Funding
NSFAS & Bursaries: Funding Your 2027 Studies
How NSFAS funding and UP's fee waiver work alongside your application, plus other bursaries worth applying for early.
Read more →2027 Intake · Make Today Matter
Apply to the University of Pretoria — early, before Tuks fills up.
UP is one of South Africa's largest and most competitive research universities, spread across seven campuses in Pretoria. Its deadlines are also some of the earliest in the country — here's exactly what you need, and by when.
7Campuses
R300Application Fee
30 Jun2026 General Deadline
About the university
South Africa's home of "Make Today Matter"
Founded in 1908 as the Transvaal University College, the University of Pretoria — known to generations of students simply as Tuks — is now one of South Africa's largest research universities, with around 56,000 students spread across seven campuses in and around the capital.
UP's Onderstepoort campus houses the only veterinary faculty in South Africa, while its Hatfield, Groenkloof, Prinshof and Mamelodi campuses cover everything from law and engineering to education and health sciences. Admission is competitive and merit-based, guided by the university's motto: "with zeal and perseverance, strive towards the goal."
Good to know
UP's closing dates are among the earliest of any South African university — most undergraduate programmes close on 30 June, a full three months before universities like NMU or CUT. Don't leave this one for later in the year.
Plan ahead
2027 key application dates
UP does not accept late or walk-in applications, so treat these dates as firm, not flexible.
1 APRIL 2026
Applications open
The UP online application portal opens for the 2027 academic year.
31 MAY 2026
Veterinary Science closes
UP's Onderstepoort BVSc programme has South Africa's strictest and earliest vet-school deadline.
30 JUNE 2026
General closing date
Final date for all other undergraduate programmes — many popular degrees fill up before this date.
ONGOING
Selection & residence
Selection programmes and residence placement continue to be processed after the closing date.
Online application
How to apply to UP
Every UP application is submitted online — there's no manual or walk-in route, so make sure your documents and payment are ready before you start.
01
Before you start
- Calculate your APS using your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
- Gather a digital copy of your ID and your Grade 11 or latest Grade 12 results.
- Have your R300 non-refundable application fee ready (or proof of income for a waiver).
02
Submit online
- Go to the official UP online application system on up.ac.za.
- Select up to two programme choices and complete your personal and academic details.
- Upload your supporting documents, pay the application fee, and indicate if you want residence.
- Submit, note your student number (EMPLID), and track your status on the MyUP Portal.
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, once available
- SAQA evaluation and proof of English proficiency, for international applicants
- Proof of household income, if applying for an application fee waiver
Costs
Application fees
South African applicantsR300 (non-refundable)
International applicantsUS$30
Fee waiver threshold≤ R150,000 / year
⚠️ UP does not work with agents or representatives for admissions — apply only through the official up.ac.za portal, and note there are no late or walk-in applications.
Where you could study
Faculties at a glance
Faculty
Law
Home to the Centre for Human Rights, one of Africa's most influential LLB and human-rights law programmes.
Faculty
Engineering, Built Environment & IT
Civil, mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering alongside computer science and architecture.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Medicine, dentistry, nursing and allied health training centred on the Prinshof campus.
Faculty
Veterinary Science
South Africa's only veterinary faculty, based at the Onderstepoort campus — apply before 31 May 2026.
Keep reading
More guides for your application journey
A few extra resources worth going through before and after you apply.
Careers
After Matric Jobs(+249), Beginner in working environmnent, Retail, Sercurity Careers
A practical guide and list of open begginers Jobs, apply with ease and share with others.
Read more →Study material
Grade 12 Study Guides & Past Exam Papers
Free past papers and study notes to help push your APS score up before final results are released.
Read more →Student life
Getting Into a UP Residence: What to Know
How UP's 29 residences work, how to indicate residence on your application, and private options nearby.
Read more →Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do University of Pretoria 2027 applications open and close?
Applications opened on 1 April 2026. Veterinary Science closes on 31 May 2026, and all other undergraduate programmes close on 30 June 2026 — some of the earliest deadlines in South Africa.
How much is the application fee?
R300 for South African applicants and US$30 for international applicants, both non-refundable. A fee waiver is available for households earning R150,000 or less per year.
Does UP accept late applications?
No — UP does not accept late or walk-in applications, so submit well ahead of the relevant closing date.
What APS score do I need?
A general minimum of around 28 is common, though this varies by programme — competitive degrees like BEng or BCom Accounting Sciences typically need a higher score.
How do I apply for residence?
Indicate that you want residence accommodation directly on your online academic application — UP has 29 residences and there's no separate housing form.
Make today matter — apply early.
Get your documents ready and submit your University of Pretoria application before 30 June
Apply to UP Now →