South African University Application Deadlines 2027
Complete list of application deadlines for all 24 SA universities. Don't miss the closing dates for your chosen programme.
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Miss the application deadline and you wait another year. Here are the 2027 application dates for every South African university.
2027 Application Deadlines
| University | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UKZN | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | Medicine closes 30 June |
| Wits | March 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | Health Sciences closes 30 June |
| UCT | April 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | Health Sciences closes 31 July |
| UP | March 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | Health Sciences closes 31 May |
| UJ | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| Stellenbosch | March 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | - |
| NWU | April 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | - |
| UFS | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | Health Sciences closes 31 July |
| Rhodes | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| NMU | April 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | - |
| UL | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | Health Sciences closes 30 June |
| Univen | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| WSU | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| UFH | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| DUT | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| MUT | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| CPUT | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| TUT | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| VUT | April 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| CUT | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| UMP | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| SPU | May 2026 | 30 Sept 2026 | - |
| UNISA | August 2026 | October 2026 | Semester 1 registration |
| SMU | April 2026 | 31 July 2026 | Health sciences only |
Critical Dates
- Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy): Most close between 31 May and 31 July 2026 — much earlier than other programmes
- General undergraduate: Most close 31 August – 30 September 2026
- UNISA: Opens and closes later than other universities (August–October)
Application Fees
| Fee Range | Universities |
|---|---|
| R100–R150 | MUT, DUT, CPUT, CUT, WSU, UFH |
| R200–R250 | UKZN, UJ, NWU, UFS, NMU, TUT, VUT, Rhodes |
| R250–R300 | Wits, UCT, UP, Stellenbosch |
| Free for NSFAS | All universities (with proof of NSFAS application) |
Tip: NSFAS applicants can apply for free at most universities. Upload proof of your NSFAS application when prompted.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
- Late applications — Some universities accept late applications with a penalty fee. Check the university’s website.
- Second semester intake — A few universities offer mid-year intake for certain programmes (UNISA, some UoTs)
- Wait until next year — Use the time to improve your marks or gain work experience
Your Application Checklist
- Calculate your APS with our APS Calculator
- Find courses you qualify for with What Can I Study
- Gather certified copies of your ID and results
- Save money for application fees (or apply for NSFAS first)
- Apply to at least 3 universities
- Save all reference numbers
- Track your application status
Don’t wait until the last week — systems get congested and you risk missing the cutoff. Apply early!