If you are searching for universities open for 2026, below is the complete and updated list of universities in South Africa that are accepting applications for the 2026 academic year. This includes key dates, opening and closing deadlines, and application fees.
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When Do Applications for 2026 Open?
Most universities open for 2026 applications between 1 March and 13 May 2025. A few universities, like CPUT and CUT, only open on 13 May 2025, which is later than most.
Universities That Are Already Open for 2026
The following universities have confirmed their 2026 application opening dates:
Wits application 2026 opening date
Wits University has opened its 2026 applications on 1 March 2025. Applications for programmes like Medicine and Health Sciences will close on 30 June 2025, while all other programmes close on 30 September 2025. Wits charges R100 for South African citizens and R700 for international applicants as an application fee.
You can apply online through the Wits application portal or download the Wits 2026 Prospectus for more information.
UCT application 2026 opening date
University of Cape Town has opened its 2026 applications on 2 April 2025. All applications will close on 31 July 2025, including those for Health Sciences and Law. UCT charges R100 for SADC students and R300 for international applicants.
Visit the UCT 2026 application page or download the UCT 2026 Prospectus to see full programme details.
UWC application 2026 opening date
University of the Western Cape opened its 2026 application cycle on 2 April 2025. Dentistry applications will close on 30 August 2025, while all other courses close on 30 September 2025. UWC does not charge any application fees.
Apply through the UWC application page and download the UWC 2026 Prospectus for guidance.
Stellenbosch University application 2026 opening date
Stellenbosch University started its 2026 applications on 1 April 2025. The closing date for all undergraduate programmes is 31 July 2025. The application fee is R100 for all applicants.
You can access the Stellenbosch University application portal and view the 2026 SU Prospectus.
UJ application 2026 opening date
University of Johannesburg opened its applications for 2026 on 1 April 2025. The application closing date is 1 October 2025. There is no fee for online applications, but manual applications cost R200.
Apply via the UJ online application system and view the UJ 2026 Prospectus.
CPUT application 2026 opening date
Cape Peninsula University of Technology began accepting 2026 applications on 13 May 2025. All applications will close on 30 September 2025. Online applications are free, while manual applications cost R200.
Use the CPUT application portal and download the CPUT 2026 Prospectus.
UP application 2026 opening date
University of Pretoria opened its 2026 applications on 2 April 2025. Veterinary Science applicants must apply by 31 May 2025, while all other faculties close on 30 June 2025. The application fee is R300.
Start your application on the UP Apply Now page and consult the UP 2026 Prospectus.
UKZN application 2026 opening date
University of KwaZulu-Natal opened its 2026 applications on 1 March 2025. Medicine applications close by 30 June 2025, and other programmes close on 30 September 2025. UKZN charges R210 for on-time South African applications, R420 for late applications, and R490 for international students.
Visit the UKZN application page and check the UKZN 2026 Prospectus.
Rhodes University application 2026 opening date
Rhodes University opened its 2026 applications on 1 May 2025. All applications must be submitted by 30 September 2025. The application fee is R100.
Access the Rhodes application page and read through the Rhodes 2026 Prospectus.
UNISA application 2026 opening date
University of South Africa will open its 2026 applications on 1 September 2025. Applications for undergraduate qualifications will close on 1 January 2026. UNISA charges an application fee of R135.
Start your application on the UNISA website and view the 2026 UNISA Prospectus.
NWU application 2026 opening date
North-West University opened its 2026 applications on 2 April 2025. Some faculties will close applications by 28 June 2025, while the rest close by 30 August 2025. NWU does not charge any application fee.
Applications can be submitted through the NWU Online Application Portal and you can view the NWU 2026 Prospectus.
UFS application 2026 opening date
University of the Free State started accepting 2026 applications from 1 April 2025. All undergraduate programmes will close on 30 September 2025. UFS does not charge an application fee.
Apply through the UFS Online Application page and download the UFS 2026 Prospectus.
NMU application 2026 opening date
Nelson Mandela University opened its 2026 applications on 1 April 2025. The closing dates vary depending on the programme. NMU charges no fee for South African citizens, but R500 for international applicants.
