As the 2025 academic year approaches, prospective students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the important deadlines set by various South African universities.
Universities around South Africa have confirmed the dates when they will release admission offers for 2025 studies.
Universities South Africa (USAf) announced that university outcome letters will be released by universities on 14 January, after matric results are released. The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, will announce the 2024 matric results on 13 January and it will then be released to matrics the following day.
Once you receive an offer of admission, it's crucial to accept it within the specified timeframe. Late acceptance may jeopardise your place at the institution. It's also important to consider other students when receiving admission offers.
Many universities work on a first come, first serve basis. This means that if you are offered placement at a university which you do not intend to register at, you may withholding that offer from a deserving student who wants to study in 2025. This makes rejecting admission offers just as important as accepting them.
2025 Academic Year
USAf also revealed when the 2025 academic year will commence at the 26 public universities in South Africa. For first-time entering students, sixteen universities will commence in January and ten universities in February.
Here's a breakdown of the university start dates for 2025:
|
University |
Date for Returning Students |
Date for First Time Entering Students |
|
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 |
|
Durban University of Technology (DUT) |
10 February 2025 |
10 February 2025 |
|
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) |
31 January 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
|
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
North-West University (NWU) |
3 February 2025 |
30 January 2025 |
|
Rhodes University (RU) |
6 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
Stellenbosch University (SU) |
6 January 2025 |
22 January 2025 |
|
University of South Africa (UNISA) |
8 January 2025 |
8 January 2025 |
|
University of South Africa (UNISA) |
8 January 2025 |
8 January 2025 |
|
University of Stellenbosch (SU) |
10 February 2025 (2 January for Health Sciences) |
10 February 2025 |
|
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) |
20 January 2025 |
3 February 2025 |
|
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) |
27 January 2025 |
29 January 2025 |
|
University of Cape Town (UCT) |
1 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
University of the Free State (UFS) |
12 January 2025 (5 January for Health Science) |
27 January 2025 |
|
University of Fort Hare (UFH) |
20 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
|
University of Johannesburg (UJ) |
13 January 2025 |
17 January 2025 |
|
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) |
31 January 2025 |
31 January 2025 |
|
University of Limpopo (UL) |
13 January 2025 |
23 January 2025 |
|
University of the Western Cape (UWC) |
7 February 2025 |
1 February 2025 |
|
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) |
9 February 2025 |
2 February 2025 |
|
University of Pretoria (UP) |
8 February 2025 |
25 January 2025 |
|
University of Venda (UNIVEN) |
6 January 2025 |
20 January 2025 |
|
University of Zululand (UNIZULU) |
3 February 2025 |
27 January 2025 |
|
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) |
21 January 2025 |
14 January 2025 |
|
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (WITS) |
7 February 2025 |
27 February 2025 |
|
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) |
7 February 2025 |
7 February 2025 |
Adhering to registration deadlines will ensure that you can access academic resources, financial aid, 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 and admission offer in good time and register late, you run the risk of jeopardising your NSFAS funding as the bursary scheme provides funding based on available funds.
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If you have any questions or concerns about admission, registration, deadlines, or academic programmes, don't hesitate to contact the relevant university directly.
