How to Apply to South African Universities for 2027 After Application Deadlines Have Passed

This guide is for prospective students in South Africa who are still looking to apply for university for the 2027 academic year. It will help you understand which universities have already closed their applications and what steps you can take if you’ve missed a deadline. Before you begin, ensure you have a list of programs you are interested in and know your academic results.

Step 1: Understand Application Closing Dates

The first step is to recognize that university application closing dates are not standardized across South Africa and many have already passed for the 2027 academic year. Some universities closed applications as early as May, June, or July 2026, while others had a general deadline of September 30, 2026. It’s crucial to check the specific dates for each institution you are interested in.

Key takeaway: Do not assume applications are still open just because the academic year hasn’t started.

Mistake to avoid: Relying on a general understanding of closing dates without verifying the exact deadline for your desired program and university.

Step 2: Identify Universities with Early Closing Dates

Many major South African universities had undergraduate application deadlines on or before September 30, 2026. It’s important to know which ones these are so you don’t waste time checking them.

Use a table to clearly show universities and their key closing dates:

University Name	Main 2027 Undergraduate Closing Date	Important Notes
University of Pretoria (UP)	June 30, 2026	Veterinary Science closed May 31
North-West University (NWU)	August 31, 2026	Selection programs closed June 30
University of Cape Town (UCT)	July 31, 2026	No late undergraduate applications
Stellenbosch University (SU)	July 31, 2026	Undergraduate application deadline
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)	July 31, 2026	Postgraduate applications closed Aug 31
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)	September 30, 2026	Several selection programs closed June 30
University of the Free State (UFS)	September 30, 2026	Some programs closed earlier
University of Limpopo (UL)	September 30, 2026	Medicine and international applications closed July 30
University of Venda (UNIVEN)	September 30, 2026	Main undergraduate deadline
University of the Western Cape (UWC)	September 30, 2026	Dentistry and Oral Health closed Aug 31
Central University of Technology (CUT)	September 30, 2026	No late or walk-in applications
Rhodes University	September 30, 2026	Late SA applications may be considered at Registrar’s discretion

Expected Outcome: You will have a clear overview of which universities have definitively closed their general undergraduate applications for 2027.

Mistake to avoid: Assuming that the ‘main’ deadline applies to all programs within a university. Always check program-specific dates.

Step 3: Check Universities with Later Closing Dates

While many universities closed applications by September 30, 2026, not all of them did. Some institutions have later deadlines, and it’s important to identify these as potential options.

Examples of universities with later deadlines:

• University of Johannesburg (UJ), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Vaal University of Technology (VUT): Check their specific program deadlines as they may differ.
• Walter Sisulu University (WSU): General closing date for South African applicants is October 31, 2026, while international applications closed September 30, 2026.
• University of Mpumalanga (UMP): Undergraduate and Advanced Diploma applications close November 30, 2026. Honours, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s, and Doctoral programs close January 30, 2027.

Expected Outcome: You will have a list of universities that may still be accepting applications for 2027.

Mistake to avoid: Giving up on your university application journey because you missed the deadline for a few institutions. There might still be other options available.

Step 4: Investigate Specific Program Deadlines and Special Cases

It’s vital to understand that general undergraduate deadlines are not the only ones to consider. Many universities have different closing dates for specific programs, postgraduate studies, international applicants, and residence applications.

Sub-steps to follow:

• Program-Specific Deadlines: Always check the exact closing date for the specific course or degree you wish to study. For example, the University of Limpopo’s MBChB (Medicine) and international applications closed on July 30, 2026, earlier than their general September 30 deadline.
• Postgraduate Applications: These often have different closing dates. For instance, SMU’s postgraduate applications closed on August 31, 2026.
• International Applicants: Deadlines for international students can vary significantly and may be earlier than for domestic students.
• Residence Applications: These are often separate from academic applications and have their own deadlines, such as NWU’s residence application deadline of August 31, 2026.
• Selection Programs: Highly competitive programs, like those in Health Sciences at Wits or Veterinary Science at UP, typically have much earlier deadlines.

Expected Outcome: You will have a precise understanding of the application timelines for your chosen programs and any special considerations.

Mistake to avoid: Assuming that a university’s general undergraduate deadline applies to all its offerings. This can lead to missing out on specific programs with earlier closing dates.

Step 5: Understand Late Application Policies

The possibility of applying after a university’s official closing date varies greatly. Some universities strictly do not accept late applications, while others may consider them under specific circumstances.

Key points to note:

• No Late Applications: Universities like UCT and CUT explicitly state that they do not consider applications received after the deadline, and there are no late or walk-in applications.
• Registrar’s Discretion: Rhodes University mentions that late applications from South African applicants may be considered at the discretion of the Registrar. This means it’s not guaranteed.
• Programme Reopening: Some universities might reopen applications for specific programs if spaces remain available, but this is not common and should not be relied upon.

Expected Outcome: You will know which universities strictly enforce their deadlines and which might offer a slim possibility for late applications, and understand that it’s never guaranteed.

Mistake to avoid: Assuming that because one university might consider late applications, all universities will. Always check the official policy for each institution.

Step 6: Be Wary of Scams

The period after university application deadlines is unfortunately a prime time for scams. Be extremely cautious of anyone offering to secure you a place through unofficial means.

Red flags to watch out for:

• Offers to submit a ‘secret’ late application.
• Guarantees of university admission or changing an unsuccessful application to accepted.
• Claims of securing a place through a university employee.
• Offers to sell admission letters or secure residence accommodation.
• Promises to reopen closed programs.

Action to take: Always use official university websites and application portals. Legitimate applications follow the institution’s published admissions process. Do not pay anyone who makes extraordinary promises.

Expected Outcome: You will be equipped to identify and avoid fraudulent offers related to university applications.

Mistake to avoid: Falling for promises of guaranteed admission or special treatment from unofficial sources, especially when you’ve missed the official deadline.

Step 7: Explore Alternative Options

If you have missed the application deadlines for your preferred universities, it’s important not to give up. There are still steps you can take to pursue your tertiary education goals for 2027.

Next steps to consider:

• Check Universities Still Accepting Applications: Focus your efforts on institutions that still have open application periods for 2027, such as the University of Mpumalanga or Walter Sisulu University, and check their specific program deadlines.
• Monitor Official Late Application Announcements: Keep a close eye on the official websites of universities you are interested in for any legitimate announcements regarding late applications or available spaces.
• Consider Central Applications Clearing House (CACH): If available and applicable in your region, explore official placement services like CACH, which can help match students with available university spaces.
• Look for Specific Programs with Available Spaces: Some universities might announce if specific programs still have capacity after the main deadline.
• Investigate UNISA: The University of South Africa (UNISA) often has different application cycles and may still be accepting applications. Check their specific 2027 application calendar.

Expected Outcome: You will have a clear plan of action for finding alternative university or study opportunities for 2027, even after missing initial deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions