Universities That Are Open For 2025 Applications In South Africa
Are you in Matric? Looking to study further in 2025? Institutions of higher learning applications start opening from May 2025 to study in 2025.
Each college and university has its own application dates and due to Covid-19 this may change, however, the majority of applications for 2025 are opening in May 2025.
Universities that Open Applications for 2025 in South Africa
If you want to study next year in South Africa, you need to start by applying. The key is to find out the 2025 institution application dates.
Applying for tertiary studies can be challenging to find out the details you need. From finding out the application dates to collecting all of the documents required. To help you on the way we have collected all of the South African tertiary institution application dates for 2025.
NB: Application dates may vary and/or change due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Institutions reserve the right to change these dates. Confirmation should be sought from the appropriate institution for the dates as these may have changed from the time of publication of this article.
List of Universities and Tvet Colleges that Open Application 2025
1. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Applications Open:Â 5 August 2025
- Applications Close:Â 30 September 2025
- MBChB applications:Â 31 May 2025Â (NBT results must be available on or before the 31st of July 2025).
- Early applications (excluding MBChB):Â 5 August 2025
- Late applications (excluding MBChB):Â 30 September 2025
- International student applications (excluding MBChB):Â 30 September 2025
- Student Housing applications:Â 30 September 2025
Click Here to Apply Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Application online
2. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- Applications Open:Â July/August 2025 (Still TBC by UFH)
- Applications Close:Â November/December 2025 (Still TBC by UFH)
Click Here to Apply University of Fort Hare (UFH) Application online
3. University of Pretoria (TUKS)
- Applications Open:Â Â 01 May 2025
Applications Close:
Faculty specific.Â
Click Here to Apply University of Pretoria Application online
Check out the closing dates for specific programmes.
4. North West University (NWU)
- Applications Open:Â 01 June 2025
Applications Close:
Faculty specific.Â
Click Here to Apply North West University (NWU) Application online
Check out the closing dates for specific programmes.
5. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Applications Open:Â Dates not released by institution yet
- Applications Close:Â Dates not released by institution yet
Click Here to Apply University of South Africa (UNISA) Application online
6. University of The Free State (UFS)
- Applications Open:Â 01 April
Applications Close:
31 May 2025Â (Health Sciences programmes apart from Nursing)
31 July 2025Â (Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Nursing)
30 September 2025Â (all non-selection programmes)
1 November 2025 (Fine Arts)
Click Here to Apply University of the Free State (UFS) Application online
7. Rhodes University
- Applications Open:Â March 2025
Applications Close:
- 31 July 2025 (Undergraduates)
- 31 October 2025 (Postgraduates)
Click Here to Apply Rhodes University Application online
8. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- Applications Open:Â May 2025
Applications Close:Â
- 28 September 2025 (Health Sciences faculty)
- 31 October 2025 (Other faculties)
Click Here to Apply Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Application online
9. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Applications Open:Â 1 April 2025
Applications Close:
- 30 November 2025Â (Undergraduates)
- 15 December 2025 (Post-graduates & Honours)
Click Here to Apply University of Johannesburg (UJ) Application online
10. University of The Western Cape (UWC)
- Applications Open:Â Â 15Â May 2025
Applications Close:
- Bachelor of Dentisty and Bachelor of Oral Health: 31 August 2025
- All other faculty programmes: 30 September 2025
Click Here to Apply University of the Western Cape (UWC) Application online
11. University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Applications Open:Â 01 April 2025Â
- Applications Close: November 2025
Faculty specific dates may apply.Â
Click Here to Apply University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Application online
12. University of Witwatersrand (WITS)
- Applications Open:Â 01 April 2025
- Applications Close: 30 June 2025Â (Faculty of Health Sciences; Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology, Bachelor of Arts in Film and TV)
- 30 September 2025Â (all other programmes, residence applications)
Click Here to Apply University of Witwatersrand (Wits) Application online
13. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Applications Open:Â Â 01 May 2025
- Applications Close:Â 31 August 2025
Click Here to Apply University of Cape Town (UCT) Application online
14. University of Limpopo (UL)
- Applications Open:Â 01Â April 2025
- Applications Close:Â 30 September 2025
Click Here to Apply University of Limpopo (UL) Application online
15. University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- Applications Open:Â May 2025
