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2027 Intake · Academic and Research Excellence
Apply to Wits University — Johannesburg's leading research-intensive university.
Wits sits in the heart of Johannesburg, with its main campuses in Braamfontein and further campuses in Parktown. Established in 1922, it's known across Africa for academic and research excellence. Applications for 2027 are online — here's exactly what you need, and by when.
5Faculties
R100Application Fee (SA)
30 Sep2026 General Closing Date
About the university
Academic and research excellence, since 1922
The University of the Witwatersrand was established in 1922, growing out of the region's mining industry roots to become one of Africa's leading research universities. Wits has been recognised as the top-ranked university in sub-Saharan Africa for innovation performance in the 2025 Global Innovation Index, and hosts South Africa's only private teaching hospital, the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
With over 40,000 students across two urban and three suburban campuses, Wits is known for its strengths in medicine, engineering, law and the sciences, and owns the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site through its Wits Rural Campus.
Good to know
Wits' online application fee is R100 for South African citizens and R700 for international applicants. But high-demand programmes such as Health Sciences, Architecture and Film & TV close well before the general 30 September date — on 30 June — so it pays to check your specific programme first.
Plan ahead
2027 key application dates
Wits sets a general closing date for most programmes, but Health Sciences and a handful of other competitive programmes close much earlier — always confirm your specific programme's date before you wait.
1 MARCH 2026
Applications open
The Wits online application portal opens for the 2027 academic year.
30 JUNE 2026
Early-closing programmes
All Health Sciences programmes, Architectural Studies, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and TV close on this date.
30 SEPTEMBER 2026
General closing date
Final date for all other undergraduate programmes.
30 SEPTEMBER 2026
Residence applications
Residence applications open from 1 April 2026 and close on the same general date.
Online, with a small application fee
How to apply to Wits
Wits applications are submitted online through the university's self-service portal, and applicants may select up to three programmes in a single application.
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.
- Use your full official names exactly as they appear on your ID or passport.
02
Submit online
- Go to the official Wits self-service application portal on wits.ac.za.
- Register with a personal email address and complete your applicant profile.
- Upload your supporting documents and pay the application fee.
- 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
- Final matric certificate or foreign school-leaving certificate, once available
- English translations of any documents not issued in English
- Supporting documents for international applicants
Costs
Application fees
South African applicantsR100
International applicantsR700
Maximum programme choices3
⚠️ Wits does not accept late applications for high-demand faculties. Late or incomplete applications are usually not considered once a programme's specific closing date has passed — apply as early as possible, especially for Health Sciences and Architecture.
Where you could study
Faculties at a glance
Faculty
Commerce, Law and Management
Accountancy, Business Sciences, Economics and Finance, Law, Wits Business School and the Wits School of Governance.
Faculty
Engineering and the Built Environment
Architecture and Planning, Civil, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and Construction Economics and Management.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and more — among the university's most competitive, earlier-closing programmes.
Faculty
Humanities
Wits School of Arts, Education, Human and Community Development, Literature, Language and Media, and Social Sciences.
Faculty
Science
One of South Africa's leading science faculties, spanning the mathematical, physical, biological and earth sciences.
Five campuses, one university
Life at Wits
East & West Campus
The main Braamfontein campuses, housing Science, Humanities, Engineering, Commerce and Law.
Education Campus
Parktown campus dedicated to the Wits School of Education and teacher training.
Health Sciences Campus
Parktown campus close to Johannesburg's major hospitals for clinical training.
Wits Rural Campus
A rural campus in Mpumalanga, home to the Wits-owned Sterkfontein Caves heritage site.
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Frequently asked questions
When do Wits 2027 applications open and close?
Applications opened on 1 March 2026. All Health Sciences programmes, Architectural Studies, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and TV close on 30 June 2026. All other undergraduate programmes close on 30 September 2026 — always confirm the date for your specific programme.
How much is the application fee?
Wits charges R100 for South African citizens applying online, and R700 for international applicants. The fee must be paid before your programme's closing date.
Where is Wits located?
Wits' main East and West Campuses are in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, with additional campuses in Parktown for Education and Health Sciences, plus a rural campus in Mpumalanga.
What faculties does Wits offer?
Five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science — made up of 33 schools in total.
Does Wits offer NSFAS funding?
Yes. Wits 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.
Academic and research excellence starts with applying.
Get your documents ready and submit your Wits application before your programme's closing date.
Apply to Wits Now →