South Africa Admissions

South African University Application Deadlines

Most courses start in February. Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of Pretoria (UP). Closing dates run from May to October 2026. Each university sets its own dates.

Application Timeline

South Africa

Applications for 2027 opened

Applications for 2027 opened at UJ and UP.

1 April 2026

UP and Wits health sciences closed

UP: most undergraduate courses. Wits: health sciences and some other courses.

30 June 2026

UCT undergraduate closed

UCT does not read late applications.

31 July 2026

Key Deadlines

University of Cape Town (UCT), undergraduate

Closed 31 July 2026 (for 2027)

University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), undergraduate

Closed 30 September 2026; health sciences closed 30 June 2026 (for 2027)

For study that starts in 2027, UJ's closing date is 12:00 on 31 October 2026. Undergraduate applications at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and UP closed earlier. Ask your university about any later dates.

How the Application Year Works

You apply in the year before you start. Closing dates differ by university and course.

The Application Cycle

Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 (UJ and UP).
Most courses start in February.
Accept your offer by the date in your offer letter.

Types of Application Deadlines

Main closing date

Main date

After this date, the university does not read your application.

Earlier dates for some courses

Earlier date

Health sciences and some other courses close earlier. At Wits, for example, health sciences closed on 30 June.

Tip for Students from India and Pakistan

Apply early. You may need an exemption certificate (it says your school papers count for a South African degree) or a check by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Your study visa can take 8 to 12 weeks or more.

Intakes

The academic year runs from January to December. Most degrees start in February.

Start of the year

February

Application Deadlines

Close datesMay to October of the year before, by university

Key Advantages

Most courses start in February.

Important Notes

The main intake for undergraduate study.

Mid-year and other intakes

Second half of the year, and some postgraduate intakes

Application Deadlines

Close datesSet for each course

Key Advantages

Some research degrees can start during the year.

Important Notes

Wits runs postgraduate intakes in January, April, July and September. SU takes students in the second half of the year.

When Decisions Come

Application Type	Typical Application Deadline	Decision Released	Student Reply Deadline
Wits postgraduate	Set for each course	Usually at the end of the year or the start of the next	By the date in your offer letter

Wits postgraduate: no set date for decisions. Most Wits departments decide at the end of the academic year or the start of the next.

Deadlines by University (2027 Intake)

Each university publishes its own dates.

Deadlines by University Tier

Closed for 2027

UCT

Wits

Typical Deadlines

• UCT undergraduate: 31 July 2026
• Wits undergraduate: 30 September 2026
• UP undergraduate: 30 June 2026

Key Characteristics

• UCT does not read late applications.

Plan for 2028 if you missed these.

Closing date: 31 October 2026

Typical Deadlines

• UJ undergraduate and postgraduate: 31 October 2026

Key Characteristics

• No application fee for international applicants.

Closing date 12:00 on 31 October 2026.

Courses With Earlier Dates

Program Type	Typical Deadlines	Special Considerations
Health Sciences (Wits)	Closed 30 June 2026	Also Architectural Studies, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and TV.
Veterinary Science (UP)	Closed 31 May 2026	-

Program-Specific Deadlines

Within the same university, different programs often have different application deadlines. Always check the specific department or program website for the most accurate deadline information, rather than relying solely on the university-wide admissions deadlines.

Finding the Exact Date

To find the most accurate and up-to-date deadlines for your target universities and programs:

Course page

At SU, find each postgraduate closing date on the course's page.

Course search

At Wits, find postgraduate rules and closing dates in the course search tool.

Plan Your Applications

Start from the closing date and count backwards.

Time Management Strategy

Application Checklist

From 1 April, the year before you start

Apply online and pay the application fee.
Upload copies stamped as true by an official (certified copies).

After you apply

Start your exemption certificate (first degree) or SAQA check (master's or PhD).
Check the university's website for your result.

Strategic Application Tips

Apply to more than one

At Wits you can choose up to three courses. At SU, postgraduate applicants can apply for two.

Do and Don't

Do:

Apply as early as you can.
Upload every document before the closing date.

Don't:

At Wits, do not send a new application to change course. Change your choice on the website where you applied.

Other Things to Plan For

Steps that take time after you apply.

Funding

There is little funding for international students.

Wits Postgraduate Merit Award (PMA)

Up to South African rand (ZAR) 71,900 for tuition fees, for students who qualify (2026 terms). You do not apply; Wits checks your marks (an average of 75% or more).

Study Visa Timing

Apply for your visa right after you accept your offer.

Student Visa Timeline

Accept your offer

First

You can apply for a visa even if your offer has conditions (a conditional offer).

Apply for your study visa

Straight after

At a VFS Global centre (the company that takes visa papers for South Africa) in India or Pakistan.

It takes time

A study visa can take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. It can take longer in the last months of the year.

Checks on Your Papers

School and degree checks

•

Exemption certificate: For a first degree. The Matriculation Board checks your school papers (Class 12 in India, Intermediate / HSSC in Pakistan). The certificate takes about 6 to 8 weeks after all papers and payment arrive.

•

SAQA check: For master's or PhD, if your university asks. SAQA checks foreign degrees. Normal time is 30 working days.

Important: An exemption certificate does not promise you a place.