NWU - 2027 intake
NWU application 2027: dates, APS and fees
North-West University charges R150 to apply and closes general courses on 31 August 2026 - a month earlier than most. Selection courses closed on 30 June.
Updated 22 July 2026 ·By GoCareers
Apply online at NWU - Applications open
- 1 June 2026
- General closing
- 31 August 2026
- Selection courses
- 30 June 2026 (closed)
- Application fee
- R150 (R600 international)
- Scoring
- APS (6 subjects, excl. LO)
- Campuses
- Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark
Who can apply
- South African citizens, permanent residents and international applicants
- NSC or IEB equivalent with the endorsement your programme requires
- APS is calculated on six subjects excluding Life Orientation, from Grade 11 or Grade 12 results
- Each programme sets its own minimum APS
- Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission - final selection uses Grade 12 results
- Programmes are campus-specific, so you apply to a programme at a particular campus
What you'll need
- Certified copy of your SA ID (or passport for international applicants)
- Certified copy of your latest Grade 11 or Grade 12 results
- Certified copy of your matric certificate if you have already completed school
- Proof of payment of the application fee where one applies
- Sworn translation of any document not in English
- Supporting documents for specific programmes (portfolio, medical report) where required
Step by step
-
Pay the R150 application fee
NWU is one of the few SA universities that still charges. The non-refundable administration fee is R150 for South African applicants and R600 for international applicants, payable online only.Tip: NWU is the only one of the major universities in this cycle charging a South African applicant fee. Budget for it. -
Use the NWU APS calculator
NWU publishes its own APS calculator and an initial APS calculator for people still in Grade 11. Six subjects, Life Orientation excluded. -
Apply on the NWU portal
Applications go through the NWU application portal, reached from studies.nwu.ac.za. -
Pick your campus deliberately
NWU programmes are campus-specific across Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark. The same qualification may not be offered at all three. -
Do not miss it - there is no late window
NWU states: "NWU does not accept late applications." It refers people who miss the deadline to the Central Application Service (CAS).
NWU's two deadlines
NWU splits its cycle into selection and general courses:
- 30 June 2026 - selection courses. This has passed; NWU's site now shows selection courses as closed.
- 31 August 2026 - general courses and residence. Still open at time of writing.
- 30 November 2026 - postgraduate.
Note that 31 August is a month earlier than the 30 September that most universities use. Applicants who assume a September deadline miss NWU entirely.
How NWU calculates APS
NWU uses six subjects, excluding Life Orientation, and will calculate from either Grade 11 or Grade 12 results. That differs from Wits (best seven, including Life Orientation, with bonuses) and matches UP's exclusion of Life Orientation.
NWU is explicit that meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee a place: because of capacity limits, final selection is made on Grade 12 results.
Contact
Frequently asked questions
When do NWU applications close for 2027?
31 August 2026 for general courses and residence. Selection courses closed on 30 June 2026. Postgraduate closes 30 November 2026.
How much does it cost to apply to NWU?
R150 for South African applicants and R600 for international applicants. It is a non-refundable administration fee payable online only, and NWU is the only major university in this cycle charging South Africans.
How does NWU calculate APS?
Six subjects excluding Life Orientation, from either Grade 11 or Grade 12 results. NWU publishes its own APS calculator and an initial calculator for Grade 11 learners.
Does NWU accept late applications?
No. NWU states "NWU does not accept late applications" and refers applicants who miss the deadline to the Central Application Service (CAS).
When did NWU 2027 applications open?
1 June 2026 - later than most universities, which opened in April.
Which campuses does NWU have?
Three: Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark (Vaal), across two provinces. Programmes are campus-specific.
Does meeting the NWU minimum APS guarantee admission?
No. NWU states that because of capacity limits, final selection is made on Grade 12 results even where the minimum APS is met.
What is the NWU application portal?
vssweb.nwu.ac.za, reached from studies.nwu.ac.za. Applications and payment are online only.
Related guides
Last updated 22 July 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly —
if something here is out of date, let us know.