Funding
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2027 Intake · A Legacy of Leadership
Apply to the University of Fort Hare — one of South Africa's most historic universities.
UFH's main campus sits in Alice, in the Eastern Cape, with further campuses in East London and Bhisho. Established in 1916, it educated generations of African leaders including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Robert Sobukwe. Applications for 2027 are open online — here's exactly what you need, and by when.
6Faculties
R120Application Fee (SA)
31 Oct2026 Closing Date
About the university
A legacy of leadership, since 1916
The University of Fort Hare was established in 1916 and, until 1959, was one of the main institutions of higher education for Africans, drawing students from across sub-Saharan Africa and shaping an African intellectual elite. Its alumni include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Robert Sobukwe and many of the leaders who went on to lead independence movements and governments across the continent.
Today UFH operates as a public university with its main campus in Alice, near the Tyhume River in the Eastern Cape, alongside campuses in East London and Bhisho. In 2024, its Nelson Mandela legacy sites were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising the university's role in human rights, liberation and reconciliation.
Good to know
UFH's online application fee is R120 for South African citizens and R500 for international applicants. A R250 late fee may apply if you miss the general closing date, so it pays to apply as early as possible — particularly for competitive programmes like Law and Health Sciences.
Plan ahead
2027 key application dates
UFH sets separate closing dates for undergraduate, Honours/Master's and PhD applications — always confirm your specific programme's date before you wait.
1 MAY 2026
Applications open
The UFH online application portal opens for undergraduate and postgraduate 2027 applications.
31 OCTOBER 2026
Undergraduate closing date
Final date for undergraduate applications for the 2027 academic year.
31 OCTOBER 2026
Honours & Master's closing date
Postgraduate Honours and Master's applications close on the same date as undergraduate.
31 MARCH 2027
PhD closing date
Doctoral applications remain open later, closing 31 March 2027.
Online, with a small application fee
How to apply to UFH
UFH applications are submitted online through the university's official admissions portal, with a non-refundable application fee payable on submission.
01
Before you start
- Check your programme's closing date and admission requirements in the current prospectus.
- Gather a certified copy of your ID or passport and your latest school results.
- Calculate your APS score for your chosen programme(s) ahead of time.
02
Submit online
- Go to the official UFH online application system on ufh.ac.za.
- Register with a personal email address and complete your applicant profile.
- Upload your supporting documents and pay the application fee (R120 SA / R500 international).
- Submit before the closing date for your specific programme.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Grade 11 final results, or latest Grade 12 results if you're a current matriculant
- National Senior Certificate or matric certificate, once available
- Academic transcripts, for current or previous tertiary students
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where applicable
Costs
Application fees
South African citizensR120
International applicantsR500
Late application feeR250
⚠️ UFH's system is strict about deadlines and late or incomplete applications may not be considered once a programme's closing date has passed — apply as early as possible, especially for competitive courses like Law and Health Sciences.
Where you could study
Faculties at a glance
Faculty
Education
Teacher training across Foundation, Intermediate, Senior and FET phases.
Faculty
Nelson R. Mandela School of Law
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and postgraduate human rights programmes — one of UFH's most competitive faculties.
Faculty
Management and Commerce
Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Information Systems and Public Administration.
Faculty
Science and Agriculture
Physics, Geology, Mathematics, Computer Science and Agribusiness Management, for students strong in Maths and Physical Science.
Faculty
Social Sciences and Humanities
Languages, Literature, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Journalism and Development Studies.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Nursing and public health qualifications, among UFH's most in-demand, earlier-closing programmes.
Three campuses, one legacy
Life at UFH
Alice Campus
Main campus near the Tyhume River, home to the majority of students and most faculties.
East London Campus
Runs a number of Commerce, Law and Social Science programmes for several thousand students.
Bhisho Campus
Smaller campus in the Eastern Cape's provincial capital, built in 1990.
UNESCO Heritage Sites
UFH's Nelson Mandela legacy sites were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.
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Frequently asked questions
When do UFH 2027 applications open and close?
Applications opened on 1 May 2026. Undergraduate applications, as well as Honours and Master's applications, close on 31 October 2026. PhD applications remain open until 31 March 2027 — always confirm the date for your specific programme.
How much is the application fee?
UFH charges R120 for South African citizens applying online, and R500 for international applicants. A R250 late fee may apply after the general closing date.
Where is UFH located?
UFH's main campus is in Alice, in the Eastern Cape, with additional campuses in East London and Bhisho. It's one of South Africa's most historic universities, established in 1916.
What faculties does UFH offer?
Six faculties: Education; the Nelson R. Mandela School of Law; Management and Commerce; Science and Agriculture; Social Sciences and Humanities; and Health Sciences — all offering qualifications up to doctoral level.
Does UFH offer NSFAS funding?
Yes. UFH is an eligible NSFAS institution. NSFAS applications for 2027 are expected to open around 1 August 2026 and close 31 January 2027, and must be submitted separately from your university application.
A legacy of leadership starts with applying.
Get your documents ready and submit your University of Fort Hare application before your programme's closing date.
Apply to UFH Now →