The 2025 academic year commencement dates for South Africa’s universities has been revealed for 2025. This will affect thousands of students in the country.
Universities South Africa’s recently presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee On Higher Education And Training on the preparations of institutions for the 2025 academic year.
During the briefing, they revealed when universities will open registrations for new and returning students as well as the commencement dates of the 2025 academic year.
They revealed that 16 universities will commence with their academic programmes in January 2025 with the remaining institution commencing with teaching in February. Students will receive information on their courses upon registering for the 2025 academic year.
University Start Dates for 2025
|
University |
Date for Returning Students |
Date for First-Time Entering Students |
|---|---|---|
|
University of South Africa (UNISA) |
8 January 2025 |
8 January 2025 |
|
Stellenbosch University (SU) |
6 January 2025 |
22 January 2025 |
|
University of Venda (UNIVEN) |
6 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
|
University of Fort Hare (UFH) |
20 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
|
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) |
20 January 2025 |
3 February 2025 |
|
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) |
21 January 2025 |
14 January 2025 |
|
Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) |
28 January 2025 |
22 January 2025 |
|
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) |
27 January 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
|
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) |
31 January 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
|
University of the Free State (UFS) |
12 January 2025 (5 January for Health Science) |
27 January 2025 |
|
University of Pretoria (UP) |
8 February 2025 |
25 January 2025 |
|
University of Limpopo (UL) |
13 January 2025 |
23 January 2025 |
|
University of Johannesburg (UJ) |
13 January 2025 |
17 January 2025 |
|
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) |
27 January 2025 |
29 January 2025 |
|
Rhodes University (RU) |
6 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
University of Cape Town (UCT) |
1 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) |
31 January 2025 |
31 January 2025 |
|
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) |
9 February 2025 |
2 February 2025 |
|
University of the Western Cape (UWC) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
University of Zululand (UNIZULU) |
3 February 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
|
North-West University (NWU) |
3 February 2025 |
30 January 2025 |
|
University of Stellenbosch (SU) |
10 February 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
|
Durban University of Technology (DUT) |
10 February 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
|
University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (WITS) |
7 February 2025 |
27 February 2025 |
|
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) |
7 February 2025 |
7 February 2025 |
Students are encouraged to register at their institution as soon as registration opens. This will provide them with access to academic resources, financial aid opportunities, and accommodation.
Students who have applied for NSFAS funding should note that it is conditional upon registering for an approved programme. This means that if you don’t accept an admission offer in good time and register late, you run the risk of jeopardising your NSFAS funding.
If you have any questions or concerns about admission, registration, deadlines, or academic programmes, don't hesitate to contact the relevant university directly.
