Universities still open for applications.
Wondering which universities are still open for applications?
Universities normally have strict deadlines for admission to their study program. It gives them enough time to go through all the applications and choose the best candidates. This is particularly helpful for programs that are in high demand, receiving more applications than the university can accommodate.
Unfortunately, applications for 2022 admission to most programs at South African universities have already closed.
The deadline for many undergraduate courses was between 31 July and 31 September 2021. So, you just missed out.
However, there is still hope as some universities are still accepting applications!
We’ve made a detailed list of registered South African universities that are still open for applications in 2022.
We’ve also added universities that do not accept late applications and those that do not specify whether they do or don’t to this list.
Table of Contents
Universities still open for applications
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) accepts late applications for 2022 from Wednesday, 27 October 2021 – Monday, 8 November 2021. It will only be for study programmes that have available spaces. You’ll have to meet the following criteria to be eligible for CPUT late applications:
- Exhausted 1 or 2 out of your 3 application choices submitted during the normal application period
- Be a transferring student from another university
- Be a CPUT student who took a gap year in your studies
- Applying for Advanced Diploma Studies, M Tech/Master Course-based programmes, or Post Graduate Diploma programmes
Only online applications will be accepted for late applications to CPUT. If you need any help during the late application process, you can contact the university’s call centre on 086 123 2788 or 021 959 6767.
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) makes use of the Central Applications Office (CAO) for its application process. It’s a simpler way to apply for many program by using one application form and paying a single application fee. You simply click on ‘apply’, then ‘apply now’, and follow the rest of the application process.
The university does not specify whether it accepts late applications for 2022, but makes mention of a late application fee if you submit after the original deadline. You can call the institution’s call centre on 031 907 7111 or email info@mut.ac.za for enquiries on MUT late applications.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) normally considers late applications in the first week of January. This is only when spaces are still available in certain programmes. You can find more information on NMMU’s application process for 2022 here.
If you have any enquiries on NMMU late applications you can contact the university on 041 504 1111 or email info@mandela.ac.za.
Similar to many of the other universities on this list, late applications to Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) for 2022 will only be accepted if there are spaces available in your chosen programme. You will need to have met the minimum entry requirements and a late fee might be expected.
If you have any TUT late application enquiries, you can contact the university’s contact centre on 086 110 2421 or email general@tut.ac.za.
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) is accepting late applications for 2022 from 1 November – 30 November 2021. All you need is to pay a late fee of R250, meet all the minimum requirements, and add all the relevant documents to your applications.
For more information on UFH late applications, contact the university’s Alice Campus on 040 602 2011, East London Campus on 043 704 7000, or Bhisho Campus on 040 608 3403.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has a late application system called The Mobi Late Enquiry System. You can use it to inquire whether UJ still has space available in particular programmes. The system is generally open from mid to end of February, but can close earlier depending on the volume and quality of late application enquiries the university received.
No walk-ins will be allowed for 2022 UJ late application enquiries.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) usually accepts late applications if there are available spaces in certain programmes. You’ll have to pay a late fee of R400 and meet all the entrance requirements.
If you need more information on 2022 UKZN late applications, you can contact the university’s Applications and Information Office on 031 260 2212 or email enquiries@ukzn.ac.za.
The University of Pretoria (UP) generally extends its online application deadlines for BA study programmes that still have spaces available after the original deadline. This is only when UP hasn’t reached its institutional targets. If there aren’t spaces available after the original deadliness for 2022 admissions, you won’t be able to submit late applications.
You can contact UP’s Student Service Centre on 012 420 3111 or email ssc@up.ac.za if you have any admission enquiries.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) extended the application deadline for some of their programmes to 29 October 2021. Beyond this it won’t accept any late applications for 2022. So, make sure you get all your documents ready and apply as soon as possible.
If you have any application enquiries you can fill in a contact form on UWC’s website or call them on 021 959 3900.
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has a late application form that students can fill in who missed the original deadlines for admission to its study programmes. The university does not explicitly state whether VUT late applications for 2022 will be accepted.
Keep an eye on VUT’s website or contact 016 950 9356 for admission enquiries. VUT allows no walk-ins.
Universities that won’t accept late applications for 2022
Unfortunately, some universities are more strict about their deadlines than others. They do not accept any late applications beyond their original application period. So, if you want to study at the following institutions you’ll only be able to apply again when applications open for the 2023 intake.
Stellenbosch University (SU) does not consider any late applications for 2022. You needed to apply during the university’s original application period, which is normally between April – August every year. We suggest familiarising yourself with SU’s application process and minimum requirements if you plan on applying in the future.
If you need to enquire about admission and late applications, you can contact SU’s Client Service Centre on 021 808 3822 or email info@sun.ac.za.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is clear on their website that they do not accept any late applications for their 2022 study programmes. Applications for admission to all of UCT’s undergraduate programmes for 2022 closed on 31 August 2021. The university is still accepting applications for their 2022 postgraduate programmes. All research master’s and PhD applications remain open throughout the year, while most coursework master’s degrees, honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas close on 31 October 2021.
If you have any application enquiries you can contact UCT’s Admissions Office on 021 650 2128 or email admissions-ug@uct.ac.za. The university’s application period generally opens around May every year.
Unisa also does not accept any late applications for the 2022 academic period. Unisa’s undergraduate application period normally opens in August and closes in October, while some of their postgraduate applications close later in November. So, make sure you’re one of the first to apply for the next academic intake.
You can contact Unisa’s Student Assistance Service on 0800 001 870 or email enquire@unisa.ac.za for any enquiries.
The University of the Free State (UFS) does not accept any late applications for their 2022 academic intake. Here is a helpful guide on the university’s online application process if you plan on applying in the future.
If you need more information on applications you can contact UFS on 051 401 9666 or email studentadmin@ufs.ac.za.
The application period for 2022 admission to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) closed on 30 September 2021. You won’t be able to submit any late applications. There’s always next year, so start familiarising yourself with the university’s application process and its minimum requirements.
Contact Wits’ Student Call Centre on 011 717 1888 or log a query on their website if you have any admission enquiries.
Universities that do not specify whether the accept late applications for 2022
There are also many universities that don’t explicitly indicate on their websites whether they do or do not accept late applications. We’ve listed the universities that are unclear about late applications for 2022 below. If you missed their original application period and really want to study at the institution next year, we suggest visiting their website or contacting their helpdesk for more information:
Remember, late applications don’t guarantee admission into programmes
Universities are usually very strict when it comes to their application closing dates, so they won’t be as forgiving if you simply missed the deadline. They will generally only consider late applications when programmes that are in less demand have available spaces after the original application period ends. Remember, late applications don’t guarantee you a place in a study programme.
If you think you might miss the deadline for late applications, don’t fret! You can always register at a TVET College for 2022. They normally have several intakes throughout the year.
If you can’t find your chosen universities still open for applications, check out 2023 university application dates.
Fund your studies!
You may be applying late for university for a variety of reasons from only making up your mind now to different financial realities. Either way, you deserve to be able to study next year. If you have any financial needs and are looking for funding, Fundi can help!
