On this page, we will guide you on what are the important facts to consider when you apply online at the University of Venda (Univen) for the year 2026.
We will cover important items regarding 2026 online applications, such as Admission Requirements, APS Score, Required Documents.
Before we go any further, let’s clear the myth first.
Univen is not only for Venda People!
I remember the time when Univen was informally known as “the university for the Venda people“. That was a reality 15 years ago. With the evolution of digital technology, universities (including Univen) now rely primarily on the convenience of online application systems, where students from all over the world can simply apply online at the comfort of their homes. This simplified process makes universities such as Univen to receive applications from the students all over South African provinces, and the world at large.
Also, all South African universities combined will not have enough capacity to accept all students into their 2026 courses – even if they meet all requirements. This is based on 2025 realities – where plenty of qualifying students were left stranded without a place to study at. Therefore, students no longer have the luxury of only applying at the universities of their choices anymore, or universities which are close to their homes. Students now have to apply at almost all universities in South Africa, hoping that one of them will accept them into their courses. Remember, i’m talking about qualifying students who meet all the requirements.
Hence, its not surprising at all to see Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho and many students from distant provinces roaming the streets and corridors of Univen. That’s how it should be anyway. Univen is a South African university, not Venda university.
So, go ahead and apply at Univen for 2026, no matter where you come from.
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Univen Online Application 2026 Guide – Essentials
Now, lets cut the drama and look at the essentials that will qualify you to study at Univen in 2026 a a first year student.
Univen Admission Requirements for 2026
Unlike other universities which has a single set of application requirements, such as the University of Western Cape, Univen has different application requirements for their degrees, diplomas and certificate courses types:
Univen Degree Courses Requirements
In order to apply for degree courses at Univen, you will need to meet the following set of requirements:
- You need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) certified by Umalusi.
- A minimum achievement rating of 4 (50–59%) or better in four 20-credit NSC subjects.
- A minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 26 is required.
- If you’ve completed Grade 12, you must have a Bachelor’s pass or Matric exemption.
Univen Diploma Courses Requirements
In order to apply for diploma courses at Univen, you will need to meet the following set of requirements:
- You need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) certified by Umalusi.
- A minimum rating of 3 (40–49%) in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects.
Univen Certificate Courses Requirements
In order to apply for certificate courses at Univen, you will need to meet the following set of requirements:
- You need an NSC certified by Umalusi (no specific percentage required).
The requirements for all courses are found from the Univen 2026 prospectus here.
Admission Point Score (APS) Calculation for 2026
Meeting Univen courses requirements is one thing, but meeting APS score points for courses you wish to apply for , is another.
First of all, Life Orientation is totally excluded from the entire APS calculation process.
Second of all, subjects with less than 40% final Grade 12 marks are also omitted from the calculation process.
Thirdly, if you have more than 7 Grade 12 subjects, only the subjects with higher marks will be used in the calculation process. So, having more than 7 Grade 12 will always come in handy towards Univen APS score calculation. This perk also applies to all South African university.
Univen APS Scoring Scale
| NSC Level | Percentage | APS Points |
|---|---|---|
| Level 7 | 90–100% | 9.0–10 |
| Level 7 | 80–89% | 8.0–8.9 |
| Level 6 | 70–79% | 7.0–7.9 |
| Level 5 | 60–69% | 6.0–6.9 |
| Level 4 | 50–59% | 5.0–5.9 |
| Level 3 | 40–49% | 4.0–4.9 |
| Level 2 | 30–39% | 0 |
| Level 1 | 0–29% | 0 |
Documents Required When Applying at Univen in 2026
When you apply to study at Univen for 2026 academic year, you will be requred to submit the following details for your application to be considered:
- South African ID or Passport
- Grade 11 final results with a school stamp
- Academic record (if you’re a current or past student at another tertiary institution)
- Certificate of good conduct (for returning students)
- Study/residence permit, medical insurance, or SAQA certificate (for international applicants)
- Student number or ID number
Univen Application Fee for 2026
Unlike many universities which require a non-refundable application fee, such as UCT, Wits and others, Univen does not. For both online application to study, as well as residence application, you will not be required to pay any fee for that.
Univen 2026 Application Submission
After taking note of all the points discussed above, here is what you should do in order to submit your Univen 2026 online application:
Step 1: Go to the applications page
Step 2: Create Application PIN of 5 digits and follow instructions from there.
Step 3: Click “Submit” application button
Step 4: Univen will send you your student number, which you will use going forward.
Step 5: Your application process is now complete.
How to Check Univen Application Status for 2026
After applying at Univen for 2026, you should only expect to hear from them formaly, in early January 2026, after your final matric results are out. However, you can always check and monitor your application status to see if you are conditionally approved for the courses you applied for, by clicking this link.
Thank you and all the best with your Univen applications, and other universities.