- Applications Close:Â 27 September 2025
Click Here to Apply University of Venda (UniVen) Application online
16. University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
- Applications Open:Â 01 April 2025
- Applications Close: 06 November 2025
Click Here to Apply University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Application online
17. Stellenbosch University
- Applications Open:Â 06 April 2025
- Applications Close: 31 July 2025 (Undergraduates, residence applications) 01 August 2025Â (Financial Assistance)
Click Here to Apply Stellenbosch University Application online
18. University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
- Applications Open:  15 March 2025
- Applications Close:
30 August 2025Â (Social Work)
30 September 2025Â (Nursing Science)
31 October 2025Â (all other programmes)
2025 dates have not been released by the institution yet, please use 2025’s dates as a guide until these are confirmed or alternatively contact the institution directly.Â
Click Here to Apply University of Zululand (UniZulu) Application online
19. Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
- Applications Open:Â 1 April 2025
- Applications Close:Â 30 September 2025
Click Here to Apply Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Application online
20. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
- Applications Open:Â 06 April 2025
- Applications Close:Â 31 July 2025
Click Here to Apply Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Application online
University of Technology Application Dates for 2025
1. Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Applications Open:Â May 2025
- Applications Close:Â Â 31 August 2025
Click Here to Apply Central University of Technology (CUT) Application online
2. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Applications Open:Â 1 May 2025
- Applications Close:Â
31 August 2025Â (Design programmes)
30 September 2025Â (all other programmes)
Click Here to Apply Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Application online
3. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Applications Open:Â 15Â April 2025
- Applications Close: 31 July 2025 (Specific programmes) 30 September 2025Â (All other programmes)
Click Here to Apply Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Application online
4. Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Applications Open:Â 15 March 2025
- Applications Close:Â 30 September 2025
Click Here to Apply Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Application online
5. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Applications Open:Â Dates not released by institution yet
Applications Close:Â Dates not released by institution yet
Click Here to Apply Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Application online
6. Durban University of Technology (DUT)
Applications Open:Â Dates not released by institution yet
Applications Close:Â Dates not released by institution yet
Click Here to Apply Durban University of Technology (DUT) Application online
Private College Application Dates for 2025
1. Boston City Campus
Applications Close:Â Date not released by institution yet
Click Here to Apply Boston City Campus Application online
2. EHL – Ecole Hôtelière De Lausanne
Applications Close:Â Date not released by institution yet
Click Here to Apply EHL – Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne Application online
3. Lyceum Correspondence College
Applications Close:Â Â applications are open throughout the year.
Click Here to Apply Lyceum Correspondence College Application online
4. Central Technical College (CTC)
Applications Close:Â You can apply for first or second semester, as well as part-time courses, throughout the year.Â
Click Here to Apply Central Technical College (CTC) Application online
5. Eta College
Applications Close:Â Â applications are open at different times throughout the year.
6. Masterstart
Applications Close:Â Â applications are open at different times throughout the year.
7. City Varsity
Applications Close:Â applications are open throughout the year for different intakes.
8. Icesa Education
Applications Close:Â applications are open throughout the year for the January and July intakes.
9. Damelin
Applications Close:Â you can apply throughout the year.
Click Here to Apply Damelin Application online
13. Damelin Correspondence
Applications Close:Â applications are open throughout the year.
Click Here to Apply Damelin Correspondence Application online
TVET College Application Dates for 2025
1. Buffalo City Tvet College
Applications Close:Â registration is open at different times throughout the year, depending on the course of study.
Click Here to Apply Buffalo City TVET College Application online
2. Northlink Tvet College
Applications Close:Â registration is open at different times throughout the year, depending on the course of study.
Click Here to Apply Northlink TVET College Application online
3. Lovedale Tvet College
4. False Bay Tvet College
6. Tshwane North Tvet College
Note: Most South African TVET colleges are open to applications throughout the year. There are different intake and registration periods for each trimester.
