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!
Table of Contents
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.