Documents for a South African University Application
These are the papers South African universities ask students from India and Pakistan to send. Each university may ask for more, so read its own page.
Two groups in South Africa check school and degree papers from other countries.
School papers: Matriculation Board
For a first degree, the Matriculation Board (part of Universities South Africa, USAf) checks your school papers. If they pass, you get an exemption certificate. It says your school papers count for a South African degree.
Degrees: SAQA
For a master's or PhD, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) can compare your degree with South African levels.
Which check you need depends on what you will study.
- Required by law for a first degree at a South African university.
- International students must have their school papers checked by the Matriculation Board.
- The fee is ZAR 1,070 (South African rand) in 2026, not refunded.
- You first get a temporary letter in 5 to 10 working days. The full certificate takes about 6 to 8 weeks after all papers and payment arrive.
- Needed if your university asks for it. Wits asks for it for postgraduate study with a degree from outside South Africa.
- Apply online. Only the person who holds the degree may apply.
- Normal time: 30 working days. Faster options cost more.
An exemption certificate is not an offer
Some courses ask for more.
- At Wits, some courses need extra department forms. If a form is half empty, Wits will not look at your application.
- At Wits, research and PhD applicants must first agree a topic and a guide teacher (a supervisor) with the Wits department.
Recommendations
- At Wits, some postgraduate courses ask for 3 people who can vouch for you, with their phone or email, on a Wits form.
Application fees are not refunded.
- University of Cape Town (UCT): ZAR 300 for students from outside southern Africa (outside the Southern African Development Community, SADC).
- Wits, postgraduate: ZAR 200.
- The same ZAR 1,070 fee as above, paid to the Matriculation Board in 2026.
Send clear copies stamped as true by an official, with English translations where needed.
Fake papers
- Papers not in English need an English translation by a translator approved by a court.
- SAQA needs both the original paper and the translation by a translator approved by a court.
- SAQA checks that your university is approved and that your degree is genuine.
- It then places your degree on South Africa's 10-level ladder of qualifications (the National Qualifications Framework, NQF).
- SAQA issues certificates online only.
Document Verification Timeline
Apply to the university
When you apply
Pay the application fee and upload the copies stamped as true by an official.
Start your check
After you apply
Exemption certificate for a first degree, or SAQA for a master's or PhD.
Send the result
When you get an offer
Give the exemption certificate or SAQA certificate to your university.
•Sending copies that are not stamped as true copies.
•Sending a translation without the paper in its first language. Always send the original paper too.
The papers most applicants need.
School and degree papers
Identity
Fees
Tips
Get your copies stamped as true copies by an official. At the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), postgraduate papers (master's or PhD) must be stamped no more than 3 months before you send them.
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