Which Universities Are Open for the 2026 Application

Aweh, lekker people! If you’re ready to hit varsity in 2026, don’t sleep on the applications — the doors are opening now at unis all over Mzansi. From Jozi to Cape Town and beyond, every place has its deadlines, so get your docs sorted and apply sharpish.

This quick guide will show you which universities are open and when to send in your stuff. No time to dilly-dally, bru — let’s get it!

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Which Universities Are Open for the 2026 Application

Here are the South African public universities currently open for 2026 applications, with their relevant deadlines.

University Application Status Opening Date Closing Date(s)
Wits (University of the Witwatersrand) Open Already open Teaching & Nursing: 30 June 2026; Others: 30 Sep 2026
UKZN (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Open Already open 30 September 2026
Unizulu (University of Zululand) Open Already open 31 October 2026
MUT (Mangosuthu University of Technology) Open Already open 30 September 2026
DUT (Durban University of Technology) Open Already open 30 September 2026
UWC (University of the Western Cape) Open 1 April 2026 30 September 2026
SU (Stellenbosch University) Open 1 April 2026 31 July 2026
UP (University of Pretoria) Opening soon 1 April 2026 Most faculties: 30 June 2026; Vet: 31 May 2026
NMU (Nelson Mandela University) Opening soon 1 April 2026 Health courses: 30 June 2026; Others: 30 September 2026
CUT (Central University of Technology) Opening soon 13 May 2026 30 September 2026
WSU (Walter Sisulu University) Opening soon 1 April 2026 31 October 2026
TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) Opening soon 1 April 2026 30 September 2026
UFH (University of Fort Hare) Opening soon 1 June 2026 31 October 2026
UJ (University of Johannesburg) Opening soon 1 April 2026 31 October 2026
NWU (North-West University) Opening soon 1 April 2026 31 August / 30 September 2026 (varies by programme)
UCT (University of Cape Town) Opening soon 2 April 2026 31 July 2026 (some programmes only)
CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) Opening soon 13 May 2026 30 September 2026
UFS (University of the Free State) Opening soon 1 April 2026 30 September 2026
UL (University of Limpopo) Opening soon 1 April 2026 MBChB: 30 July 2026; Others: 29 September 2026
SMU (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University) Opening soon 1 April 2026 31 July 2026
Rhodes University Open April/May 2026 Undergrad: 30 September 2026; Postgrad: 31 October 2026

WHAT ABOUT OTHERS?

The University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Mpumalanga (UMP), Sol Plaatje University (SPU), Vaal University of Tech (VUT), University of Venda, among others, either open later in 2026 or have rolling deadlines extending into early 2026.

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