It's that time of your matric year!
Universities are starting to open their 2020 applications, and if you have your heart set on studying next year, you'll want to start making an application as early as possible.
Selection requirements depend on the degree applied for and these may be different depending on the university in question. Ensure you read through the prospectus of the relevant faculties to familiarise yourself with the selection criteria and what you need to apply.
In general, here's an idea of the supporting documentation you may need when making an application:
- Your ID or a parent's ID if younger than 18;
- If already matriculated, a certified copy your National Senior Certificate;
- If currently in matric, your final Grade 11 results (certified by your school);
- If hoping to transfer, certified academic records.
Also see: Your ultimate university guide
What's your biggest concern about your final year at high school? Share your story with us, and we could publish your letter.
Save the date
Here are the 2020 application dates and open days sourced from South African universities countrywide.
NB: A few universities are missing from this list. We'll update this article with their information throughout the year, but best check with the universities themselves.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Applications now open: 1 April 2019
Early closing date: 2 August 2019
Late closing date: 30 September 2019
Open day: George campus: 3-4 May 2019
Port Elizabeth (Missionvale campus): 10-11 May 2019
North-West University
Applications now open
Closing date: 30 September 2019
Open day: Mafikeng campus 25 May 2019
Vaal Triangle campus: 18 May 2019
Potchefstroom campus: 11 May 2019
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly Medunsa)
Applications now open
Closing dates: 26 & 28 July 2019
To find out which date is applicable to you, visit: www.smu.ac.za
Open day: Sefako Makgatho sports complex: 23-24 May 2019
Also see: Matrics 2019, you can do it! Here's how Parent24 can help
Stellenbosch University
Applications now open
Closing dates: 30 June 2019 & 15 December 2019
Visit www.sun.ac.za for more
University of Cape Town
Applications now open
Closing date: 31 July 2019
Open day: 04 May 2019
University of Johannesburg
Applications now open
Closing date: 27 September 2019
Open day: Visit: https://future.uj.mobi/ as UJ requires you to register online for a specific faculty’s Mini Open Day to access date and time information.
Also see: Matriculants! If a career in S.T.E.M is your dream, you'll want to apply for this bursary
University of Limpopo
Applications now open
Closing date: 31 October 2019
Open day: 18 May 2019
University of Mpumalanga
Applications now open
Closing dates: 30 September 2019 & 31 October 2019
To find out which date is applicable to you, visit: www.ump.ac.za
University of Pretoria
Applications now open
Closing dates: 31 May, 30 June & 30 September
Open day: 23 May 2019
To check which date will apply to you, visit: www.up.ac.za
Also see: South Africa's universities and colleges: contact details
University of the Free State
Applications open: 1 April 2019 & 1 September 2019
Closing dates: 31 May 2019, 31 July 2019, 31 August 2019, 30 September 2019, 1 November 2019, 30 November 2019
To see which of the above dates are applicable to you, visit: www.ufs.ac.za
Open day: Qwaqwa campus: 04 May 2019
Bloemfontein campus: 11 May 2019
University of the Western Cape
Opening date: 11 May 2019
NB: The university has not yet provided a closing date, please visit their website for details: www.uwc.ac.za
Open day: 11 May 2019
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University)
Applications now open
Closing dates: 30 June & 30 September 2019
Visit: www.wits.ac.za to find out which date is applicable to you.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Applications are now open
Closing dates: 31 July, 31 August & 30 September 2019
Visit: https://www.cput.ac.za/ to find out which date is applicable to you.
Open day: 11 May 2019
Chat back:
What's your biggest concern about your final year at high school? Share your story with us, and we could publish your letter.