When Do Universities Reopen in South Africa

When Do Universities Reopen in South Africa (2026)

ByJoeme Updated on

If you are planning for registration, returning to campus, or starting your first year, knowing when universities reopen in South Africa in 2026 is important.
Opening dates are not the same across institutions. Some universities reopen in early January for administration, while lectures usually begin in February.

When Do Universities Reopen in South Africa
When Do Universities Reopen in South Africa

This guide brings together confirmed 2026 reopening dates and term structures for major South African universities in one place, so you don’t have to search multiple PDFs or outdated pages.

LIST OF UNIVERSITIES AND WHEN THEY OPEN FOR 2026

1. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

University opens to the public:
Monday, 12 January 2026

Lectures begin:
Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 14 Jan – 27 Mar 2026
  • Recess: 28 Mar – 7 Apr 2026
  • Term 2: 8 Apr – 26 Jun 2026
  • Recess: 27 Jun – 20 Jul 2026
  • Term 3: 21 Jul – 23 Sep 2026
  • Recess: 3 Oct – 12 Oct 2026
  • Term 4: 6 Oct – 9 Dec 2026

University closes:
22 December 2026

2. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Term Dates (2026)

  • Term 1: 26 Jan – 13 Mar
    • First-year students: 9 Feb – 13 Mar
  • Term 2: 23 Mar – 19 Jun
  • Term 3: 13 Jul – 4 Sep
  • Term 4: 14 Sep – 11 Dec
  • To check the full Cape Peninsula University of Technology Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the CPUT Academic Calendar 

3. University of the Free State (UFS)

  • University opens: 2 January 2026
  • Academics return: 12 January 2026

Quarter System

  • Quarter 1: 9 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Quarter 2: 8 Apr – 29 May
  • Quarter 3: 13 Jul – 28 Aug
  • Quarter 4: 31 Aug – 23 Oct

University closes: 18 December 2026

  • To check the full Cape Peninsula University of Technology Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the CPUT Academic Calendar 

4. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

  • Classes begin: 2 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 2 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Term 2: 7 Apr – 30 Jun
  • Term 3: 13 Jul – 18 Sep
  • Term 4: 28 Sep – 4 Dec

Final academic activities end: 11 December 2026

5. University of the Western Cape (UWC)

  • University opens: 9 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 9 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Term 2: 7 Apr – 13 May
  • Term 3: 20 Jul – 28 Aug
  • Term 4: 7 Sep – 20 Oct
See Also:  eta College Academic Calendar - 2026 Academic Sessions

6. Stellenbosch University (SU)

University reopens: 5 January 2026

First term starts: 9 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 9 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Recess: 28 Mar – 6 Apr
  • Term 2: 7 Apr – 15 May
  • First semester ends: 27 Jun
  • Recess: 28 Jun – 19 Jul
  • Term 3: 20 Jul – 4 Sep
  • Term 4: 14 Sep – 23 Oct

Teaching ends in October, with assessments continuing into December.

7. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

  • First semester: 9 February – 25 June 2026
  • Second semester: 20 July – 1 December 2026

Breaks

  • Easter vacation: 28 Mar – 6 Apr
  • Winter vacation: 26 Jun – 19 Jul
  • Mid-term break: 19 Sep – 27 Sep

8. Rhodes University

  • Academic year opens: 9 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 9 Feb – 20 Mar
  • Term 2: 30 Mar – 12 Jun
  • Term 3: 6 Jul – 14 Aug
  • Term 4: 24 Aug – 5 Nov

University administration closes: 15 December 2026

9. University of Johannesburg (UJ)

  • Students return: 9 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 9 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Term 2: 6 Apr – 22 May
  • Term 3: 13 Jul – 28 Aug
  • Term 4: 7 Sep – 16 Oct

Final assessments end in November 2026.

10. University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)

  • Academic year opens: 3 February 2026

Term Dates

  • Term 1: 3 Feb – 18 Mar
  • Term 2: 30 Mar – 19 May
  • Term 3: 20 Jul – 4 Sep
  • Term 4: 14 Sep – 27 Oct

Academic year closes: 27 November 2026

11. University of Pretoria (UP)

  • Academic year starts: 5 January 2026
  • Teaching begins: 9 February 2026

Term Structure

  • Term 1: 9 Feb – 27 Mar
  • Term 2: 7 Apr – 27 May
  • Term 3: 20 Jul – 7 Sep
  • Term 4: 8 Sep – early Nov

Academic year ends: 5 December 2026

12. University of Cape Town (UCT)

Teaching begins: 16 February 2026

See Also:  Capricorn College Academic Calendar – 2026 Almanac

Semester Structure

  • First semester: Feb – June
  • Second semester: July – November
  • Summer term & exams: November – 21 December 2026

To check the full University of Cape Town Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the UCT Academic Calendar 

13. Durban University of Technology (DUT)

  • University Re-opens: Monday, 5 January 2026
  • Academic Year Closes: Friday, 18 December 2026 (End of Term 4)
    • University closure is from 21 to 31 December 2026.

