University application is always a big deal for first time applicants. 2026 application for universities in South Africa is ongoing and it is mostly advisable for applicants to submit their applications as early as possible.
We have gathered most universities in south Africa and their application period for the 2026 – 2026 academic year.
University of Fort Hare
Applications Open: April 2026
Applications Close: 31 October 2026
University of Pretoria (Tuks)
Applications Open: March 2026
Applications Close:
- 31 May 2026 (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Health Sciences, and Architecture)
- 30 June 2026 (Faculty of Humanities: Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, Fine Arts, Information Design, Music and Drama)
- 30 September 2026 (most other programmes)
Find closing dates for specific programmes here.
University of the Free State
Applications Open:
- 1 March 2026 (Health Sciences Faculty except for Bachelor of Optometry and BSoc Sc Nursing)
- 1 April 2026 (all other programmes)
Applications Close:
- 31 May 2026 (Health Sciences programmes apart from Nursing)
- 31 July 2026 (Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Nursing)
- 30 September 2026 (all non-selection programmes)
- 1 November 2026 (Fine Arts)
UNISA – University of South Africa
Applications Open: 17 August 2026
North West University
Applications Open: 1 March 2026
Applications Close:
- 30 September 2026 (non-selection courses)
- 30 June 2026 (selection courses)
Nelson Mandela University
Applications Open: 1 April 2026
Applications Close:
- 2 August 2026 (early closing date)
- 30 September 2026 (late closing date)
UJ – University of Johannesburg
Applications Open: 1 April 2026
Applications Close: 27 September 2026
University of the Western Cape
Applications Open: May 2026
Applications Close: 30 September 2026
Rhodes University
Applications Open: March 2026
Applications Close: 30 September 2026
UKZN – University of KwaZulu-Natal
Applications Open: 15 March 2026
Applications Close:
- 30 June 2026 (Medical programmes)
- 30 September 2026 (all other programmes)
- 30 April 2026 (second-semester programmes)
WITS – University of Witwatersrand
Applications Open: 4 March 2026
Applications Close:
- 30 June 2026 (Faculty of Health Sciences; Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology, Bachelor of Arts in Film and TV)
- 30 September 2026 (all other programmes)
Walter Sisulu University
Applications Open: May 2026
Applications Close:
– 28 September 2026 (Health Sciences faculty)
– 31 October 2026 (Other faculties)
University of Limpopo
Applications Open: April 2026
Applications Close: 30 September 2026
University of Venda
Applications Open: May 2026
Applications Close: 27 September 2026
UCT – University of Cape Town
Applications Open: 5 August 2026
Applications Close: 31 October 2026
University of Mpumalanga
Applications Open: May 2026
Applications Close:
– 30 September 2026 (Education and Training programme)
– 31 October 2026 (all other programmes
University of Zululand
Applications Open: 15 March 2026
Applications Close:
– 30 August 2026 (Social Work)
– 30 September 2026 (Nursing Science)
– 31 October 2026 (all other programmes)
Stellenbosch University
Applications Open: 1 March 2026
Applications Close:
– 31 May 2026 (programmes in the Faculty of Medicine)
– 30 June 2026 (all other undergraduate programmes)
– 31 October 2026 (Diploma in Public Accountability)
Stellenbosch University
Applications Open: 1 March 2026
Applications Close:
– 31 May 2026 (programmes in the Faculty of Medicine)
– 30 June 2026 (all other undergraduate programmes)
– 31 October 2026 (Diploma in Public Accountability)
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Applications Open: 11 March 2026
Applications Close:
– 28 June 2026 MBChB, B Radiography, B Dental Surgery, B Dental Therapy, B Pharmacy, BSc Physio
– 26 July 2026 B Sc, BSc Diet, B Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, B Occ Therapy, B Oral Hygiene, B Nursing Sciences]
Sol Plaatje University
Applications Open: 25 March 2026
Applications Close: 30 September 2026
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Applications Open: 13th May 2026
Applications Close:
– 31 July 2026 (certain programmes)
– 30 September 2026 (all other programmes)
Vaal University of Technology
Applications Open: June 2026
Applications Close: 30 September 2026
Central University of Technology
Applications Open: May 2026
Applications Close: 29 November 2026
Tshwane University of Technology
Applications Open: 15 March 2026
Applications Close:
15 June 2026 (medical qualifications)
30 September 2026 (the majority of other programmes)
Durban University of Technology
Applications Open: 15 March 2026
Applications Close: 31 October 2026