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UCT 2026 Applications Now Open: How to Apply & Dates

Applications for the 2026 academic year are now open at the University of Cape Town, renowned for its diverse and high-quality programs. The university welcomes applicants from around the globe who meet the eligibility criteria. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications and required documents before the application deadline using the university’s online application portal.

For many first-time Grade 12 applicants, the application process can seem overwhelming. To help simplify the process, this guide provides essential information and step-by-step instructions to assist applicants in completing their applications efficiently and avoiding common mistakes.

When to Apply to UCT For 2026

University of Cape Town is now accepting applications for the 2026 academic year, with the deadline for undergraduate programs set for July 31st and for postgraduate programs on August 31st. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications early to ensure consideration.

Due to the high demand for its programs, UCT cannot accommodate late or walk-in applications. Make sure to apply before the specified deadlines to secure your place.

What You Need to Apply Online to the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Since you’re preparing to apply electronically for a study course at the University of Cape Town (UCT), you must have the following:

An active cellphone number and your personal email address
A smart device that can access the internet.
Having consistent internet access during the application process
GOOGLE CHROME BROWSER
Soft copies of all supporting documentation (tiff, pdf, jpg or gif)
Make sure the scanned file is no larger than 512KB.
Certified and individually scanned documents if completed Grade 12.

What Documents Are Required for the Online University of Cape Town (UCT) Applications

Since you are applying online, the following documents must be converted to PDF or JPEG format before uploading. Please ensure that all documents are certified at your local police station.

Students From Abroad

Proof of permanent residency, refugee or asylum-seeking status
Grade 11 results (pre-final) and final-year school subjects with levels
Final school results from the International Curriculum (Cambridge International, International Baccalaureate, etc.), including School of Tomorrow.
Additional subject and rewrite results.

Domestic Applicants

Fresh Applicants: A copy of your examination results from Grade 11 until September of grade 12 must be submitted.
Transfer applicants: Transferring students should submit all transcripts and academic records
Passport or ID
Proof of payment for the application fee

Eligibility Requirements for UCT Programs

The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various faculties. This includes the opportunity to apply for two study programs as part of your application. To study at UCT, you need to satisfy the requirements below:

Undergraduate Certificate: Confirm eligibility with the Admissions Office or faculty.
Undergraduate Diploma: Requires a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a rating of 3 (40-49%) in 4 subjects.
Bachelor’s Degree: Requires a minimum of 4 subjects at a rating of 4 (50-59%) in NSC subjects, or matriculation endorsement for Senior Certificate holders. Non-South African certificates must meet matric exemption requirements.
Language Proficiency: Evidence of English proficiency is required.
- NSC Applicants: A rating of 2 (30-40%) or better in Home/First Additional Language.
- Senior Certificate Applicants: A 40% pass in English at Higher Grade

University of Cape Town Application Fee For 2026

All applicants, both new and returning, seeking admission to the University of Cape Town for the 2026 academic year are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of R100 for South African applicants and R300 for international applicants. The payment must be made at Standard Bank SA Ltd, using the account number 071503854 and branch code 025009. Be sure to use your ID number or student number as the reference when making the payment.

How to Apply Online at the University of Cape Town (UCT) for 2026

Now that you’ve determined your academic and non-academic requirements, follow the steps below to apply online for your program at the University of Cape Town (UCT):

Go to www.uct.ac.za.
Select Online Applications.
Navigate to the academic application portal.
Since you are applying for the first time, select No from the drop-down menu.
Complete all required fields.
Choose at least 2 study courses, which may come from any faculty or the same faculty.
Once your application is complete, the system will automatically generate a reference or student number for you.
Upload all supporting documents.
Double-check all entered details for accuracy.
Confirm the accuracy of your information and submit your application.

The University of Cape Town Admission Requirements

Before you consider applying to the University of Cape Town, you need at least:

National Senior Certificate (NSC) applicants must, for admission to the higher certificate, diploma or degree programmes have met the NSC requirements for such endorsement.
Applicants with non-South African secondary school leaving certificates must have met the requirements for matriculation exemption.

Check University of Cape Town 2026 Application

Applicants to the University of Cape Town can expect to receive notification on their application status by the end of October 2025. Applicants can however check the status of their applications by following the steps below.