow the guidelines and steps below to apply to the University of the Western Cape for admission 2026

Use Mozilla Firefox or Chrome
Ensure you have stable internet
Go to www.uwc.ac.za.
Select Online Applications.
Select and Click on NEW APPLICATIONS
Choose Application Type (undergraduate or postgraduate student).
Choose your Study Mode (full-time or part-time student).
Enter your surname, first names, and email address.
Choose your identification type (South African ID or Foreign Passport).
Provide your South African ID number or passport number if you’re an international applicant.
Choose Your Program Type (Undergraduate or Postgraduate).
If you have previously studied at UWC, enter your student number.
Indicate if you are transferring from another institution.
Verify and confirm the email address you entered.
Accept the terms and conditions of the University of the Western Cape.
Fill in all sections, especially those marked with a “*”.
Upload all supporting documents below:
After completing the application, review and submit it.

UWC Accommodation Applications 2026

University of the Western Cape provides campus housing and residence facilities to new students upon successful course registration. Applications must be submitted online and not directly at the residences.

The closing date for all applications is 30 September 2025. Late applications will not be accepted due to limited space.
NSFAS students must have a provisional or firm acceptance before being admitted into a residence.
Bursary students must provide proof of their bursary upon registration.
To apply for UWC residence, you must indicate on the application form whether you require UWC campus accommodation.