Late Applications 2025 University Guide

Did you perhaps just miss the university application deadlines for 2025? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many South African students fall into this trap for reasons such as not knowing what courses to study, procrastination, confusion about the process, or simply not being aware of the deadlines at all.

However, I’m not going to lie to you, it will not be an easy process to get the space to study your favorite course. In many cases, you will find that the best option is to just enroll for any available course at any university (not even your preferred university), just to ensure you didn’t have a wasted academic year.

However, there are some options and tricks you can use in order to get (a very competitive and rare) space to study in 2025.

1. The first option is to always be on the lookout for any university’s announcement regarding “open late applications” for specific courses. But remember, these courses might not even be the ones you want to study in the first place. If you find a course, don’t be too picky because it would be easy for you to change to your favorite course in the next year (2026).
2. The second option is to call the faculties that offer the courses you are interested in at your favorite universities, to find out if they can still accept you. Students always cancel the courses they applied for, even if they have been accepted. You might be lucky to find those spots.
3. The third option (although still very competitive) is to look for relevant extended courses at your favorite university that you can do for the duration of the year. When you apply while doing extended degrees, your chances of getting accepted increase by 50%. I know this from helping students like you every year.
4. The fourth option would be to apply for the very same courses at private colleges, instead of universities. But this can be costly as NSFAS will not be funding you. However, some colleges are very affordable.
5. The fifth option is to take a gap year and improve your marks instead. But remember to apply on the first day the university applications open for 2026.

Also note, that the courses with low to average entry requirements are usually the ones that are full to capacity every year. These courses usually fall within BA degrees, as opposed to BCom, and BSc categories: such as BA Business Management, BA Human Resources, BA Public Relations, Logistics, Politics, BA Administration, BA Communications, etc.

Below you will find various SA universities and their “late application” processes, that take place every year:

1. University of Johannesburg (UJ) Late Applications

UJ has a late application announcement which opens for a limited time after the regular applications close every year. For 2025, UJ late application will open in mid January 2025 – till the end of January 2025. Check it here

2. University of Pretoria (UP) Late Applications

UP does not have a formal late application process. However, you can contact their admissions office: ssc@up.ac.za or 012 420 3111

3. University of the Western Cape (UWC) Late Applications

UWC doesn’t generally accept late applications. However, try contacting them here: +27 21 959 3900/01 or admissions@uwc.ac.za

4. University of the Free State (UFS) Late Applications

UFS does not officially offer late applications. However, you can use these details to try your luck: Whatsapp at 0872406370 
+27 51 401 3000 or email applications@ufs.ac.za 

5. Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Late Applications

VUT usually opens a late application window from the 16 to 20 of January yearly. Please check this link to find out: https://vut.ac.za/apply-to-vut/ Alternatively, you can try contacting them on 0800 357 635 /0860 357 635

6. Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Late Applications

WSU usually opens its late application window from 20th January up to March. Check this link for their 2025 late applications announcement.

7. Central University of Technology (CUT) Late Applications

CUT often accepts late applications, depending on the availability of spaces in specific programmes. For 2025 late applications, contact them on +27 (0)57 910 3500

8. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Late Applications

TUT frequently opens its late application system after the regular application window has closed. This usually happens after matric results have been released in early January. You can also contact them on 086 110 2421, Email: general@tut.ac.za