University application dates for 2025 academic year: Get the full list
If you are considering pursuing higher education, you need an update on the application dates of the institution you are interested in. This will help you plan and decide before missing the date of your preferred institution. To help you out, here are all the important university application dates for 2025.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- University application dates for 2025
- 1. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- 2. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- 3. North-West University (NWU)
- 4. University of the Free State (UFS)
- 5. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- 6. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- 7. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- 8. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- 9. University of Pretoria
- 10. University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
- 11. Stellenbosch University
- 12. Sefako Makgatho University
- 13. Rhodes University
- 14. Sol Plaatje University
- Is UCT open for 2026 applications?
- When can you start applying for university in 2025?
- What time do university applications close?
- Which colleges are still open for 2025?
- Is VUT open for 2025 applications for undergraduate studies?
- Is SMU still open for applications?
Key takeaways
- If you are looking forward to enrolling in an institution of higher learning, you must be aware of the university application dates for 2025.
- The application opening and closing dates from one university to another.
- Applying early increases your chances of university admission, but only if you meet the entry criteria.
University application dates for 2025
This article will provide insights into the university application dates for 2025 in South Africa. That way, you will be updated on when to apply for the next intake.
It will also help you evaluate whether institutions accept late applications. Here are a few of the universities open for applications.
1. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
The Nelson Mandela University online application in 2025 for the 2026 intake for undergraduate and postgraduate courses is ongoing. The application portal opened in April 2025.
Students are advised to apply online and ensure that they submit all their supporting documents online before the deadlines. The NMU application closing dates are explored in the table below.
| Dates | Category |
| April 2025 | Official application opening date |
| 30 June 2025 | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), & Bachelor of Radiography (BRad) |
| 01 August 2025 | Early applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad) |
| 30 September 2025 | Late applications (excluding MBChB, BPharm & BRad) |
| 30 September 2025 | International student applications |
| 30 September 2025 | All student housing applications |
2. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
The University of Fort Hare application opening date is set for 1 June 2025 for undergraduate programmes. The application closing date will be 31 October 2025. Applications for postgraduate courses are open.
3. North-West University (NWU)
The North-West University application process opened on 2 April 2025. The university does not charge any application fees.
Applicants seeking admission at NWU can begin to process their applications for enrollment in various fields of study such as Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Theology.
The application closing date for selection courses is 30 June 2025. Applications for all non-selection courses and residence applications will be on 31 August 2025.
4. University of the Free State (UFS)
University applications for 2026 for undergraduate studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) are ongoing as of 17 April 2024. The portal opened on 1 April 2025.
Each student must complete the online application. Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number). UFS application dates for undergraduate courses are as follows:
- Opening date: 1 April 2025
- Closing date for MB ChB, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physiotherapy, Radiation Science, Biokinetics, Dietetics, and Sports Coaching: 31 May 2025
- Closing date for Nursing, Social Work, and Architecture: 31 July 2025
- Closing date for all international undergraduate applications: 31 August 2025
- Closing date for transferring students from other tertiary institutions and all other selection and non-selection programmes: 30 September 2025
5. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a sought-after institution. UJ online applications in 2025 opened on 1 April 2025 for undergraduate students and are projected to close on 31 October 2025.
All applicants are urged not to send cash via mail or entrust documents and cash to unauthorised individuals. Note that the closing dates may vary by course, as explored in the table below.
| Application closing date | Course(s) |
| 30 September 2025 | BA Hons in PsychologyBSc Hons in PsychologyPost Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)AdvDip in Business ManagementBA Hons in Human Resource ManagementBA Hons in Industrial PsychologyBCom Hons in Financial PlanningBCom Hons in Human Resource ManagementBCom Hons in Industrial PsychologyBCom Hons in Information SystemsBCom Hons in Investment ManagementBCom Hons in Marketing ManagementBCom Hons in Strategic ManagementBCom Hons in Property Valuation and ManagementBCom Hons in Quantitative FinanceMasters of Sustainability ManagementMCom in Accounting (RD)MCom in Auditing (RD)MCom in Computer Auditing (CW) – (if offered)MCom in Finance (CW)MCom in Financial Management (RD)MCom in International Accounting (CW) – (if offered)MCom in Investment Management (RD)MCom/MPhil in Industrial PsychologyMCom in SA & International Taxation (CW) – (if offered)MCom in SA & International Taxation (RD)MCom in Quantitative Finance (RD)PhD in AccountingPhD in Accounting with specialisation in Accounting and FinancePhD in AuditingPhD in FinancePhD in Industrial PsychologyPhD in Taxation |
| 13 June 2025 | MA (Clinical Psychology)MA (Counselling Psychology) |
| 23 June 2025 | MEd Educational Psychology |
| 30 September 2025 | MEng/Mphil in Engineering Management (Coursework) |
6. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
The 2025 application period at UWC began on 2 April 2025 and is projected to end on 30 September 2025. Applicants must have a valid email address in order to apply online. No application fee is required.
7. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Those who wish to enrol in UKZN's undergraduate courses should take note of the following dates. New UKZN applications for the 2026 academic period opened on 1 March 2025 and will close on 30 September 2025 for all programmes.
Note that late applications are usually accepted after the closing date, but you will have to pay a late application fee.
8. University of Cape Town (UCT)
University of Cape Town application opening dates and closing dates for various programmes are as follows:
| Date | Details |
| 1 April 2025 | Applications for admission to all programmes |
| 31 July 2025 | All undergraduate applications close. Late applications will not be accepted |
| 31 August 2025 | Closing date for undergraduate programme changes |
| 30 September 2025 | Proof of English language proficiency is due |
| 4 October 2025 | The final date to write the NBTs for admission to UCT |
| 31 October 2025 | For applicants finishing secondary school in 2025, all grade 12 interim results, or predicted scores in the case of non-NSC candidates, are due.Interim and past transcripts for transferring applicants are due. |
| 15 November 2025 | Deadline for international applicants to attract an offer of admission |
Students are advised to take advantage of this period to apply online to increase their chances of securing a chance in the institution.
9. University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria's online applications for 2025 opened on 1 April 2025 and are set to close on 30 June 2025. Note that applications for veterinary science will close on 31 May 2025.
10. University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
Wits application dates for 2025 for undergraduate programmes will open in May 2025. The official Wits closing dates for 2025 applications will be as follows.
| Date | Category |
| 30 June 2025 | Faculty of Health Sciences (all programmes); Bachelor of Architectural Studies; Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology; BA Film and TV |
| 30 September 2025 | All other university programmes |
| 30 September 2025 | Residence applications |
11. Stellenbosch University
Here are the Stellenbosch University application opening and closing dates in 2025.
| Date | Category |
| 1 April 2025 | Applications open for undergraduate programmes |
| 31 July 2025 | Closing date for undergraduate programmes and residence applications |
| 1 October 2025 | Applications open for financial assistance at Stellenbosch University |
| 31 October 2025 | Applications close for Stellenbosch University financial assistance |
| 26 January 2026 | Applications close for Diplomas in Public Accountability (School of Public Leadership ) |
12. Sefako Makgatho University
The SMU application process for 2025 officially opened on 1 April 2025 and the closing dates are as follows:
| Dates | Category |
| 31 July 2025 | Undergraduate programmes and MSc (Clinical Psychology) |
| 29 August 2025 | Postgraduate programmes (except PhDs and Master's by research) |
13. Rhodes University
Rhodes University is one of the best public research universities in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province. The university was established in 1904. The opening date for Rhodes applications will be 1 May 2025 and the closing date will be 30 September 2025.
14. Sol Plaatje University
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is committed to providing quality education and professional development opportunities that cater to the unique needs, competence, and characteristics of its community. Sol Plaatje University online applications in 2025 are open as of April 2025 for the 2026 intake. The closing date will be 30 November 2025.
Is UCT open for 2026 applications?
Yes, applications for admission to all programmes opened on 1 April 2025. All undergraduate applications close on 31 July 2025.
When can you start applying for university in 2025?
You can start applying for university in 2025 as most universities have opened their application portal. Some universities may allow applications as early as April 2024 and closing dates can vary.
What time do university applications close?
The application deadline for many universities will be within the second half of 2025. It is always a good idea to check application deadlines well in advance and plan accordingly.
Which colleges are still open for 2025?
Many colleges in SA are currently accepting applications. It is prudent to visit your preferred college's website to confirm the application opening and closing dates.
Is VUT open for 2025 applications for undergraduate studies?
Vaal University of Technology closed applications for 2025 in 2024. VUT typically opens its application window for the following academic year in May and closes in September.
Is SMU still open for applications?
The SMU application process for 2025 officially opened on 1 April 2025 and the closing date for undergraduate students will be 31 July 2025.
By now, you must have seen the pattern in the important dates for most of the institutions in South Africa. The above-detailed list of university application dates for 2025 will help you make your application on time.
Briefly.co.za recently published a list of the top universities with no application fee in South Africa. Applying for higher education is a big step in life, and sending in university applications can be a daunting experience for many young people who have limited financial resources.
Most national universities ask for non-refundable application fees. Even so, some institutions do not attract any application fees.
Source: Briefly News
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