Applying to university or college in South Africa can feel overwhelming — different deadlines, different portals, and a long list of documents. But the process is simple once you understand the steps. This guide walks you through everything you need to apply for the 2027 academic year, including the documents to prepare, how the APS works, NSFAS funding, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
💡 Start here: See which universities and colleges are open right now, with live closing dates, on our University & College Applications tracker.
When Do 2027 Applications Open and Close?
Most South African universities open 2027 applications between March and June 2026, and the majority close around 30 September 2026. But high-demand programmes close much earlier. Some key points:
- Wits opened first (1 March 2026). Most others — UCT, UP, UJ, Stellenbosch, UWC — opened 1 April 2026.
- UNISA opens much later (around September 2026) because it's a distance-learning institution on a different cycle.
- UCT and Stellenbosch do NOT accept late applications — miss their 31 July 2026 deadline and you wait a whole year.
- Health Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering at most universities close 3–4 months before the general deadline (often 30 June 2026).
Can I Apply Without My Matric Results?
Yes! This is the most important thing to know. The overwhelming majority of South African universities accept applications based on your Grade 11 final results. They give you a provisional (conditional) offer, which becomes final once your matric results are released in January 2027.
Applying with your Grade 11 marks is strongly recommended — it puts you ahead of the queue, especially for competitive programmes that fill up early. Do not wait for your matric results before applying. You'll likely miss the deadline.
The Documents You MUST Have Ready
Every South African university requires a core set of documents. Having these prepared, certified, and scanned before applications open will save you time and stop your application being delayed or rejected. Prepare these now:
Certified copy of your ID
Your South African ID or passport, certified within the last 3 months. Get several certified copies at once — you'll need them repeatedly.
Grade 11 final results
Stamped and signed by your school principal or secretary. This is what most universities use for provisional acceptance.
Latest Grade 12 results
Your most recent Grade 12 report — all available term reports. Universities may request your June results when available.
Proof of application fee payment
If the university charges a fee (R100–R300). Keep your bank reference number. Some universities are free.
Certified copy of parent/guardian's ID
Required by most universities, especially if you're under 18 or applying for funding.
Proof of residential address
A utility bill or bank statement, not older than 3 months.
Extra documents (course-specific)
A portfolio for Fine Art, Graphic Design, Architecture, Fashion or Interior Design. NBT results for UCT, Wits, UP and Stellenbosch. Some courses need a motivational letter or CV.
💡 Format tip: Scan documents as clear PDFs, each under 2MB. Name them properly (e.g. "Surname_ID.pdf"). Blurry photos taken on a phone are a common reason applications get held up.
What is the APS and Why Does It Matter?
APS stands for Admission Point Score. It's a number calculated from your matric subject percentages, and each university programme has a minimum APS you need to qualify. For example, a degree might need an APS of 30, while a competitive programme like Medicine might need 40+.
Each university calculates APS slightly differently — some exclude Life Orientation, others give it half points. Check the prospectus of each programme you're interested in for its exact subject requirements (e.g. "60% in Mathematics"). Meeting the APS is not enough on its own — you also need the right subjects at the right levels.
Know Which Portal to Use
There is no single national university application system in South Africa. Using the wrong portal is one of the most common and costly mistakes. Here's how it works:
- Most universities (UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UJ, UWC, Rhodes, UFS, NWU, NMU, TUT, CPUT and more) — apply directly through each university's own online portal. Each has a separate account and login.
- KwaZulu-Natal institutions (UKZN, DUT, MUT) — apply through the CAO (Central Applications Office) at www.cao.ac.za. One CAO application covers multiple KZN institutions at once.
Apply to Multiple Institutions
Never rely on a single application. Apply to at least three to five universities, using a mix of "reach" (competitive), "target" (you meet requirements comfortably), and "safety" (easy to get into) institutions. Even strong students are sometimes waitlisted or rejected at their first choice due to limited spaces.
Eight universities charge no application fee for online submissions: UJ, NWU, NMU, CUT, UWC, UFS, UFH and WSU. If money is tight, these are great low-barrier options to apply to.
Don't Forget TVET Colleges
University isn't the only route. South Africa's 50 public TVET colleges offer practical, career-focused qualifications — and many courses don't require matric. They offer NC(V) (National Certificate Vocational) and Report 191 (NATED) programmes in fields like engineering, business, IT, hospitality and electrical work. TVET colleges often have multiple intakes per year and apply directly at the college. They're affordable, hands-on, and lead straight to employable skills.
NSFAS Funding: Apply Separately!
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is government funding for students from low-income households. It can cover tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, and a personal care allowance. Crucially, if you pass all your modules, the loan converts into a bursary — you don't repay it.
Key NSFAS facts for 2027:
- You qualify if your combined household income is under R350,000 per year (or R600,000 for students with disabilities).
- NSFAS applications for 2027 are expected to open in September 2026 and close around November 2026.
- A university application and a NSFAS application are two completely separate processes. You must do both. Applying to university does not apply you for funding.
- Apply at www.nsfas.org.za — it's free.
⚠️ Avoid scams: NSFAS and universities never charge you to "guarantee" a space or "fast-track" funding. Never pay anyone who promises university admission or NSFAS approval for a fee. Apply only through official websites ending in .ac.za or .org.za.
After You Apply
Submitting is only the first step. Universities give you a student/reference number and an online portal. Check it at least once a week — they may request more documents, schedule a placement test, or make an offer that you need to accept by a deadline. Responding quickly is essential to securing your place. Formal registration happens in January/February 2027, before lectures begin.
Your Action Plan
To recap, here's exactly what to do:
- Get all your documents certified and scanned now
- Calculate your APS and check subject requirements for your chosen courses
- Apply to 3–5 institutions early (use your Grade 11 results)
- Use the correct portal (direct vs CAO)
- Apply to NSFAS separately when it opens in September 2026
- Check your application portal weekly and respond fast
Browse open institutions and their live deadlines on our University & College Applications tracker, and build a free professional CV with our CV Builder for courses that need one.
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