Stellenbosch (Maties) — Student portal

Stellenbosch University portals 2026: SUNStudent, SUNLearn login

SUNStudent is the admin portal; SUNLearn (Moodle) is the LMS. Both use the same SU credentials with mandatory Microsoft Authenticator MFA. Here's how to set up and log in.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers

Open SUNStudent

SUNStudent: student.sun.ac.za
SUNLearn (LMS): learn.sun.ac.za
Password reset: web-apps.sun.ac.za/user-password-manage
MFA: Mandatory (Microsoft Authenticator)
App fee 2027: R100 SA / R400 international
IT Service Desk: 021 808 2222

Who uses Stellenbosch portals

Current Stellenbosch undergraduate and postgraduate students (Maties)
Applicants who've been issued an SU student number
Staff (use sun.ac.za/staff hub)
International applicants — same portals, different fee structure

What you'll need to log in

SU username (8-digit student number, e.g. 12345678)
SU network password (≥ 14 characters; upper, lower, number, symbol; must not contain your name)
Microsoft Authenticator app for MFA (mandatory)
Current Chrome or Edge browser
For first-time users: OTP via SMS / registered email

Step by step

Set your SU password (first-time users)

Go to web-apps.sun.ac.za/user-password-manage and click Forgot Password? Enter your student number — an OTP is sent to the cellphone/email on record. Create a new password (≥14 characters, upper/lower/number/symbol, must not contain your name).
Set up Microsoft Authenticator (MFA)

MFA is mandatory before registration is possible. Visit portal.office.com (or account.activedirectory.windowsazure.com) and follow the MFA enrolment flow.

Tip: Install the <strong>Microsoft Authenticator</strong> app on your phone first — same app used for many other Microsoft 365 systems.
Log into SUNStudent

Go to student.sun.ac.za and click Login. You'll be redirected to the SU Single Sign-On page at sso-prod.sun.ac.za. Enter your SU username (8-digit student number) and SU network password. Approve the MFA prompt (or enter SMS OTP).
Log into SUNLearn

Go to learn.sun.ac.za and click Log in (top right). Same SU credentials. Complete MFA if prompted. Your enrolled modules appear under My courses.

Tip: The older <code>sunlearn.sun.ac.za</code> hostname is no longer canonical — use <strong>learn.sun.ac.za</strong>.
Apply for admission via SU portal

SU accepts direct online applications via the Applicant Portal at student.sun.ac.za/applicant-portal (also linked from su.ac.za/apply). SU is not on CAO. Applicants create an account, choose programmes (max two), upload documents, and pay the fee.

Tip: Quintile 1–4 schools are exempt from application fees — verify with SU Admissions.

Stellenbosch portals at a glance

Portal	URL	Purpose
SUNStudent	student.sun.ac.za	Admin: registration, results, fees, applications, personal info
my.sun.ac.za	my.sun.ac.za	Personalised landing for timetables, email, services
SUNLearn (Moodle LMS)	learn.sun.ac.za	Course content, assignments, grades
SU Library	library.sun.ac.za	Catalogue, databases, e-resources
SU Webmail / Office 365	sun.ac.za/webmail (Outlook)	Student email — studentno@sun.ac.za
Applicant Portal	student.sun.ac.za/applicant-portal	New undergraduate / postgraduate applications
SSO	sso-prod.sun.ac.za/cas/login	Federated login for SU services
Password Manager	web-apps.sun.ac.za/user-password-manage	Self-service password reset / change

What you can do on SUNStudent

Apply for admission (via the Applicant Portal section)
Accept or decline conditional / final offers
Register or amend module selections (self-registration, with a credit calculator)
View academic results / transcripts
View and pay your student fees account
Update personal information (address, cellphone, next-of-kin)
Apply for residence (koshuis) placement
Apply for financial aid / bursaries
View class timetables

Password reset

URL: web-apps.sun.ac.za/user-password-manage
Click Reset password → CAPTCHA → enter student number → OTP via SMS/email → set new password (14–47 chars, complexity rules)
The Service Desk cannot reset passwords for you (security policy). Self-service only.

