Are you looking to study at one of South Africa’s higher education institutions next year? If so, the sooner you start planning your application the better! We look at the colleges that are still open for 2023 application. 

We know it’s difficult to keep track of all the different application deadlines for the various Universities so we have compiled a list of all the University application dates in South Africa. We have included dates when applications open, application closing date and late application dates. Prospective students can get ahead by finding a college open for 2023 application and then planning your university application. You can then give yourself time to prepare all the necessary documents and even give yourself time to look at any available bursaries or looking at the NSFAS application.

University Applications Open Applications Closing date Late Applications
University of Cape Town Now Open 31 July NA
University of the Fort Hare Now Open 30 November 2023 NA
University of the Free State Now Open Closing dates vary NA
University of Johannesburg Now Open 27 September NA
University of KwaZulu Natal Now Open 30 September NA
University of Limpopo Now Open 31 October NA
University of Mpumalanga Now Open 6 November 2023 NA
North-West University Now Open 30 September NA
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Now Open 30 September NA
Rhodes University Now Open 30 September NA
Stellenbosch University Now Open 31 July 2023 NA
University of Pretoria Now Open 30 September (some faculties have an earlier deadline for 31 July) NA
University of the Western Cape Now Open TBA NA
University of Witwatersrand Now Open 30 June & 30 September NA
Walter Sisulu University Now Open 30 September & 31 October NA
University of Venda Now Open 27 September NA

 

Universities of Technology Applications Open Application closing date Late Applications
Cape Peninsula University of Technology Now Open 30 September 2023 NA
Central University of Technology Now Open 31 October 2023 NA
Durban Institute of Technology Now Open 31 October 2023 NA
Tshwane University of Technology Now Open 15 June, 31 July, 30 September NA
Vaal University of Technology Now Open 30 September 2023 NA

Public Universities 

Stellenbosch University Online Application

Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

  • NMU Admission Registration 2023 – 2024 is scheduled to close on 14th September 2023

University of Fort Hare (UFH)

  • Applications for UFH will open on 1 April 2023.
  • Applications must be submit by the deadline of 30 November 2023
  • You can find the application forms here, application guidelines and fees, and banking details.

University of Pretoria (UP)

  • Most applications must be submit by the deadline of 30 September 2023
  • Further closing dates are Specific to Faculties.
  • You can browse all faculties and their stated dates here.

North-West University (NWU)

  • 31st July 2023 (Selection courses)
  • 30 September 2023 (Non-selection courses)
  • Northwest university application

University of South Africa (UNISA)

  • 1 September 2023 (applications open)
  • 15 December 2023 (closing date)

You can read up on the institution’s application guidelines and how to download the 2022 prospectus here.

University of the Free State (UFS)

  • 31 July 2023: Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, and Social Work:
  • 30 September 2023: All non-selection programmes
  • 1 November 2023: Fine Arts

Download a PDF that contains dates and important information for students from the institution.

 

Rhodes University (RU)

  • 30 September 2023 (Undergraduate studies)
  • 31 October 2023 (Postgraduate studies)

 

Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

  • 30 September 203 (Faculty of Health Sciences)
  • 31 October 2023 (Other Faculties)

 

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

  • 30 September 2021 –12:00 PM (Undergraduate Studies)

You can read up on the institution’s comprehensive application guidelines, closing dates for postgraduate applications, fees, and contact information here.

 

University of the Western Cape (UWC)

  • 30 September 2023 (excluding Bachelor of Dentistry and Oral Health, BA Honours Biokinetics, BSc Honours Biokinetics)
  • 31 August 2023: School of Government postgraduate degrees

Visit this page to learn how to launch and process your application.

 

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

  • 30 June 2023: Medicine
  • 30 September 2023: All other programmes

 

University of Witwatersrand (Wits)

  • 30 June 2023 (Faculty of Health Sciences (all programmes); Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology; BA Film and TV).
  • 30 September 2023 (All other University programmes; Residence applications).

Visit this page to apply online, learn about application fees, ways to process payment, etc.

University of Cape Town (UCT)

  • 31 August 2023 for all undergraduate programmes.

Note: applications for student accommodation close the same day.

University of Limpopo (UL)

  • 23 September 2023 (for both South African and International students).

Find the online application form and admission requirements on this page.

University of Venda (UniVen)

  • 30 November 2023

This page will direct you to the application portal.

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

  • Applications must be submit by the deadline of 6 November 2023

Stellenbosch University

  • Applications must be submit by the deadline of 31 July 2023

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

  • 30 July 2023 (B Radiography, B Dental Surgery, B Pharmacy, B Dental Therapy, MBChB, and BSc Physiotherapy)
  • 30 July 2023 (BSc, BSc Diet, B Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, B Occupational Therapy, B Oral Hygiene, B Nursing Sciences)

University of Zululand (UniZulu)

  • 30 August 2023 (Social Work)
  • 30 September 2023 (Nursing Sciences)
  • 31 October 2023 (for other programmes)

Sol Plaatje University

  • 30 November 2023 (All programmes)

Universities of Technology

 

Central University of Technology (CUT)

30 November 2023 (South African applications)

29 October 2023 (International applications)

 

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

30 November 2023 (All other programmes)

30 July 2023 (2022 applications for the CSIR Bursary Programme close)

 

Vaal University of Technology (VUT)

Applications for Vaal University are scheduled as per the below:

  • VUT Admission Registration 2022 – 2023 to close on 30 November 2023.
  • The Vaal University of Technology Application Portal is expected to shut down on the same date at 11:59 PM.

 

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)

MUT Admission Registration 2022 – 2023 will close on the below dates depending on which programme you are applying for:

    • Faculty of Engineering – first semester applications – 30 September 2023.
    • Faculty of Engineering – second-semester applications – 31 May 2023.
    • Faculty of Natural Sciences – 30 September 2023
    • Analytical Chemistry – second-semester applications – 31 May 2023.
    • Faculty of Management Sciences – 30 September 2023.
    • Applications submitted after 30 September may require a late application fee

 

Durban University of Technology (DUT)

Applications for Durban University of Technology are scheduled as per the below:

  • Durban University of Technology Applications for 2022 – 2023 are scheduled to close on 31 November 2023.

 

Walter Sisulu University of Technology and Science (WSU)

  • WSU Admission Registration 2022 – 2023 is scheduled to close on 30 September 2023.
  • For applications submit after the end of September but before 31st October 2023, there will be late application fee of R200.

 

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

  • CPUT Admission Registration 2022 – 2023 is scheduled to close on 30 September 2022 except for the following programmes:
    • Nursing programmes – closing 30 June 2023.
    • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – closing 30 June 2023.
    • Fashion Design, Visual Communication Design, Jewellery Design & Manufacture, Product Design, Interior Design, Architectural Technology – closing 31 July 2023.
    • International applications – closing 31 August 2023.

 

CTI Education Group

  • CTI Education Group Application Forms will open from April to November 2023.

Visit this page for further application information.