Opening & Closing Dates for South African Universities 2026
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)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
- 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)
Limpopo
- University of Limpopo (UL)
- 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