Applying to the University of the Free State (UFS) is an exciting step towards your future. To help you through the process, we’ve provided a detailed guide on everything you need to know.
Here’s how to apply to UFS for the 2025 academic year.
Table of Contents
2025 University of the Free State (UFS) Application Dates
UFS has specific dates for applications, so it’s crucial to keep these in mind to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines. Typically, applications open in April and close at the end of September of each year.
To help make things easier, we’ve outlined all the key application dates for 2025 to help you stay informed:
Closing date
Selection and non-selection programme
31 May 2024
- MB ChB
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Physiotherapy
- Radiation Sciences
31 July 2024
- Architecture
- Biokinetics
- Dietetics
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Sport Coaching
31 August 2024
- All Access Programmes on the South Campus and the sub-regions
- International undergraduate applications
- All non-selection programmes
- Applications from students transferring from other tertiary institutions
- Community Development (Qwaqwa Campus only)
- Construction Economics and Management (Full-time)
- Construction Management (Compact Learning)
30 September 2024
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Forensic Sciences
- Geology
- Music
- Physics with Engineering Sciences
- Quantity Surveying (Compact Learning)
- Fine Arts
Please note that the university has limited space available, so it’s important to apply early to secure your spot for the next academic year.
University of the Free State (UFS) Application Fee
Good news! There is no application fee to pay when applying to UFS. This means that students can happily apply to the university without having to worry about those extra costs.
University of the Free State (UFS) Admission Requirements
Admission to all UFS courses is based on merit, starting from the highest admission points (AP). Here’s what you need to know:
- These admission requirements apply only to first-year undergraduate studies in 2025.
- Check the faculty rulebook for the required and elective modules for your chosen programme.
- Senior students should consult the head of department, lecturers, or faculty rulebooks for admission requirements.
- Admission requirements may change without notice.
- Unless otherwise specified, you need at least a Level 4 (50%) in English Home Language or English First Additional Language.
- Pay attention to the important closing dates for selection courses. Applications for all other non-selection programs close on 30 September 2024.
Calculate Your APS Score
To get into UFS, it’s important to understand the admission requirements for the courses you’re interested in. UFS calculates your APS score using the NSC achievement scale. Here’s how it works:
- Your APS score is based on seven levels.
- Points are awarded for six academic subjects (no points for scores below 30%).
- One point is given for Life Orientation if you score 60% (Level 5) or higher.
Here’s the point breakdown for each NSC level:
NSC Level
UFS APS Points
7 (90%–100%)
8
7 (80%–89%)
7
6 (70%–79%)
6
5 (60%–69%)
5
4 (50%–59%)
4
3 (40%–49%)
3
2 (30%–39%)
2
1 (0%–29%)
0
Example Calculation:
- Five academic subjects at Level 5 (60%): 5 x 5 = 25 points
- One academic subject at Level 4 (50%): 1 x 4 = 4 points
- Life Orientation at Level 5 (60%): 1 point
Total APS Score:
25 (from five subjects) + 4 (from one subject) + 1 (Life Orientation) = 30 points
This example shows how to calculate your total APS score to determine your eligibility for UFS courses.
University of the Free State (UFS) Supporting Documents
To apply to UFS for the year 2025, you need to submit the following documents in PDF format (each file should be less than 2 MB):
- ID document: If you are a South African citizen.
- Passport: If you are an international student.
- Parent’s/guardian’s ID or passport: If you are under 18 years old.
- Final grade 11 results: Must have the school’s stamp.
- Mid-year grade 12 Results: Or equivalent.
- Grade 12 certificate: If you have already completed matric.
- Academic record: If you are currently or were previously a student at another accredited institution.
- Transfer documents: If you are transferring from another tertiary institution, include a certificate of conduct and an official study record from your previous institution.
- USAf Certificate of Exemption: Required if you do not have an Endorsed South African Senior Certificate. Apply at mb.usaf.ac.za for conditional exemption. If you are eligible but haven’t applied yet, UFS can assist you.
For more information, contact the Office for International Affairs at:
- Email: oiastudentadmin@ufs.ac.za | niemannaja@ufs.ac.za | tshabalalal@ufs.ac.za
- Phone: +27 51 401 3219 | +27 51 401 9032
- Cambridge and international students: Submit your predicted or mid-year results to oiastudentadmin@ufs.ac.za as soon as you receive them.
If you’re a South African student writing Cambridge exams, you can send your final results to schoolresults@ufs.ac.za.
