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How To Apply To University In South Africa

Applying to university in South Africa involves choosing a qualification, checking the admission requirements, finding out when applications open and close, completing the application, submitting the required documents and monitoring your application after submission.

Universities have their own application procedures, requirements, fees and closing dates. Some institutions also use a central application system. This guide explains the general process and what you need to prepare before applying.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOW DO I APPLY TO UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH AFRICA?

To apply to university, you normally apply directly to the university offering the qualification you want to study. You must complete the institution’s application process and provide the information and supporting documents it requires.

The general process is:

  1. Choose what you want to study.
  2. Choose the universities offering the qualification.
  3. Check the admission requirements.
  4. Check the university’s application dates.
  5. Check whether you need to write the NBT.
  6. Prepare your personal information and supporting documents.
  7. Create an online application account where required.
  8. Complete the application form.
  9. Select your qualification or programme choices.
  10. Pay the application fee if one is required.
  11. Upload or submit the required documents.
  12. Review your information carefully.
  13. Submit the application.
  14. Save your application reference number or confirmation.
  15. Check your application status after submitting.

The exact process differs between universities, so always follow the instructions provided by the institution you are applying to.

WHAT DO I NEED BEFORE APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY?

Before starting a university application, you should know what you want to study and which institutions offer the qualification.

You should also check:

  • The qualification and programme you want to study
  • The university’s minimum admission requirements
  • The required school subjects and minimum marks
  • The applicable APS or other admission score requirements
  • Whether the programme requires the National Benchmark Tests (NBT)
  • The application opening and closing dates
  • Whether an application fee is payable
  • Which supporting documents are required

Do not assume that meeting the minimum requirements guarantees admission. Universities may have selection requirements, limited spaces or additional requirements for particular programmes.

See our guides to University Admission Requirements, APS Requirements and National Benchmark Tests (NBT) for more information.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A UNIVERSITY AND COURSE?

Start by deciding what you want to study and then identify universities that offer the qualification.

When comparing universities, consider:

  • Whether the university offers your preferred qualification
  • The admission requirements
  • The duration of the qualification
  • The location and campus
  • Application and tuition costs
  • Accommodation options
  • Available student funding
  • Whether the programme has additional selection requirements

You can use our Universities in South Africa guide to find information about the country’s public universities.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY TO UNIVERSITY?

You should apply as early as possible once applications open and before the university’s published closing date.

Application dates differ between institutions and qualifications. Some universities open applications months before the start of the academic year, while different programmes can have different closing dates.

Do not assume that all universities close applications at the same time.

Check our University Application Dates guide for the latest application deadlines.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO APPLY TO UNIVERSITY?

The documents required depend on the university, qualification and your circumstances. Applicants are commonly asked to provide identification and school or academic results.

Documents that may be required include:

  • South African ID document or passport
  • Grade 11 final results
  • Grade 12 June or trial results, where applicable
  • National Senior Certificate or other school-leaving certificate if you have already completed Grade 12
  • Previous academic records if you have studied at another tertiary institution
  • Previous qualification certificates where applicable
  • Proof of payment of the application fee where applicable
  • Additional documents required for specific programmes

For example, universities may request certified copies of documents from applicants who have already completed Grade 12 or studied at another institution. The exact requirements must be confirmed with the university.

HOW DO I APPLY ONLINE TO UNIVERSITY?

Most university applications can be completed online through the institution’s application portal, although the exact process varies.

A typical online application involves:

  1. Open the university’s official application portal.
  2. Create an applicant account or provide your identification details.
  3. Enter your personal information.
  4. Provide your school or previous academic information.
  5. Select your qualification and programme choices.
  6. Upload the required documents.
  7. Pay the application fee if required.
  8. Review your application.
  9. Submit the application.
  10. Save the confirmation or application reference number.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED WHEN COMPLETING AN ONLINE APPLICATION?

It is useful to have your information ready before starting the application because you may need to complete several sections in one session.