To apply, visit the NMU application website and consult the NMU 2026 Prospectus.
DUT application 2026 opening date
Durban University of Technology started its 2026 application process on 1 April 2025. The final closing date is 30 September 2025. Application fees are R250 for South African students and R300 for international applicants.
Submit your application via the DUT application platform and use the DUT 2026 Prospectus for all programme information.
UL application 2026 opening date
University of Limpopo opened its 2026 applications on 1 April 2025. Applications will close on 30 September 2025. UL charges R200 for South Africans and R750 for international applicants.
Start your application at the UL Online Application site and read the UL 2026 Prospectus.
WSU application 2026 opening date
Walter Sisulu University opened its applications for 2026 on 1 April 2025. Applications for Health Sciences will close on 30 September 2025, and all other programmes will close on 31 October 2025. WSU does not charge an application fee.
Visit the WSU application page and check the WSU 2026 Prospectus.
UFH application 2026 opening date
University of Fort Hare opened its 2026 applications on 1 June 2025. The closing date for all programmes is 30 September 2025. Online applications are free, but manual applications cost R120 for South Africans and R500 for international applicants.
Apply through the UFH Online Application System and use the UFH 2026 Prospectus for more info.
CUT application 2026 opening date
Central University of Technology started accepting 2026 applications on 13 May 2025. The closing date for all applications is 30 September 2025. The university has not confirmed a fee, but previous years indicate no online application fee.
Use the CUT online application portal and consult the CUT 2026 Prospectus for details.
MUT application 2026 opening date
Mangosuthu University of Technology opened its applications for 2026 on 1 April 2025. The final closing date is 30 September 2025. MUT has not officially published the application fee for 2026, but it has traditionally ranged around R250.
Apply at the MUT application portal and view the MUT 2026 Prospectus.
SPU application 2026 opening date
Sol Plaatje University opened its 2026 application season on 1 April 2025. The closing date for all programmes is 30 September 2025. SPU does not charge an application fee for online submissions.
Submit your application at the SPU Online Application page and read the SPU 2026 Prospectus.
TUT application 2026 opening date
Tshwane University of Technology opened its 2026 applications on 1 April 2025. All applications will close on 30 September 2025. TUT has not confirmed an application fee for 2026 yet, but online applications have been free in previous years.
Visit the TUT online application page and refer to the TUT 2026 Prospectus for more information.
UMP application 2026 opening date
University of Mpumalanga started accepting 2026 applications on 1 June 2025. The final date for applications is 30 September 2025. UMP has not yet updated the 2026 fee, but past applications were free for online submissions.
Apply on the UMP application site and download the UMP 2026 Prospectus.
UNIVEN application 2026 opening date
University of Venda opened its 2026 applications on 1 April 2025. All undergraduate applications will close on 30 September 2025. UNIVEN has not confirmed any changes to application fees, but online applications have been free in previous years.
Start applying on the UNIVEN application portal and view the UNIVEN 2026 Prospectus.
UNIZULU application 2026 opening date
University of Zululand opened its 2026 application process on 1 April 2025. The application deadline for all programmes is 30 September 2025. Application fees have not been officially released yet for 2026.
Access the UNIZULU application platform and check out the UNIZULU 2026 Prospectus.
VUT application 2026 opening date
Vaal University of Technology began its 2026 applications on 1 May 2025. All applications will close by 30 September 2025. VUT has not released the updated fee structure yet, but online applications are generally free.
Apply on the VUT online application page and refer to the VUT 2026 Prospectus.
Which Universities Close Applications Early?
