The time has come to start applying for study at South Africa's 26 universities in 2026. You have to apply early if you want the best chance to be accepted at the university you want - for the course that you want.
If you're planning to study at one of South Africa's 26 public universities, it's good to know the university application dates. This is important because you need to make sure that you apply on time and your application process goes smoothly.
2026 University Applications Opening Dates
Are you looking for the 2026 university applications details? Here's what we know so far concerning 2026 university application dates.
- University of the Western Cape: 1 April until 30 September
- University of Cape Town: 1 April until 31 July
- Stellenbosch University 1 April until 31 July
- University of Pretoria: 1 April
- University of the Witwatersrand: Now Open
- 30 June: Teaching courses and Bachelor of Nursing applications close
- 30 September: All other programmes applications close
- University of Kwazulu Natal: Now Open until 30 September
- North West University: 1 April
- Nelson Mandela University: 1 April
- 30 June: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) & Bachelor of Radiography (BRad) applications
- 1 August: for early applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad).
- 30 September: for late applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad).
- University of Zululand: Now open until 31 October
- Central University of Technology: 13 May until 30 September
- Walter Sisulu University: 1 April until 31 October
- University of Limpopo: 1 April
- 30 July: MBChB Applications close
- 29 September: All other programmes applications close
- Durban University of Technology: Now Open until 30 September
- Sefako Makgatho University: 1 April until 31 July
- Tshwane University of Technology: 1 April until 30 September
- Mangosuthu University of Technology: Now open until 30 September
- University of the Free State: 1 April until 30 September
- University of Fort Hare: 1 June until 31 October
- University of Cape Town: 1 April until 31 July
- Rhodes University: April 2025
- University of Johannesburg: 1 April until 31 October
2026 University Applications Now Open
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Zululand (Unizulu)
- University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
The rest of the universities are yet to confirm their 2026 application dates.
NSFAS Bursaries and Student Loans
Students who attend any of the 26 public universities can qualify for funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) should they meet the eligibility criteria.
Full bursaries are available for students from families with an annual income of less than R350 000 per annum. Students from families with an income above this, but still below R600,000 per annum will qualify for a student loan from NSFAS.
NSFAS applications usually open in the final quarter of the year.