International Students may send their final results to oiastudentadmin@ufs.ac.za.
Apply to UFS
Applying to UFS as a new applicant is easy. All you have to do is follow the below eight steps:
- Make sure that you meet the minimum requirements outlined by UFS.
- Ensure that you have selected your chosen programme from the list of undergraduate courses available by the university.
- Visit the UFS application page and read the information provided.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “New Application.”
- Fill in all your details on the form, including your study choices, matric results, school subjects, personal information, etc.
- Ensure that you upload all required supporting documents.
- Review your application for accuracy before submitting it.
- Complete the payment process as instructed on the portal.
Courses Available at the University of the Free State (UFS)
UFS offers a wide range of courses across its seven faculties:
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Theology and Religion
Whether you’re interested in business, science, arts, or health, UFS has a programme to suit your interests.
2025 University of the Free State (UFS) Course Fees
It’s important to note that fees at UFS vary depending on the course and year of study. Don’t worry though, we’ve got the latest fees schedule for UFS outlined below. Let’s take a look at the estimated 2025 course fees for UFS:
Faculty
Annual Fee
Humanities
+-R40,090 to +-R53,810
Education
+-R24,820 to R48,030
Health Sciences
+-R49,420 to +-R69,130
Economic and Management Sciences
+-R40,520 to +-R64,780
Law
+-R41,810
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
+-R40,910 to +-R71,170
Theology and Religion
+-R41,710 to +-R47,790
You can view the full list of courses and fees for UFS by clicking on the button below.
Funding Options for the University of the Free State (UFS)
When it comes to funding your studies at UFS, there are a couple of options that you can choose from, each with their own requirements and eligibility:
NSFAS
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme that offers funding to high-achieving individuals with a low income. The main goal of NSFAS is to assist South African students who are struggling financially to pay for their studies so that they can attend the academic institution of their choice.
Curious to know if you qualify for NSFAS? Find the answer in our article, 10 FAQs About Applying to NSFAS.
Sundry Bursaries
UFS has several sundry bursaries funded by sponsors and institutions. These include:
- Christine Ferreira Bursary: Available to needy descendants of Chief Commandant I.S. Ferreira from De Stadesfontein, Ladybrand district.
- EG Pelzer Bursary Fund: Only for students from the Northern Cape region.
- Dr. Edward (“Tiffy”) King Bursary: For full-time enrolled postgraduate Law students at UFS.
- Model High School Bursary Fund: Preference for former pupils of Model High and Primary School, then pupils from Bloemfontein.
- JC Steyn Bursary: Two bursaries awarded by the Faculty of Humanities, Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, to undergraduates with a good academic record.
- Johan Badenhorst Memorial Bursary: Candidates must be recommended by Heads of Departments. Open to doctoral, post-doctoral, and master’s degree students.
- JF Havenga Bursary: Preference given to descendants of Mr. Havenga’s family and his wife’s family, in specific order.
- National Women’s Council of South Africa (Bloemfontein branch): Application forms available at the Dean of Students, UFS.
- Pieter and Florrie du Preez Bursary: For descendants of the late PJJ and FJ du Preez.
- United Transport and Allied Union Bursary: For children of association members.
- Visser-Neser Bursary Fund: Funded by TC Visser and RC Visser for relatives and students from specified high and primary schools.
- Five or More Children at UFS Bursary: For parents with four or more children studying simultaneously at UFS.
- Willie Scheepers Bursaries: Preference for descendants of W.T.D. Scheepers and his wife. Applicants must be registered at UFS.
- Undergraduate Bursary of the South African Society for Food Science and Technology: Awarded on recommendation of the Department of Food Science.
- Kovsie Alumni Trust Bursary: Criteria available from the Kovsie Alumni Trust Bursary Fund.
Students who would like to apply for any of the above bursaries will need to send in their applications before 15 December 2024. You can get application forms from Juanita Buitendag in room S014 at the George du Toit Administration Building. Email Juanita at BuitendagJ@ufs.ac.za.
Fund Your Studies at UFS with Fundi
If you’ve been accepted to study at the University of the Free State (UFS) and are in need of funding, look no further. Fundi offers funding in the form of a study loan to students starting in 2025. With a Fundi study loan, you can help pay for textbooks, tuition, study devices and more.
Be sure to try out our Fundi student loan calculator to see if you qualify and embark on your dream of studying at UFS.
