2027 Intake · Updated Guide
South African university application dates, all in one place.
There's no single national application system in South Africa — every university runs its own portal, on its own timeline. This guide pulls the key 2027 opening and closing dates together, so you can plan around all of them at once.
Dates change between cycles — always confirm on the official university site before you rely on any date here.
Why this matters
Missing a deadline can cost you a year
Unlike the UK's UCAS or Ireland's CAO, most South African universities run entirely separate application systems with their own dates, fees and requirements. A handful of KwaZulu-Natal institutions — UKZN, Mangosuthu University of Technology and the University of Zululand — share a Central Applications Office (CAO), but that's the exception rather than the rule. Everyone else needs to apply directly, and to track deadlines individually.
Early birds
Competitive programmes — Medicine, Veterinary Science, Architecture, Health Sciences — often open first and close as early as May or June 2026.
Main season
Most undergraduate applications open between April and June 2026, with many traditional universities closing around July.
Late closers
Several comprehensive universities and universities of technology keep applications open into September, October, even November 2026.
Distance learning
UNISA, as a distance-learning institution, typically opens later — around August/September — for the following year's first semester.
Good to know
"General closing date" almost never applies to every programme at a university. Competitive courses fill up and close early — sometimes months before the date most people know about. Always check the specific programme page, not just the university's homepage.
2027 intake
Application dates at a glance
A snapshot of typical opening and closing dates for major South African universities. Entries marked Checked were confirmed against official or multiple independent sources during this guide's most recent update; others reflect commonly reported dates and should be verified directly with the institution.
| University | Typical Opens | General Closes | Notes & Early Closers |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | 1 April 2026 | 31 July 2026 Checked | Strict deadline, no late applications. Housing closes same date; postgrad coursework 30 Sep. |
| Stellenbosch University (SU) | 1 April 2026 | 31 July 2026 | Some programmes may set earlier internal deadlines. |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | 1 April 2026 | 30 June 2026 | Veterinary Science closes earlier, around 31 May 2026. |
| University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) | 1 March 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Health Sciences, Architecture and some BA programmes close 30 June. |
| University of Johannesburg (UJ) | 1 April 2026 | 31 October 2026 | Popular courses can fill and close before the general date. |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | ~August 2026 | Oct/Nov 2026 | Distance learning; exact dates vary by semester and qualification. |
| Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | 1 April 2026 | 30 September 2026 | MBChB, BPharm, BRad close 30 June. International: 30 Sep. |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | 1 March 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Medicine closes 30 June. Apply via the CAO. |
| University of the Free State (UFS) | 1 April 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Some Health Sciences programmes may close as early as 31 May. |
| North-West University (NWU) | 1 April 2026 | 31 August 2026 | Specific programmes may vary. |
| Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) | 1 April 2026 | 30 September 2026 Checked | R240 application fee. Selection programmes (Nursing, Architecture) close ~15 June. |
| Vaal University of Technology (VUT) | 21 May 2026 | 30 Oct (national) / 30 Sep (intl) Checked | Several diplomas and BEd close 31 July 2026. |
| University of Limpopo (UL) | 1 May 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Applications after 30 Sep generally not accepted. |
| University of Venda (Univen) | 1 May 2026 | 30 September 2026 Checked | Free to apply. Nursing, Law, Engineering close ~30 June–31 Aug. |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) | 2 April 2026 | 31 July 2026 | Postgraduate applications close around 30 August. |
| Central University of Technology (CUT) | Apr/May 2026 | 30 September 2026 | No late applications or walk-ins. |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) | 1 March 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Apply via the CAO. |
| University of Zululand (UNIZULU) | 1 March 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Apply via the CAO. |
| University of Fort Hare (UFH) | 1 April 2026 | 31 October 2026 | Confirm exact date on the official UFH site. |
| Rhodes University (RU) | 1 April 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Application fee around R100. |
| Sol Plaatje University (SPU) | Early 2026 | 31 October 2026 Checked | No listed application fee for 2027 — confirm on official SPU page. |
| University of Mpumalanga (UMP) | 1 June 2026 | 30 November 2026 Checked | R200 fee. Honours/PGDip also 30 Nov; Master's/Doctoral 30 Jan 2027. |
| Walter Sisulu University (WSU) | 1 April 2026 | 31 October 2026 Checked | Free to apply. International/high-demand close 30 Sep. No late applications. |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) | 11 May 2026 | 31 August 2026 Checked | Free to apply. Late window to 30 Sep for SA citizens/PR. Health Sciences close earlier. |
| Durban University of Technology (DUT) | 1 March 2026 | 30 September 2026 | Online applications only. |
Disclaimer
University application dates are subject to change without notice. This table is a planning aid, not a substitute for the official university website — always confirm your specific programme's deadline directly with the institution before relying on any date shown here.
Do your own research
How to find your specific dates
No centralised system means direct research is your best friend. Here's where to look, in order.
Official university website
The most reliable source. Look for an "Admissions," "Applications," or "Prospective Students" section with a calendar or key-dates list.
Programme-specific pages
Once you've picked a degree, check its own page — admission requirements and deadlines are usually listed there, and can differ from the general date.
The current prospectus
Download the prospectus for your intended intake year (e.g. the 2027 prospectus) — these comprehensive documents list all key dates in one place.
The admissions office directly
If you're still unsure, contact the university's admissions office by phone or email — it's worth the ten minutes.
Stay ahead
Pro tips for conquering deadlines
Build a personal calendar
List every university and programme you're considering with its specific dates, and set reminders a few weeks ahead of each one.
Start early — really early
Most applications open the year before you'd start studying. Begin gathering documents — certified ID, latest results — as soon as portals open.
Prioritise competitive programmes
Medicine, Law, Engineering and other high-demand fields close earliest. Apply to these first if they're on your list.
Know provisional vs. final offers
Many universities make provisional offers on Grade 11 or mid-year Grade 12 results — your final offer depends on your actual matric results.
Check residence deadlines separately
Student housing often has its own, sometimes earlier, deadline distinct from the academic application — don't let this catch you out.
Budget for application fees
Some universities charge a non-refundable fee, others don't. Confirm the current amount and payment method before you apply.
Go deeper
University-specific guides
Full application guides with verified dates, fees, faculties and campuses for individual universities.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is there one central application system for all South African universities?
No. Unlike UCAS in the UK or the CAO in Ireland, most South African universities each run their own separate online application system, with their own dates and fees. UKZN, Mangosuthu University of Technology and the University of Zululand are a partial exception — they share the KwaZulu-Natal Central Applications Office (CAO).
When do most 2027 applications open and close?
Most institutions open applications between March and June 2026, with general closing dates clustering around July to October 2026. Competitive programmes — Medicine, Health Sciences, Veterinary Science, Architecture — often close much earlier, sometimes by May or June 2026.
Do I need to pay a fee to apply?
It depends on the university. Some, like Sol Plaatje University and CPUT, currently charge no application fee, while others such as UCT (R100), TUT (R240) and Rhodes (around R100) do. Fees can change between cycles, so confirm the current amount directly with the institution.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
Policies vary — some universities allow limited late applications if space remains, but many, including UCT and WSU, accept no late applications under any circumstances. If you miss a deadline, contact the university directly rather than assuming an exception will be made.
Your future starts with a deadline you don't miss.
Bookmark this page, mark your calendar, and start gathering your documents today — applications open sooner than you think.
List of all Universities →