This article contains information on universities with free online applications in South Africa for the 2024–2025 academic session.
Earning a degree is one of the major steps any young person should take to acquire the competencies to thrive in any career path of advancement. The disruptive nature of technology has made the acquisition of relevant skills inherent and universities one of the drivers of the coming future. Usually, getting into a university requires certain requirements depending on the course of study, like an active email address and a reliable cell phone number, 2 scan copies of your identity document, which could be passport or grade 11 final result, your last academic transcripts if you are transferring from another institution and a general application fee. However, it is worthy of note that not all universities, especially those that are government-funded, require application fees to apply for any of their courses.
We would like to share with you some carefully sorted-out top institutions with free university applications in South Africa, one of Africa’s largest economies.
Read Also: List of Courses Offered at South African Universities
TOP UNIVERSITIES WITH FREE ONLINE APPLICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. University Of South Africa (UNISA)
University of South Africa is the largest University in the whole of Africa by enrollment, with a population amounting to a third of education students in South Africa. UNISA, as it is called, has over 300,000 students, including students from 130 countries who are international students. As a comprehensive university with about 9 faculties, Unisa offers both vocational and academic programmes, many of which have received international accreditation and geographical footprint, giving their students recognition and employability across the globe. Their faculties, also known as colleges, are listed as follows:
Click here to access the Unisa online free application portal
2. University of Pretoria (UP)
University of Pretoria is the leading public research university in South Africa, with 9 campuses and a business school. They major in courses and research endeavours that hover around economic management, health sciences, humanities, theology, and law, amongst others. As a research-based institution, it has continuously produced excellent, world-acclaimed research outputs.
Application to undergraduate studies for both local and international students after the University of Pretoria is fully online via an online application portal. And it is free!
3. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Since 2005, when it was established, the University of Johannesburg, a public tertiary institution located in Johannesburg, South Africa’s capital, has transformed into a diverse, inclusive, transformational and collegial institution with a student population of over 50 000, of which more than 3000. UJ has a balanced mix of vocational and Academic programmes geared towards equality and human dignity. The institution can boast offering diverse courses that cut across Art, Design and Architecture, Business and Economics, education, engineering, health science, law, pure science and humanities.
Application to UJ can be done either through a printed application form or online via this link. To apply online, you need a working email address and a South African ID but as an international student, your passport number is required.
4. Rhodes University (RU)
One major thing so particular about Rhodes University is her continuous effort to attain excellence. Rhodes is one of the oldest universities in the country and has thrived excellently in the areas of academics, outstanding postgraduate research rates, and extracurricular activities. It is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The school comprises six faculties which include Humanities, commerce, law, science, education and pharmacy. Rhodes, a small, fully residential university, has an academic programme operating on a semester calendar, beginning in early-February to early-June, and the second semester beginning in late-July and ending late-November. RU application is online; visit this link for details on the requirements too.
5. Stellenbosch University (SU)
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa and it is one of the oldest universities in the country.
Stellenbosch’s Vision is to maintain the lead in Research and Innovation that has a great impact on South African society. The university has a vibrant cosmopolitan community of more than 32, 000 students, including students from over 100 different countries as international students. In 2018, SU launched its vision 2040, which is geared at advancing its core values to provide a transformative student experience, foster unity and partnership, promote collaborative teaching and learning, conduct research for impact, and position issues as an employer of choice.
It was the first African university to sign the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities. The faculties in the universities are Arts, social science, pure science, agriscience, law, theology, economic and management science, engineering, military science, medicine and health science and a business school.
Application to Stellenbosch University can be made via this link.
6. University of Western Cape (UWC)
The University of Western Cape is a public institution located at Bellville Cape Town South Africa University was established in 1960. UWC rides on the radar of a rich and conducive environment for research and academic activities. The South African government is a university for coloured people only. UWC can boast of a network of international partners that ensures a flow of students and eminent scholars from other countries to undertake major projects.
Visit this link to apply and join the league of researchers shaping the world through their numerous contributions.
7. Tshwane University Of Technology (TUT)
Tshwane University of technology is an institution that came into existence through the merger of 3 technikon: Technikon Northern Gauteng, Technikon North-West and Technikon Pretoria With approximately 60,000 students, it is the largest residential higher education institution in South Africa.
TUT is made up of six satellite campuses: Pretoria, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, Witbank (eMalahleni), Mbombela and Polokwane campuses. Admission requirements vary from year to year; however, visit this link for more information on the general and specific requirements as well as deadlines.
8. University of Free State (UFS)
Just as the name implies, you would almost conclude that the application is free. This dynamic institution of learning is located in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa. Established in 1904, UFS offers numerous undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Humanities, Theology religion, and business.
Application to UFS is simply via their online application portal.
Therefore, it is necessary that you capitalise on the free university application in South Africa, as this opportunity is always subject to change.
Further Readings:
- List of South African Universities with their Application Fees for 2024/2025
- List of Universities Open for 2024/2025 Application
- List of South African Universities that offers PGCE and how to apply
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