Applications
South African university application dates
Dates below are as published by each institution for the 2027 intake, current as of April 2026. Programmes like medicine, engineering, or other scarce-skill degrees can close earlier than the general date, so always confirm on the official site linked below before you plan around a deadline.
Public universities
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 31 Jul 2026
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 30 Sep 2026
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 31 Jul 2026
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 30 Jun 2026
Veterinary Science closes earlier, 31 May 2026
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 31 Oct 2026
Opens 1 Mar 2026 · Closes 30 Sep 2026
Opens Apr 2026 · Closes Sep 2026
Opens 1 Jun 2026 · Closes Check portal
Closing date had not been announced at time of writing
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 30 Sep 2026
Opens 1 Apr 2026 · Closes 30 Sep 2026
Opens 13 Apr 2026 · Closes Check portal
Closing date had not been announced at time of writing
Opens May 2026 · Closes Aug 2026
Private institutions
Around four intakes a year (roughly Jan/Feb, Feb/Mar, May/June, July/Aug). No single deadline, popular programmes fill up early.
Undergraduate contact studies applications close Friday, 30 Oct 2026. Late applications after that carry an extra fee.
Multiple intakes a year (January, May, July, September).
Multiple intakes through the year rather than one annual deadline.
Rolling admissions with intakes through the year; apply early for the intake you want.
Quarterly intakes (January, April, July, October).
Once you are in, we can help with what is next
CV, LinkedIn, and interview prep for when the application turns into an offer.
See Pathways