Which Universities Are Open For Applications 2026
Which Universities Are Open For Applications 2026
South Africa’s tertiary schools are now accepting applications for the 2026 academic year. All 26 public universities are accepting applications for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Those who have passed their second cycle with good grades should prepare their documents to avoid disappointment. To apply, learn each university’s application processes, requirements, and admission requirements from this website.
When to Apply to Universities in South Africa For 2026?
South African universities are accepting applications for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for the 2026 academic year. The application process starts on March 1 and ends on November 30, 2025. Closing dates vary by institution and program, so applicants should visit their preferred university’s official website to learn about the specific dates.
South African University Application 2026 Required Documents
Before submitting your application to your preferred university, you must attach these documents to the fully completed application form and mail or deliver them in person to the university’s campus. If you apply online, the system will prompt you to upload these documents during the application process. You cannot complete the online application if you do not have these documents to upload at the time of application. As a result, you must collect these documents before beginning your application process. One requirement for these documents is to be certified by the appropriate authority. You can have these documents certified at your local police station.
Required documents
For local Students
- A certified copy of your Grade 12 examination results
- Certified ID
- Provide your Grade 11 if you are yet to complete
- You can produce your birth certificate in place of your ID
- Certified copy of your marriage certificate
- Proof of payment of the compulsory and non-refundable application fee
Foreign Students
- Certified ID
- A certified copy of your first-page passport
- Medical Report
- Proof of proficiency
- Study Visa
- You can produce your birth certificate in place of your ID
- Certified copy of your marriage certificate
- Proof of payment of the compulsory and non-refundable application fee
Please Note: There may be additional documents depending on the institution
South African Universities and Application Fees For 2026
In South Africa, most government universities do not charge an application fee. Some do, but some applicants are exempt. Application or processing fees can range from free to R500. it is your responsibility to pay the application fee for your preferred university if required. If the university you’re applying to requires an application fee, you’ll have no choice but to pay it and attach proof to your documents before submitting them. We will give details of the application fees for South African universities so that you are fully informed about the university to which you are applying.
How Application Fees Are Paid In South Africa
Prospective university applicants will be given information on how to pay for their applications to their preferred universities. Most universities accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks, direct deposits, and EFT. The payment methods for all South African and international applicants will be published on the universities’ official websites. Unless otherwise specified, you are not to pay the application fee to a third party.
Universities in South Africa accepting applications for the academic year 2026
The following universities are all open for the 2026 admissions in South Africa
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Online Application 2026
- Rhodes University (RU) Online Application 2026
- University of Fort Hare (UFH) Online Application 2026
- Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Online Application 2026
- University of the Free State (UFS) Online Application 2026
- Central University of Technology (CUT) Online Application 2026
- University of South Africa (UNISA) Online Application 2026
- University of Johannesburg (UJ) Online Application 2026
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Online Application 2026
- University of Pretoria (UP) Online Application 2026
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Online Application 2026
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Online Application 2026
- The Vaal University of Technology Online Application 2026
- Durban University of Technology (DUT) Online Application 2026
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Online Application 2026
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Online Application 2026
- University of Zululand (UniZulu) Online Application 2026
- University of Limpopo (UL) Online Application 2026
- University of Venda (Univen) Online Application 2026
- University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Online Application 2026
- Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Online Application 2026
- North-West University (NWU) Online Application 2026
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Online Application 2026
- Stellenbosch University (SU) Online Application 2026
- University of Cape Town (UCT) Online Application 2026
- University of the Western Cape (UWC) Online Application 2026
Application Process of South African Universities for 2026
It’s worth noting that different universities may have different application processes, and some may also use the Common Application as a platform for application submission, allowing students to apply to multiple universities with a single application.
If you have any specific questions about a university’s application process, I recommend contacting the admissions office or downloading and reading the prospectus of the university you are applying to. Make sure you apply in accordance with the applicable standards for the academic year.
Follow the steps below;
- Choose your preferred university.
- Select your field of study
- Learn about your course’s prerequisites.
- Discover how to apply to university.
- Collect all supporting documentation.
- At your local police station, have the documents certified.
- Download and fill out the form, or apply online through the application portal.
- Submit your application and check its status after a few weeks.