Term Dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Monday, 26 January 2026 – Monday, 16 March 2026
  • Term 2:  Friday, 20 March 2026 – Friday, 12 June 2026
  • Term 3: Monday, 6 July 2026 – Friday, 21 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday, 28 September 2026  – Friday, 13 November 2026

To check the full Durban University of Technology Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the DUT Academic Calendar 

14. University of Fort Hare (UFH)

  • Official Opening of Academic Year / Lectures Commence (Alice Campus): Monday, 02 February 2026
  • Late Registration & Module Changes Begin: Monday, 02 February 2026
  • Lecture Week (Week 1): Begins Monday, 09 February 2026

To check the full University of Fort Hare Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the UFH Academic Calendar 

15. University of Limpopo (UL)

  • First Semester Commences: Monday, 26 January 2026
  • First Semester Ends: Friday, 12 June 2026
  • Second Semester Commences: Monday, 6 July 2026
  • Second Semester Ends: Friday, 13 November 2026

Term Dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Monday, 26 January 2026 – Monday, 16 March 2026
  • Term 2: Friday, 20 March 2026 – Friday, 12 June 2026
  • Term 3: Monday, 6 July 2026 – Friday, 21 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday, 28 September 2026 – Friday, 13 November 2026

To check the full University of Limpopo Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the UL Academic Calendar 

16. University of Zululand (UNIZULU)

  • University Re-opens: Monday, 5 January 2026
  • University Closure: Friday, 18 December 2026

Term Dates for 2026

  • Term 1: Monday, 9 February 2026 – Saturday, 27 March 2026
  • Term 2: Monday, 13 April 2026 – Friday, 9 October 2026
  • Term 3: Monday, 6 July 2026 – Friday, 21 August 2026
  • Term 4: Monday, 31 August 2026 – Friday, 9 October 2026

To check the full University of Zululand Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the UNIZULU Academic Calendar 

17. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

Opening and Closing Dates:

  • Administrative Year Opening: Monday, 5 January 2026 (Staff return).
  • Lectures Commence: Monday, 9 February 2026.
  • Academic Year Closing: Friday, 18 December 2026.

Term Dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Mon, 9 Feb 2026 – Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Term 2: Tue, 13 May 2026 – Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Term 3: Mon, 20 Jul 2026 – Fri, 28 Aug 2026
  • Term 4: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 – Fri, 16 Oct 2026
See Also:  Eduvos Academic Calendar – 2026 Term Dates

To check the full Walter Sisulu University Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the WSU Academic Calendar 

18. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 

  • 2026 academic year for First Time Entering Students commences on 02 February, 2026

To check the full Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University  Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the SMU Academic Calendar 

19. Mangosuthu University of Technology

University Opening Dates:

  • Support Staff: Monday, 05 January 2026
  • Academic Staff: Monday, 12 January 2026

Term Dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Monday, 05 January 2026 – Friday, 27 March 2026
  • Term 2: Monday, 07 April 2026 – Friday, 19 June 2026
  • Term 3: Monday, 13 July 2026 – Friday, 18 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday, 28 September 2026 – Tuesday, 15 December 2026

University Closure: Tuesday, 15 December 2026

To check the full Mangosuthu University of Technology  Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the MUT Academic Calendar 

20. University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

  • University Re-opens: Monday, 05 January 2026
  • Lectures Commence: Monday, 09 February 2026

Term Dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Monday, 09 February 2026 – Friday, 02 April 2026
  • Term 2: Monday, 13 April 2026 – Friday, 29 May 2026
  • Term 3: Monday, 20 July 2026 – Friday, 11 September 2026
  • Term 4: Monday, 21 September 2026 – Friday, 23 October 2026

University Closes: Friday, 18 December 2026

To check the full University of Mpumalanga  Semester Dates and Holidays for 2026, see the UMP Academic Calendar 

Other Universities Yet to Publish Full 2026 Dates

As at the time of writing, the following institutions are yet to release complete 2026 academic calendars:

  • Sol Plaatje University
  • University of Venda
  • Vaal University of Technology
  • Central University of Technology

NOTE:

  • Administrative opening is not lectures starting
  • First-year orientation may begin earlier
  • Late registration dates differ by faculty
  • Dates may change slightly depending on faculty, programme, or public holidays. Always confirm with the institution if you are registering late.

If you are applying late or registering after the official opening, check your student portal and faculty notices regularly.

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Joeme is a biochemist by training and a SEO content writer by passion. He has been writing content for the past 4 years. He has expertise in career-related information, education and university admissions.

He is also a certified web publisher.

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