Early & Late University Application Dates For 2027
The 2027 academic year application season is now open for higher education institutions, including universities, TVET colleges, and other institutions. This guide is designed for applicants who are looking for institutions with early application dates.
In this article, you will find the official opening dates, closing dates, and expected late application periods for the 2027 academic year.
What You Need to Know
If you are planning to study in South Africa in 2027, here are the key things you should understand:
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Application dates differ depending on the programme, institution, country of origin, and qualification level.
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Most institutions accept applications between 1 April and 31 October 2026.
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Only a limited number of institutions allow late applications.
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Some universities charge an application fee, while others do not.
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Certain institutions accept online applications only, while others allow manual submissions or both.
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Applying early does not guarantee admission.
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Grade 11 learners are also eligible to apply.
2027 Application Dates for South African Universities: Early and Late Submission Periods
Here is a list of South Africaβs top 26 public universities, showing their 2027 application opening and closing dates, along with the expected late application periods.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)Β
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – January 13, 2027
- Closing Date: January 28, 2027
- Application Link
University of Fort Hare (UFH)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 November 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – From 07 January 2027
- Closing Date: 20 February 2027
- Application Link
University of Pretoria (UP)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – July 31, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – Β 21 to 31 January 2027
- Application Link
North-West University (NWU)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 31 August 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 1st October β 30th November 2027 (subject to availability)
- Application Link
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – September 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 14 November 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 13 to 27 January 2027 (Selected undergraduate courses)
- Application Link
University of the Free State (UFS)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – January 15, 2027
- Closing Date: 20 February 2027
- Application Link
Rhodes University (RU)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Late applications are not considered
- Application Link
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – June 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 31 October 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 20 January 2027
- Closing Date: 31 March 2027 (subject to space availability)
- Application Link
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 31 October 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – January 14, 2027
- Closing Date: January 19, 2027
- Application Link
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – 01 April 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – January 8, 2027
- Closing Date: February 7, 2027
- Application Link
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – March 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 01 November 2026
- Closing Date: February 29, 2027
- Application Link
University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – March 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) does not accept late applications.
- Application Link
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 31 July 2026
Late Application Window:
- UCT does not accept late applications
- Application Link
University of Limpopo (UL)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – October 31, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – From 01 November 2026 (subject to space availability)
- Application Link
University of Venda (Univen)
Early Application Window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 26 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – January 13, 2027
- Closing Date: 20 February 2027 (if there are still spaces available)
- Application Link
University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
Early Applications
- Opening Date – 01 June 2026
- Closing Date – 30 November 2026
Late Application Window:
- Closing Date: 30 January 2026 (if there are still spaces available)
- Application Link
Stellenbosch University (SUN)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 31 July, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Closing Date: 26 January 2027 (Subject to space availability)
- Application Link
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 1, 2026
- Closing Date – September 30, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Does not accept late applications
- Application Link
University of Zululand (UniZulu)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – March 01, 2026
- Closing Date – September 30, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – November 1, 2026
- Closing Date: March 31, 2027
- Application Link
Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 November 2026
Late Application Window:
- Late applications are likely not to be accepted for 2027
- Application Link
Central University of Technology (CUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – May 13, 2026
- Closing Date – September 30, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 01 November 2026
- Closing Date: 13 January 2027
- Application Link
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – April 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 01 December 2026
- Closing Date: 20 February 2027
- Application Link
Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – May 06, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – 31 January 2027
- Closing Date: 07 February 2027
- Application Link
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – January 01, 2026
- Closing Date – 30 September 2026
Late Application Window:
- Late applications will be open until November 30, 2026.
- Application Link
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – March 1, 2026
- Closing Date – September 30, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Closing Date: January 30, 2027
- Application Link
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Early Application window
- Opening Date – May 13, 2026
- Closing Date – September 30, 2026
Late Application Window:
- Opening Date – November 2026βJanuary 13, 2027
- Application Link
NOTE:
These dates are projections based on the historical application timelines of these universities and are therefore subject to change. Always confirm the exact dates on the official university websites.
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- Universities Open for 2026 Applications
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- SA Universities Open For Late Applications 2026