University Applications for 2026 in South Africa
Starting your university adventure is a significant step, and getting your application in early is critical. Many universities in South Africa have already launched applications for the 2026 academic year. Whether you intend to study medicine, engineering, education, or anything else, now is the time to begin planning. In this article, I will walk you through which universities accept applications, what the application fees are, and where you can apply. It is your future; take the first move in the correct direction.
Universities Open for 2026 Applications
| University | Application Period | Application Fee | Apply Online |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | Closing 31 May 2025 (Vet Science), 30 June 2025 (Other faculties) | R 300, FREE if your household income is lower than or equal to R150 000 per annum. | Apply to UP |
| North-West University (NWU) | Closing 28 June 2025 (Selection courses), 30 August 2025 (Other courses) | FREE for South African citizens, R600 for international students | Apply to NWU |
| University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) | Closing 30 June 2025 (Teaching & Nursing), 30 September 2025 (Other programmes) | R100 for South African citizens, and R700 for foreign citizens | Apply to WITS |
| University of Limpopo (UL) | Closing 30 July 2025 (MBChB), 29 September 2025 (Other programmes) | R200 for South African citizens and R750 for International students | Apply to UL |
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | Closing 31 July 2025 | R100 for students from the SADC region and R300 for students from the non-SADC region | Apply to UCT |
| Stellenbosch University (SU) | Closing 31 July 2025 | R100 for South African citizens, R400 for international students | Apply to SU |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) | Closing 31 July 2025 | R300 | Apply to SMU |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R210 for South African on-time applicants, R420 for late South African applicants, R490 for SADC and rest of Africa | Apply to UKZN |
| University of the Western Cape (UWC) | Closing 30 September 2025 | FREE | Apply to UWC |
| Durban University of Technology (DUT) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R250 for South African citizens and R300 for International students | Apply via CAO |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R500 | Apply via CAO |
| University of the Free State (UFS) | Closing 30 September 2025 | FREE | Apply to UFS |
| Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R240 | Apply to TUT |
| Sol Plaatje University (SPU) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R100 | Apply to SPU |
| University of Venda (UNIVEN) | Closing 30 September 2025 | R100 | Apply to UNIVEN |
| University of Johannesburg (UJ) | Closing 1 October 2025 | FREE for online applications and R200 for hardcopy applications | Apply to UJ |
| University of Zululand (UNIZULU) | Closing 31 October 2025 | R250 for South African citizens and R300 for International students | Apply via CAO |
| Walter Sisulu University (WSU) | Closing 31 October 2025 | FREE | Apply to WSU |
Universities Opening Soon for 2026 Applications
| Rhodes University (RU) | Opening 1 May – Closing 30 September 2025 | R100 | Apply to RU |
| Vaal University of Technology (VUT) | Opening 1 May – Closing 30 September 2025 | R110 for South African citizens and R120 for late applications and International students | Apply to VUT |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) | Opening 13 May – Closing 30 September 2025 | FREE for online applications and R100 for hardcopy applications | Apply to CPUT |
| Central University of Technology (CUT) | Opening 13 May – Closing 30 September 2025 | FREE | Apply to CUT |
| University of Fort Hare (UFH) | Opening 1 June – Closing 31 October 2025 | R120 | Apply to UFH |
| University of Mpumalanga (UMP) | Opening 1 June – Closing 30 September 2025 | R200 for South African students, R400 for SADC students and R550 for International students | Apply to UMP |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | Opening 1 September 2025 – Closing 1 January 2026 | R140 | Apply to UNISA |
| Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | Closing dates vary by programme | FREE for South African citizens and R500 for international students | Apply to NMU |
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