Have the following available:

  • Your ID or passport details
  • Your contact details
  • Your residential and postal address
  • Parent or guardian information where requested
  • School information
  • Grade 11 and Grade 12 results where available
  • Details of previous tertiary study if applicable
  • Your preferred qualification and programme choices
  • Electronic copies of supporting documents
  • Payment details if an application fee applies

Check the university’s application instructions before starting because the information requested can differ between institutions.

DO I HAVE TO PAY A UNIVERSITY APPLICATION FEE?

Not every university charges the same application fee. Some universities charge a fee, while others allow applicants to apply free of charge or provide fee exemptions for certain applicants.

Always check the official application information for the university you are applying to before making payment.

CAN I APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE UNIVERSITY?

Yes. You can apply to more than one university, provided you meet the application requirements and submit a separate application where required.

Applying to several institutions means you must keep track of each university’s application deadline, application fee, programme choices, supporting documents, admission requirements and application status.

Do not assume that submitting an application to one university automatically applies you to another university.

CAN I APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE COURSE OR PROGRAMME?

This depends on the university and its application rules.

Some universities allow applicants to select more than one programme, while others place limits on the number of choices.

Check the specific university’s application instructions before deciding how to use your programme choices.

CAN I APPLY THROUGH THE CENTRAL APPLICATIONS OFFICE (CAO)?

Some institutions use the Central Applications Office (CAO) rather than requiring applicants to submit an individual application directly to every institution.

The CAO application system is particularly relevant to a number of institutions in KwaZulu-Natal.

Applicants using the CAO must follow the CAO application process, including selecting institutions and programmes, submitting the application, paying the applicable fee and providing the required documents.

Check whether your chosen institution participates in the CAO before starting an application.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY UNIVERSITY APPLICATION?

After submitting your application, the university processes your application and checks the information and documents you provided.

You may then receive an admission decision, a conditional offer, a waiting-list outcome or notification that your application was unsuccessful, depending on the institution and programme.

Keep checking the university’s applicant portal and email address for updates.

HOW DO I CHECK MY UNIVERSITY APPLICATION STATUS?

Most universities provide an online applicant portal where you can check the progress of your application.

You may need your application number, student number, ID number, email address or password to access the portal.

Application-status terminology differs between institutions, so read the explanation provided by the university if you are unsure what a particular status means.

WHAT IF MY UNIVERSITY APPLICATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL?

If your application is unsuccessful, first check the reason given by the university and determine whether there is another action available.

Depending on the institution and timing, you may be able to:

  • Apply for another qualification
  • Apply to another university where applications are still open
  • Consider an alternative qualification or study pathway
  • Investigate TVET college opportunities
  • Look for other available post-school opportunities

WHAT IF I MISS THE UNIVERSITY APPLICATION DEADLINE?

Do not assume that a late application will be accepted. Universities set their own closing dates and may refuse applications submitted after the deadline.

If you miss a deadline, check whether the university has officially reopened applications, another qualification is still accepting applications, another university still has applications open, or other post-school opportunities are available.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER I AM ACCEPTED?

If a university offers you a place, carefully read the admission or offer letter and follow the instructions provided by the institution.

You may need to accept the offer, provide additional documents, complete registration and arrange payment or funding before beginning your studies.

Admission and registration are not necessarily the same thing. Being admitted does not automatically mean that all registration requirements have been completed.

You should also arrange accommodation and funding as early as possible if you need them.

See our NSFAS and Bursaries resources for information about ways to fund your studies.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION CHECKLIST

  • Choose your qualification.
  • Choose the universities you want to apply to.
  • Check admission requirements.
  • Check APS requirements where applicable.
  • Check NBT requirements where applicable.
  • Check application opening and closing dates.
  • Check application fees.
  • Prepare your documents.
  • Complete the application.
  • Upload all required documents.
  • Pay the application fee where applicable.
  • Submit the application.
  • Save your application reference number.
  • Check your application status regularly.
  • Respond to requests from the university.
  • Accept your offer and complete registration if admitted.

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This university information was last updated in September 2026.

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