Early & Late University Application Dates For 2026

Early & Late University Application Dates For 2026

South African universities and TVET colleges are currently accepting applications for the 2026 academic year. Some institutions will close as early as June 30, 2025, while others will close by November of the same year. All of the universities’ opening, closing, and expected late application dates for the 2026 academic year are listed here. Please check your university’s dates and apply within that period.

Essential Application Information for the 2026 Academic Year

Prospective students mark the early and late deadlines for the universities or TVET colleges they have selected on their calendars to ensure they do not miss the application window. Students will not be allowed to reapply until the following year if they miss deadlines.

The application process requires substantial preparation, which involves obtaining and certifying documents, converting them to PDF, and researching bursary prospects for funding. Successful applications require careful planning and timely submission to ensure that all necessary procedures are accomplished. Although early applications do not guarantee admission, they do have an impact

2026 Application Dates for South African Universities: Early and Late Application Windows

Below are the top 26 public universities in South Africa, along with their 2026 application dates, including the anticipated late application dates for 2026, for your reference.

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – January 13, 2026
• Closing Date: January 28, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

University of Fort Hare (UFH)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 November 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – From 07 January 2026
• Closing Date: 20 February 2026
• Application Link For 2026

University of Pretoria (UP)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 02, 2025
• Closing Date – June 30, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date –  21 to 31 January 2026
• Application Link For 2026

North-West University (NWU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 31 August 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 1st October – 30th November 2025 (subject to availability)
• Application Link For 2026

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – September 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 14 November 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 13 to 27 January 2026 (Selected undergraduate courses)
• Application Link For 2026

University of the Free State (UFS)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – January 15, 2026
• Closing Date: 20 February 2025
• Application Link For 2026

Rhodes University (RU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Late applications are not considered
• Application Link For 2026

Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – June 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 31 October 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 20 January, 2026
• Closing Date: 31 March 2026 (subject to space availability)
• Application Link For 2026

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 31 October 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – January 14, 2026
• Closing Date: January 19, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – 02 April 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – January 8, 2026
• Closing Date: February 7, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – From 01 October 2025
• Closing Date: February 29, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – March 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) does not accept late applications.
• Application Link For 2026

University of Cape Town (UCT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 02, 2025
• Closing Date – 31 August 2025

Late Application Window:

• UCT does not accept late applications
• Application Link For 2026

University of Limpopo (UL)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – October 31, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – From 01 November 2025 (subject to space availability)
• Application Link For 2026

University of Venda (Univen)

Early Application Window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 26 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – January, 13, 2026
• Closing Date: 20 February 2026 (if there are still spaces available)
• Application Link For 2026

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Early Applications

• Opening Date – 01 June 2025
• Closing Date – 30 November 2025

Late Application Window:

• Closing Date: 30 January 2025 (if there are still spaces available)
• Application Link For 2026

Stellenbosch University (SUN)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 31 July, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Closing Date: 26 January 2026 (Subject to space availability)
• Application Link For 2026

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 2, 2025
• Closing Date – August 30, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Does not accept late applications
• Application Link For 2026

University of Zululand (UniZulu)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – September 30, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – November 1, 2025
• Closing Date: March 31, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

Sol Plaatje University (SPU)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 November 2025

Late Application Window:

• Late applications are likely not to be accepted for 2026
• Application Link For 2026

Central University of Technology (CUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – May 13, 2025
• Closing Date – September 30, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 01 November 2025
• Closing Date: 13 January 2026
• Application Link For 2026

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – April 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 01 December 2025
• Closing Date: 20 February 2026
• Application Link For 2026

Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – May 06, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – 31 of January 2026
• Closing Date: 07 February 2026
• Application Link For 2026

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – January 01, 2025
• Closing Date – 30 September 2025

Late Application Window:

• Late applications will be open until November 30, 2025.
• Application Link For 2026

Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – January 13, 2025
• Closing Date – February 22, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Closing Date: April 25, 2025
• Application Link For 2025

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Early Application window

• Opening Date – May 13, 2025
• Closing Date – September 30, 2025

Late Application Window:

• Opening Date – November 2025–January 13, 2026
• Application Link For 2026

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