Find out which South African universities are open for 2027 applications. Compare application fees (free vs paid), closing dates, and direct links to apply – updated for Grade 12 learners and gap-year students
Introduction
Competition for university places in South Africa grows more intense every year. Applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot – especially for high-demand programmes like Medicine, Engineering, and Health Sciences, which often close months before the general deadline. Below is a comprehensive, up-to-date list of South African universities currently accepting applications for the 2027 academic year, including their official websites, application fees, and key closing dates.
Tip: Several institutions offer free online applications for South African citizens. There is no reason to delay.
Traditional (Research) Universities
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Website: www.uct.ac.za
- Application Portal: apply.uct.ac.za
- Open Date: 1 April 2026
- Closing Date: 31 July 2026 (undergraduate)
- Application Fee: R100 (SA & SADC applicants) | R300 (outside SADC)
- Notes: One of South Africa’s top-ranked universities. NBTs required for most programmes.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Website: www.wits.ac.za
- Application Portal: application.wits.ac.za
- Open Date: 2 March 2026
- Closing Date: 30 June 2026 (Health Sciences, Architecture) | 30 September 2026 (all other programmes)
- Application Fee: R100 (SA citizens) | R700 (international applicants)
- Notes: Leading research university in Johannesburg. Apply early for competitive faculties.
3. Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Website: www.sun.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.sun.ac.za/apply
- Open Date: 1 April 2026
- Closing Date: 30 June 2026 (undergraduate)
- Application Fee: R100 (SA applicants)
- Notes: Premier research institution in the Western Cape. Does not accept late undergraduate applications.
4. University of Pretoria (UP)
- Website: www.up.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.up.ac.za/apply
- Open Date: 1 April 2026
- Closing Date: 30 June 2026 (Health Sciences & Veterinary Science) | 31 August 2026 (other programmes)
- Application Fee: R300 (SA applicants) — some sources note free online options; confirm on the portal
- Notes: One of South Africa’s largest contact universities, renowned for Veterinary Science and Health programmes.
5. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Website: www.uj.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.uj.ac.za/apply
- Open Date: 1 April 2026
- Closing Date: 31 October 2026
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (online applications for SA citizens)
- Notes: One of the most popular universities in South Africa with four Gauteng campuses and diverse programmes.
6. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Website: www.ukzn.ac.za
- Apply via CAO: www.cao.ac.za
- Closing Date: 30 June 2026 (Health Sciences & Law) | 30 September 2026 (general)
- Application Fee: R250 (SA applicants via CAO) | R300 (international) — fee rises to R470/R580 after 1 November 2026
- Notes: Applies through the Central Applications Office (CAO). One application covers UKZN, DUT, MUT, and UNIZULU.
7. University of the Free State (UFS)
- Website: www.ufs.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.ufs.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (SA applicants)
- Notes: Campuses in Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and South Campus. Highly accessible for SA students.
8. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Website: www.uwc.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.uwc.ac.za/apply
- Status: Open for undergraduate and postgraduate applications
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (SA applicants)
- Notes: Known for its social justice mission and accessible application process.
9. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Website: www.mandela.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.mandela.ac.za/apply
- Open Date: 13 April 2026
- Closing Date: 30 June 2026 / 3 August 2026 / 30 September 2026 (depending on programme)
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (SA applicants) | R500 (international applicants)
- Notes: Located in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Strong in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, and Education.
10. North-West University (NWU)
- Website: www.nwu.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.nwu.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026 (general)
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (online applications for SA citizens)
- Notes: Multiple campuses. Opens applications around June 2026.
11. Rhodes University
- Website: www.ru.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.ru.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: Confirm on the official portal (fee applies for most applicants)
- Notes: Intimate campus environment in Makhanda (Grahamstown). Strong in Journalism, Law, and Science.
12. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
- Website: www.smu.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.smu.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: R200 (SA applicants)
- Notes: Dedicated health sciences institution. Apply early — medical programme seats are highly competitive.
Universities of Technology (UoTs)
13. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Website: www.tut.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.tut.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: R240 (SA applicants)
- Notes: One of the largest universities in South Africa with multiple campuses in Tshwane, Pretoria.
14. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Website: www.cput.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.cput.ac.za/apply
- Open Date: Around May 2026
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (online applications) | R100 (manual/paper applications)
- Notes: Premier technical university in the Western Cape. Strong industry partnerships.
15. Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Website: www.dut.ac.za
- Apply via CAO: www.cao.ac.za
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: R250 (SA applicants via CAO)
- Notes: Applies via the Central Applications Office (CAO) along with UKZN, MUT, and UNIZULU.
16. Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Website: www.cut.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.cut.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: 30 September 2026
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (all programmes)
- Notes: Located in Bloemfontein and Welkom, Free State. Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Other Public Universities
17. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- Website: www.wsu.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.wsu.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (online applications)
- Notes: Located in the Eastern Cape, serving rural and semi-urban communities.
18. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- Website: www.ufh.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.ufh.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: Confirm on the official portal
- Notes: Historic university in Alice, Eastern Cape — alma mater of many African leaders.
19. University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
- Website: www.ump.ac.za
- Application Portal: www.ump.ac.za/apply
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: ✅ FREE (SA applicants)
- Notes: A newer institution serving Mpumalanga province. Good option for students in the region.
20. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Website: www.unisa.ac.za
- Application Portal: my.unisa.ac.za
- Open Date: August – October 2026 (applications open later than contact universities)
- Closing Date: Confirm on the official portal
- Application Fee: Confirm on the official portal (fee structure varies by qualification)
- Notes: South Africa’s largest open distance and e-learning university. Ideal for working adults and students who cannot attend in person.
Quick Summary: Free vs Paid Applications
| Application Fee | Universities |
|---|---|
| FREE | UJ, UFS, UWC, NMU, NWU, CUT, CPUT (online), WSU, UMP, Sol Plaatje University (SPU) |
| R100 | Wits, Stellenbosch, UCT (SADC) |
| R200 | SMU |
| R240 | TUT |
| R250 | CAO institutions (UKZN, DUT, MUT, UNIZULU) |
| R300 | UP, UCT (outside SADC) |
Important Tips
- Apply early. Many universities process applications on a rolling basis. An early provisional offer is better than waiting until October.
- Health Sciences and Medicine have the earliest deadlines – often 30 June 2026. Missing this date means waiting another year.
- KZN universities (UKZN, DUT, MUT, UNIZULU) all use the CAO (cao.ac.za). One R250 fee covers up to six programme choices across these institutions.
- NSFAS applications for 2027 are expected to open in September 2026. Apply alongside your university application.
- Always verify closing dates directly on the university’s official website, as dates may be updated.
Last updated: May 2026. Always confirm details directly with the relevant institution before applying.
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