Opening & Closing Dates for South African Universities 2026

Good news for those hoping to study in South Africa: The 2026 application window is now open for all prospective students. Begin your application process for any South African university starting April 1, 2025, by filling out the online or paper-based application forms. Please note that deadlines vary by course and university, so be sure to read this article for the specific deadlines.

Prepare your application documents by certifying and scanning them into soft copies. Ensure you have your cell phone number and an active email address, as they will be required during the application process.

South African University 2026 Application Dates

Applications are officially open at almost all public universities for the 2026 academic intake. The 2026 application window will remain open until October 31, 2025, depending on the university and the type of course you wish to apply for. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application form, supporting documents, and, if applicable, the application fee are submitted to the university of your choice by the deadline, which is usually at midnight.

List of Universities Open for 2026 Applications and Closing Dates

The universities listed below are currently accepting new applicants for the 2026 academic intake. To apply to any of these universities, click on the respective link to be redirected to their application portal, where you can begin your 2026 online application.

Eastern Cape

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Apply Here
Rhodes University (RU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Apply Now
University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Apply Today
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- Application Opening: May 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Enroll Now

Free State

University of the Free State (UFS)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Register Today
Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Take Action Now

Gauteng

University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Application Opening: September 2025
- Application Deadline: November 2025
- Application Link: Apply for Enrollment
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Apply for Admission
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Application Opening: March 2025
- Application Deadline: July 2025
- Application Link: Get Your Application in
University of Pretoria (UP)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: August 2025
- Application Link: Begin Your Application
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Be Part of It, Apply Now
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Don’t Wait, Apply Now
Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Submit Your Form

KwaZulu-Natal

Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Secure Your Spot
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Application Opening: June 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Take the First Step
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Join Us Today
University of Zululand (UniZulu)
- Application Opening: May 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Apply for Your Future

Limpopo

University of Limpopo (UL)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Take the Leap, Apply Now
University of Venda (Univen)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Begin Your Enrollment

Mpumalanga

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
- Application Opening: May 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Register Now

Northern Cape

Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Reserve Your Spot Now

North West

North-West University (NWU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: October 2025
- Application Link: Take the Next Step

Western Cape

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Application Opening: May 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Apply Here
Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Register Now
University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Application Opening: May 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Reserve Your Spot Now
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Application Opening: April 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
- Application Link: Apply Today