Students are advised to monitor application deadlines closely to avoid missing out on placement opportunities
By Mapaballo Borotho
Half of the year is almost gone, and many prospective students may already be wondering which university they will attend next year to pursue their studies.
Fortunately, several universities across South Africa have officially opened applications for the 2027 academic year.
Universities often fill up quickly due to the increasing number of applicants each year. Prospective students are therefore encouraged to apply early to secure placement and avoid the stress of late application restrictions.
Here is a list of universities currently accepting applications for the 2027 academic year:
• University of Johannesburg (UJ): Applications are free and run from 1 April 2026 until 31 October 2026.
• University of Pretoria (UP): Applications opened on 1 April 2026. Closing dates are 31 May 2026 for Veterinary Science and 30 June 2026 for all other programmes.
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Applications opened on 1 March 2026. Health Sciences and select specialised programmes close on 30 June 2026, while remaining undergraduate applications close on 30 September 2026.
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT): Applications are free and currently open, typically closing around late August or September.
• University of the Western Cape (UWC): Admissions for the 2027 intake are currently open for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Central University of Technology (CUT): Applications are open and close on 30 September 2026.
• Nelson Mandela University (NMU): Undergraduate and postgraduate applications for 2027 are officially open.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and surrounding institutions such as Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) process applications centrally through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
This list does not include all public universities, public colleges, and private institutions currently accepting applications. For more information, prospective students are encouraged to visit the Department of Higher Education’s website.
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The post Planning to study in 2027? These South African universities are already open for applications appeared first on KAYA 959.