Some programmes close much earlier than others for 2026 applications. For example:
- UP Veterinary Science – Closes 31 May 2025
- UKZN Medicine – Closes 30 June 2025
- WITS Medicine and other programmes – Close 30 June 2025
- UCT, SU, RU – All close by 31 July 2025
- UWC Dentistry – Closes 30 August 2025
- Most universities – Close by 30 September 2025
- UNISA – Has the latest deadline, 1 January 2026
Application Fees for 2026
Application fees vary depending on the university and whether you are a South African or international applicant:
- WITS: R100 (SA), R700 (International)
- UL: R200 (SA), R750 (International)
- UJ and CPUT: Free online, R200 for manual
- UFS, WSU, NWU: Free
- UFH: Free online, R120 manual (SA), R500 manual (International)
- UNISA: R135
- DUT: R250 (SA), R300 (International)
10 Useful Facts About South African University Applications for 2026:
List of Universities Which Are Open for 2026 Applications Table
Summary table of university applications and dates for 2026:
| Universities open for 2026 applications | University Application Link & Prospectus | Opening Date | Closing Date | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | 2026 applications link for UCT UCT 2026 Prospectus | 2 April 2025 | 31 July 2025 | R100 (SADC) / R300 (non-SADC) |
| University of the Western Cape (UWC) | 2026 applications link for UWC UWC 2026 Prospectus | 2 April 2025 | 30 August 2025 (Dentistry), 30 September 2025 (Other) | FREE |
| Stellenbosch University (SU) | 2026 applications link for SU SU 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 31 July 2025 | R100 |
| University of Johannesburg (UJ) | 2026 applications link for UJ UJ 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 1 October 2025 | FREE (online) / R200 (manual) |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) | 2026 applications link for CPUT CPUT 2026 Prospectus | 13 May 2025 | 30 September 2025 | FREE (online) / R200 (manual) |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | 2026 applications link for UP UP 2026 Prospectus | 2 April 2025 | 31 May 2025 (Vet Science), 30 June 2025 (Other faculties) | R300 |
| University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) | 2026 applications link for WITS WITS 2026 Prospectus | 1 March 2025 | 30 June 2025 (Specific programmes), 30 September 2025 (Other) | R100 (SA citizens) / R700 (foreign citizens) |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | 2026 applications link for UKZN UKZN 2026 Prospectus | 1 March 2025 | 30 June 2025 (Medicine), 30 September 2025 (Other programmes) | R210 (On-time SA) / R420 (Late SA) / R490 (International) |
| Rhodes University (RU) | 2026 applications link for RU RU 2026 Prospectus | 1 May 2025 | 30 September 2025 | R100 |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | 2026 applications link for UNISA Unisa 2026 Prospectus | 1 September 2025 | 1 January 2026 | R135 |
| North-West University (NWU) | 2026 applications link for NWU NWU 2026 Prospectus | 2 April 2025 | 28 June 2025 / 30 August 2025 | FREE |
| University of the Free State (UFS) | 2026 applications link for UFS UFS 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | FREE |
| Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | 2026 applications link for NMU NMU 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | Varies by programme | FREE (SA citizens) / R500 (International) |
| Durban University of Technology (DUT) | 2026 applications link for DUT DUT 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | R250 (SA) / R300 (International) |
| University of Limpopo (UL) | 2026 applications link for UL UL 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | R200 (SA) / R750 (International) |
| Walter Sisulu University (WSU) | 2026 applications link for WSU WSU 2026 Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 (Health), 31 October 2025 (Other) | FREE |
| University of Fort Hare (UFH) | 2026 applications link for UFH UFH 2026 Prospectus | 1 June 2025 | 30 September 2025 | FREE (online) / R120 (manual SA) / R500 (manual International) |
| Central University of Technology (CUT) | 2026 application link for CUT 2026 CUT Prospectus | 13 May 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) | 2026 application link for MUT 2026 MUT Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| Sol Plaatje University (SPU) | 2026 application link for SPU 2026 SPU Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) | 2026 application link for TUT 2026 TUT Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| University of Mpumalanga (UMP) | 2026 application link for UMP 2026 UMP Prospectus | 1 June 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| University of Venda (UNIVEN) | 2026 application link for UNIVEN 2026 UNIVEN Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| University of Zululand (UNIZULU) | 2026 application link for UNIZULU 2026 UNIZULU Prospectus | 1 April 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
| Vaal University of Technology (VUT) | 2026 application link for VUT 2026 VUT Prospectus | 1 May 2025 | 30 September 2025 | |
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