How to Apply to University in South Africa (2027 Intake)

Apply Using Your Grade 11 Results

You don't need to wait for your final matric results before applying. Most universities accept applications based on Grade 11 final results or Grade 12 mid-year results, and this is the norm for the 2027 intake. Conditional offers are then confirmed once your final NSC results are released in January 2027.

Applying with Grade 11 results isn't just allowed. It's strongly recommended. Universities begin reviewing applications as they arrive, and competitive programmes can fill up before the general closing date. Getting your application in early genuinely improves your chances.

Deadlines Are Different for Each Programme

This is where many students get caught out. A university might have a general closing date in September or October, but the same university's Medicine, Engineering or Law programme might close in June or July. Always check the specific closing date for your chosen programme, not just the general institutional deadline. Our guide to 2027 university application dates has a full breakdown by university.

Step 1: Calculate Your APS

Your Admission Point Score, or APS, is how universities measure whether you meet the minimum requirements for a specific programme. Every university in South Africa uses some version of an APS calculation, though the method varies slightly between institutions.

The standard way to calculate your APS is to convert each of your subject marks into points on a scale of 1 to 7, based on percentage bands:

Most universities count six subjects in your APS calculation, excluding Life Orientation. Your total APS is the sum of your points across those six subjects, giving a maximum of 42.

As a general guide, a degree in Humanities or Education typically requires an APS of around 20 to 26. Commerce and Business degrees generally fall between 26 and 32. Engineering and Health Sciences sit between 30 and 38, and Medicine typically requires 36 or higher. That said, these are general ranges only. Always check the specific APS minimum for your programme at your chosen university, since requirements vary significantly between institutions and can change year to year.

Use our free APS Score Calculator to work out your score instantly, or read our full guide on how to calculate your APS score if you want to understand exactly how it works. If you're not sure which programmes your marks open up, FundiConnect's career guidance hub can help you map out your options.

Step 2: Choose Your Universities and Programmes

South Africa's universities fall into three broad categories: traditional universities (like UCT, Wits and Stellenbosch), universities of technology (like TUT, CPUT and DUT) and comprehensive universities (like UNISA and UJ, which offer both). Each has a different academic character, so it's worth understanding the differences before you commit to a first choice.

Apply to more than one university. The standard advice is to apply to at least three to five institutions, spreading your choices across your preferred option, a realistic target and a more attainable backup. Even strong students sometimes miss their first-choice programme due to limited places, and having multiple active applications keeps your options open.

Each university also has a prospectus, which lists every programme it offers, the specific subject requirements (not just the APS total), and important application details. Most prospectuses are available as PDF downloads on the university's official website, and it's worth reading the relevant pages before you apply. Checking the prospectus helps you avoid the common mistake of applying for a programme you technically don't qualify for.

If your marks aren't where you need them to be, it's worth knowing that options exist. You can look into upgrading your matric results to improve your APS, or explore universities that offer bridging courses as an alternative route into your chosen degree.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Having your documents ready before you start your application will make the process much smoother. Most universities require the following:

• A certified copy of your South African ID

• Your most recent school results (Grade 11 final or Grade 12 mid-year)

• Proof of residence

• Proof of application fee payment, where applicable

Documents must be certified within the last three months by a Commissioner of Oaths, a Notary Public, or at your local SAPS station. This is a detail that catches people out regularly, so check the date on your certification before you upload.

Some programmes require additional items. Architecture, Fine Art and Design programmes may ask for a portfolio of work. Drama and Music may require an audition. Some Medical and Social Work programmes require a motivation letter or interview. Check your specific programme's requirements in the prospectus well before the closing date, since these additional components take time to prepare.

If you're an international applicant, you'll also need a Universities South Africa (USAf) Certificate of Exemption if you don't hold a South African NSC, along with a certified copy of your passport and a study visa where applicable.

Step 4: Apply Directly or Through the CAO?

This depends on where you want to study.

