2025 South African Universities Application and Closing Dates: Complete Guide

2025 South African Universities Application Dates

This page provides a comprehensive list of application dates for South African universities for the academic year 2025. Most universities in South Africa close their application period on 30th September 2024, so be sure to apply on time to avoid disappointment.

Application Fees

Some universities charge an online application fee, typically ranging between R100 and R300, while others offer free online applications. The following universities do not charge an application fee:

• University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• University of the Western Cape (UWC)
• North-West University (NWU)
• University of the Free State (UFS)
• Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Central University of Technology (CUT)
• Rhodes University (RU)
• Sol Plaatje University (SPU)

South African University Application Dates for 2025

Here are the application dates for various South African universities:

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

• Applications Open: 6 April 2024
• MBChB Applications Close: 31 May 2024
• Early Applications (excluding MBChB): 5 August 2024
• Late Applications (excluding MBChB): 30 September 2024
• International Applications (excluding MBChB): 30 September 2024
• Student Housing Applications: 30 September 2024
  Apply at NMU

University of Fort Hare (UFH)

• Applications Open: July/August 2024 (TBC)
• Applications Close: November/December 2024 (TBC)
  Apply at UFH

University of Pretoria (Tuks)

• Applications Open: 1 May 2024
• Applications Close: Faculty-specific
  Apply at UP

North-West University (NWU)

• Applications Open: 1 June 2024
• Applications Close: Faculty-specific
  Apply at NWU

University of South Africa (UNISA)

• Applications Open: 21 August 2024
• Applications Close: 11 October 2024
  Apply at UNISA

University of the Free State (UFS)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 31 May 2024 (Health Sciences programs except Nursing)
  • 31 July 2024 (Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Nursing)
  • 30 September 2024 (All non-selection programs)
  • 1 November 2024 (Fine Arts)
    Apply at UFS

Rhodes University

• Applications Open: March 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 31 July 2024 (Undergraduate)
  • 31 October 2024 (Postgraduate)
    Apply at Rhodes University

Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

• Applications Open: May 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 28 September 2024 (Health Sciences Faculty)
  • 31 October 2024 (Other Faculties)
    Apply at WSU

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 30 November 2024 (Undergraduate)
  • 15 December 2024 (Postgraduate & Honours)
    Apply at UJ

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

• Applications Open: 15 May 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 31 August 2024 (Bachelor of Dentistry and Oral Health)
  • 30 September 2024 (All other programs)
    Apply at UWC

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Applications Close: November 2024 (Faculty-specific dates may apply)
  Apply at UKZN

University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 30 June 2024 (Health Sciences Faculty, Bachelor of Architecture, and specific programs)
  • 30 September 2024 (All other programs)
    Apply at Wits

University of Cape Town (UCT)

• Applications Open: 1 May 2024
• Applications Close: 31 August 2024
  Apply at UCT

University of Limpopo (UL)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Applications Close: 30 September 2024
  Apply at UL

University of Venda (UniVen)

• Applications Open: May 2024
• Applications Close: 27 September 2024
  Apply at UniVen

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Applications Close: 6 November 2024
  Apply at UMP

Stellenbosch University

• Applications Open: 6 April 2024
• Applications Close:
  • 31 July 2024 (Undergraduate & Residence Applications)
  • 1 August 2024 (Financial Assistance)
    Apply at Stellenbosch University

Sol Plaatje University (SPU)

• Applications Open: 1 April 2024
• Applications Close: 30 September 2024
  Apply at SPU

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

• Applications Open: 6 April 2024
• Applications Close: 31 July 2024
  Apply at SMU

Central University of Technology (CUT)

• Applications Open: May 2024
• Applications Close: 31 August 2024
  Apply at CUT

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

• Applications Open: 1 May 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 31 August 2024 (Design Programs)
  • 30 September 2024 (All Other Programs)
    Apply at CPUT

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

• Applications Open: 15 April 2024
• Closing Dates:
  • 31 July 2024 (Specific Programs)
  • 30 September 2024 (All Other Programs)
    Apply at TUT

Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

• Applications Open: 15 March 2024
• Applications Close: 30 September 2024
  Apply at VUT

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)

• Applications Open: Dates not released
• Applications Close: Dates not released
  Apply at MUT

Durban University of Technology (DUT)

• Applications Open: Dates not released
• Applications Close: Dates not released
  Apply at DUT

Make sure to visit the university's official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.