Don’t miss one

Dates that matter

When applications close, when you can write the NBT, when NSFAS closes and when universities open their doors.

Read this first

These are dates for the 2027 intake (you apply during Grade 12 in 2026). Most have already passed. The 2028 dates have not been published, and we won’t guess them – check each university from early next year. Still-open dates are at the top below.

Dates we couldn’t pin down

  • Date not confirmed

    Applications VUT – Applications close - SOURCES DISAGREE

    VUT’s how-to-apply page says 30 October 2026 but its homepage banner says 30 September 2026. Ask VUT before relying on either.

    Could not be confirmed vut.ac.za (opens the official page)

  • Date not confirmed

    NBT NBT sittings run from May until the first Saturday in January

    Everyone who needs the NBT

    You book a specific date and venue on the NBT website; changes are allowed until that sitting’s closing date. Each university sets its own deadline for receiving results - these can be as early as June or July.

    Checked on an official page nbt.ac.za (opens the official page)

Open days: what’s next?

Open days are on a Saturday in March–May at most universities. Only some have announced 2027 dates.

Checked on an official page UCT – 10 April 2027 · Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners, families and teachers; on campus uct.ac.za (opens the official page)

From our research - not re-checked yet SU – 17 April 2027 (08:00-15:00) · Undergraduate, on campus su.ac.za (opens the official page)

Not announced yet when we checked: Wits, UP, UKZN, UJ, UWC, NWU, UFS. Their 2026 events have passed (show past dates above to see them). Follow the links below for the next announcement.

General tip, not from an official source

Many universities also run campus tours and online sessions outside the main open day. Ask the university’s recruitment or schools-liaison office.

What does applying cost?

Some universities charge nothing. Never pay anyone to “secure” your application.

UniversityApplication feeHow sure?
University of the WitwatersrandR100 Checked on an official page wits.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of Cape TownR100 (South Africa/SADC) – free for UCT students and graduates Checked on an official page uct.ac.za (opens the official page)
Stellenbosch UniversityR100 (South African citizens, permanent residents, refugees) From our research - not re-checked yet sun.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of PretoriaR300 – waived if household income is R150,000/year or less From our research - not re-checked yet up.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of the Free StateFree Checked on an official page apply.ufs.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of KwaZulu-NatalR250 (paid to the CAO, non-refundable) Checked on an official page studyatukzn.ukzn.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of JohannesburgFree when you apply online (a fee applies to paper applications) From our research - not re-checked yet uj.ac.za (opens the official page)
Central University of TechnologyFree From our research - not re-checked yet cut.ac.za (opens the official page)
Tshwane University of TechnologyR240 From our research - not re-checked yet tut.ac.za (opens the official page)
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityR300 From our research - not re-checked yet smu.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of LimpopoR200 From our research - not re-checked yet ul.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of MpumalangaR200 From our research - not re-checked yet ump.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of VendaFree Checked on an official page univen.ac.za (opens the official page)
University of Fort HareR120 From our research - not re-checked yet ufh.ac.za (opens the official page)
Walter Sisulu UniversityR100 From our research - not re-checked yet wsu.ac.za (opens the official page)

Only universities where we found a fee are listed. For the rest, check the application page.