Applying Directly

Most South African universities require direct applications through their own online admissions portals. This includes UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UJ, UWC, Univen, UFS, NWU, UL, NMU, SMU, WSU, Rhodes, VUT, TUT, CPUT and UNISA. Each university has a separate account, login and process, so you'll need to manage multiple applications independently.

FundiConnect has step-by-step application guides for several universities to make this easier:

• How to apply to UCT

• How to apply to Stellenbosch University (Maties)

• How to apply to Rhodes University

• How to apply to DUT

Applying Through the CAO

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a centralised system used primarily in KwaZulu-Natal. Through a single application and a single fee, you can apply to up to six programmes across UKZN, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), as well as several private colleges in KZN.

FundiConnect has a dedicated guide on the 2027 CAO application process that walks you through every step.

The on-time CAO administration fee for South African citizens is R250, rising to R470 for late applications submitted after 31 October 2026. International applicants pay R300 on time and R580 if late. If you change or reorder your programme choices after submitting, a change-of-mind fee of R140 applies.

Step 5: Do You Need to Write the NBT?

Some universities, including UCT, Stellenbosch and Wits, require applicants to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) as part of their application. The NBT measures academic literacy, quantitative literacy and mathematics skills, and it's separate from your matric results.

Not every programme at these universities requires the NBT, but competitive programmes and faculties like Health Sciences, Engineering and the Built Environment often do. Check your chosen programme's requirements early, because NBT test dates book up quickly and the tests need to be written before specified deadlines. For Stellenbosch's 2027 intake, for example, online school applicants must write the NBT before the end of September 2026.

FundiConnect has a full breakdown of NBT dates for 2026 and an ultimate guide to the NBT that explains what the test covers, how results are used, and how to prepare. You can also read our explainer on what the National Benchmark Test is and what you need to know before you register.

Step 6: Apply for Residence

University residences in South Africa are competitive, and the application process runs separately from your academic application. Most universities open residence applications at the same time as academic applications, and places are allocated based on a mix of academic merit, financial need and distance from home.

Don't wait until after you've received an academic offer to start your residence application. By then, many places will already be taken. Apply for residence in parallel with your academic application, as soon as the portal opens.

If on-campus accommodation isn't available or affordable, most universities also accredit private student accommodation nearby. NSFAS funding can cover NSFAS-accredited private accommodation for eligible students.

Step 7: Apply for Funding

University applications and funding applications are completely separate processes with different deadlines. Submitting a university application does not automatically trigger a funding application. You need to apply for each one independently.

NSFAS

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is South Africa's government-funded bursary programme for students from lower-income households. NSFAS can cover tuition fees, accommodation, meals, transport and a personal care allowance. Importantly, if you pass all your modules, the NSFAS loan converts into a bursary, meaning you don't have to repay it.

To qualify, your combined household income must be R350,000 or less per year (R600,000 for students with disabilities or from SASSA-grant households). NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year are expected to open in September 2026 and close in November 2026. You'll need a confirmed university application or acceptance reference number before NSFAS can finalise your funding, so your university application always needs to come first.

Read FundiConnect's 10 most common NSFAS FAQs for a clear breakdown of the eligibility criteria, allowances covered and what to expect from the application process.

Bursaries

Many universities, government departments, professional bodies and private companies offer bursaries for students in specific fields. These often come with earlier closing dates than NSFAS, so it's worth researching and applying for bursaries alongside, or even before, your university application. FundiConnect's bursaries for 2027 page is updated regularly and lists opportunities across fields and provinces.

If you're planning to go into teaching, also check out the Funza Lushaka Bursary, which covers the full cost of teacher training in exchange for a commitment to teach at a public school after graduating. It typically closes in early February, so apply well ahead of time.

Fundi Study Loans

For students who don't qualify for NSFAS or who need support beyond what NSFAS covers, Fundi offers study loans that can cover tuition, accommodation, study devices and other education-related costs. Visit the Fundi website to find out more and apply.

