Status as of 26 September 2026. If you haven't applied yet, focus on the universities still open, and apply to UJ and UNISA as a backup. Both are open into October.
| University | 2027 closing date | Application fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Johannesburg (UJ) · official page | 31 October 2026 (12:00) | Free online | Still open |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) · official page | 9 October 2026 (undergraduate) | Check UNISA | Still open |
| Sol Plaatje University (SPU) | 31 October 2026 (undergraduate) | Free | Still open |
| University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) | 30 September 2026 for most programmes; Health Sciences and some others closed 30 June | R100 | Closes 30 Sep |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), via CAO | 30 September 2026 for many programmes; programme dates differ | CAO fee applies | Check programme |
| Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) | Programme-dependent: many closed 31 July; other programmes close 30 September | Confirm on TUT | Check programme |
| University of the Free State (UFS) | 30 September 2026 for general applications; some programmes closed earlier | Free | Closes 30 Sep |
| Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | Late applications for eligible programmes close 30 September; exclusions apply | Free for SA applicants | Limited programmes |
| Rhodes University | 30 September 2026 | R100 | Closes 30 Sep |
| University of Limpopo (UL) | 30 September 2026; MBChB and international applications closed 30 July | Confirm on UL | Closes 30 Sep |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | Closed 30 June 2026; Veterinary Science closed 31 May | Confirm on UP | Closed |
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | Closed 31 July 2026; no late applications | Confirm on UCT | Closed |
| Stellenbosch University (SU) | Closed 31 July 2026 | R100 for many SA applicants; exemptions apply | Closed |
| North-West University (NWU) | Closed 31 August 2026; selection programmes closed 30 June | R150 for SA applicants | Closed |
Dates were checked against the official pages linked above on 26 September 2026. Programme dates and fees can differ, so open the official page before submitting. Public TVET college dates also vary by college and programme.
Missed your first choice? What to do now
- Apply to UJ before 31 October 2026. The online application is free and it remains open later than many universities.
- Apply to UNISA before 9 October 2026 if distance learning suits you.
- Apply for NSFAS before 18 November 2026. It's separate from your university application. See the NSFAS 2027 guide.
- Watch for late and space-available applications in January, after matric results. Some universities and TVET colleges open these briefly.
Every university counts APS a little differently
Most universities add up your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation. Some use their own scales instead: Wits, UCT (which uses a Faculty Points Score) and Nelson Mandela University (which uses its own Applicant Score) are examples. Check the prospectus of each university, and use the free APS calculator as a starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Which universities are still open for 2027 applications?
As of 26 September 2026: UJ (until 31 October), UNISA (until 9 October) and Sol Plaatje University (general applications until 31 October). Several others close on 30 September 2026.
Which universities have free applications?
UJ (online), UFS, Sol Plaatje University and Nelson Mandela University (for SA applicants) list free applications for 2027. Confirm on the official page before applying.
Can I apply to more than one university?
Yes, and you should. Apply to a mix of first-choice and backup options, and check each one's closing date.