Step 8: Track Your Application

After submitting, you'll receive a reference number. Keep it. Most universities give you access to an applicant portal where you can track your application status, upload additional documents as they become available, and receive communications about your offer.

Check your portal at least once a week during the application cycle. Universities sometimes request additional documents or information, and missing that communication can delay or derail your application. Also make sure the email address and phone number you provided are ones you actually check regularly, since conditional offers and status updates are sent there.

If you applied through the CAO, you can track your status by logging into your account at www.cao.ac.za.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Missing a closing date is not necessarily the end of the road, but your options become much more limited.

Some universities, including UJ, Wits, TUT and DUT, do consider late applications, usually at a higher fee and only for programmes where spaces are still available. It's always worth contacting the admissions office directly to ask.

If you find yourself without a placement when final matric results drop in January 2027, the Central Application Service (CAS) operates a WhatsApp line at 081 308 4196 that can help match you with available spots at universities and TVET colleges across the country. It's not a guarantee of placement, but it's a lifeline for students who've run out of other options.

UNISA is also worth knowing about in this context. As a distance-learning institution, UNISA operates on a different cycle entirely. Its main application window for Semester 1 (January intake) opens in August/September 2026, making it one of the last universities to open and therefore an option for students who missed earlier direct-application deadlines.

If the TVET route is something you'd consider, our Top 10 TVET Colleges to Apply to in 2027 guide has everything you need to explore that path.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming the general deadline applies to your programme. It often doesn't. Medicine, Physiotherapy, Law and Engineering can close months before the rest of the university. Check the programme-specific date.

Uploading uncertified documents. Many applications are rejected or delayed because documents weren't certified, or because the certification was older than three months. Sort this out before you upload.

Applying to only one institution. Even if you're a strong student, limited places and high competition mean a single application is a risk. Apply to at least three to five institutions.

Forgetting to apply for funding separately. NSFAS, bursaries and study loans all have their own applications, their own deadlines and their own requirements. Don't assume your university application covers any of them.

Ignoring your applicant portal after submitting. Your application isn't done the moment you click submit. Universities may request additional documents or information. Stay on top of your portal.

FAQs About Applying to University in South Africa

Can I apply with "bad" Grade 11 results?

You can apply, but your results will affect which programmes you're eligible for. If your marks aren't where you need them to be, it's worth looking at upgrading your matric results or exploring bridging courses. FundiConnect's career guidance hub can also help you think through alternative routes.

How many universities can I apply to?

There's no official limit for direct applications. You can apply to as many universities as you're willing to pay application fees for. Through the CAO, you can apply to up to six programmes across the participating KZN institutions with a single fee.

What if I don't get in anywhere?

Contact the CAS WhatsApp service at 081 308 4196 for late placement assistance. Also consider TVET colleges, which offer strong vocational qualifications and are often a faster route to employment in specific fields.

Do I need to write the NBT?

Only at universities that require it, and only for specific programmes. UCT, Stellenbosch and Wits are the most prominent. Check the FundiConnect NBT guide and your chosen programme's requirements on the university's official website or in the prospectus.

When do NSFAS applications open for 2027?

NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year are expected to open in September 2026 and close in November 2026. Read our NSFAS FAQs guide for everything you need to know before you apply.

Fund Your Studies With Fundi

Getting into university is one thing. Covering the cost of it is another.

Fundi is South Africa's leading education finance provider, and has been helping students fund their studies since 1996. Whether you need help covering tuition, accommodation or textbooks, you can apply for a Fundi study loan that's designed to cover the full cost of your education, not just part of it. If you're not sure what you can afford yet, use the Fundi loan calculator to work out your estimated monthly repayments before you apply. And if you need a laptop or tablet to study, the Fundi Shop lets you finance a device alongside your studies so you have everything you need from day one.

Applying is straightforward. Visit fundi.co.za, complete the online form, and a Fundi representative will walk you through the next steps.