Application timing (2027 intake — current cycle)

Opens: 1 April 2026
Closes: 31 July 2026 for undergraduate programmes and residence placement
Financial aid: October 2026 window (typically 1–31 October)
Final offers based on Grade 12 results from 14 January 2027

Application fee

South African applicants: R100
International applicants: R400
Exempt: Undergraduate applicants from Quintile 1–4 schools

Language of instruction at SU (2026)

SU's Language Policy is currently under 5-year review (student survey closed 5 May 2026). Current policy:

Official languages of learning and teaching: Afrikaans, English, and isiXhosa
English and Afrikaans are the primary academic languages
Undergraduate teaching uses parallel medium (separate Afrikaans and English classes for the same module), dual medium, or English-only depending on faculty and module
In practice, English is the dominant medium of instruction, with Afrikaans options retained where viable

MFA device lost/replaced — must re-register Authenticator via IT Service Desk
Account locked after multiple wrong attempts — wait 15 min or use password reset
Outstanding fees block access to results and registration (but not login)
Browser issues — SUNStudent requires JavaScript enabled; use latest Chrome/Edge
First-time password not synced across systems — use sun.ac.za/password to force sync
Wrong username format — username is student number only, not full email, on SUNStudent SSO
Phishing risk — only sun.ac.za, mymaties.com, maties.com domains are legitimate

Mobile access

SUNLearn app (Moodle Mobile, branded "SUNLearn") — iOS App Store and Google Play; offline course content, notifications, grades
SU Facilities — campus navigation app
Maties app — official staff/student app
MobiLex — multilingual subject terminology
Microsoft Outlook app for SU email
Microsoft Authenticator — required for MFA

There is no single "SUNStudent" mobile app — the portal is mobile-web responsive.

Contact — SU IT Service Desk

Main switchboard: +27 21 808 9111
IT Service Desk / Learning Tech: 021 808 2222
Email (Learning Tech / SUNLearn): learn@sun.ac.za
Service Desk portal: servicedesk.sun.ac.za
Knowledge base: servicedesk.sun.ac.za/kb (ITHUB space)
IT walk-in centre: Mon–Fri 08:00–16:15 (Admin A Building, Stellenbosch campus)
Student admin: info@sun.ac.za

Frequently asked questions

How do I log in to SUNStudent?

Go to student.sun.ac.za, click Login, enter your 8-digit student number and SU network password on the SSO page, then approve the MFA prompt via Microsoft Authenticator.

What is the difference between SUNStudent and SUNLearn?

SUNStudent is the admin portal (registration, fees, results, applications). SUNLearn is the Moodle-based LMS for course content, assignments and grades. Both use the same SU credentials.

How do I reset my Stellenbosch University password?

Go to web-apps.sun.ac.za/user-password-manage and click Reset Password. Enter your student number, complete CAPTCHA, receive OTP via SMS/email, set new password (14+ chars, complexity required). The Service Desk cannot do this for you — self-service only.

What is my SU username?

Your 8-digit student number (e.g. 12345678), allocated when your application is accepted. Used for SUNStudent, SUNLearn, library, email and Wi-Fi.

How do I set up MFA at Stellenbosch University?

Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone, then enrol at portal.office.com (or account.activedirectory.windowsazure.com). MFA is mandatory before you can register for modules.

When do Stellenbosch University 2027 applications open and close?

Opened 1 April 2026, closes 31 July 2026 for undergraduate programmes. Stellenbosch does not accept late applications.

How much is the Stellenbosch University application fee?

R100 for SA applicants; R400 for international applicants. Undergraduate applicants from Quintile 1–4 schools are exempt.

Is Stellenbosch University still teaching in Afrikaans?

Yes — Afrikaans remains an official language of learning and teaching alongside English and isiXhosa. In practice, English is dominant, with Afrikaans options retained where viable. The 2021 Language Policy is currently under 5-year review.

How do I check my Stellenbosch University application status?

Log into the Applicant Portal at student.sun.ac.za/applicant-portal. Status updates as Admissions processes your file.

Why can't I log in to SUNLearn?

Most common causes: MFA not configured, browser cache (clear it or try Incognito), JavaScript disabled, or you're using the old sunlearn.sun.ac.za URL — use learn.sun.ac.za.

How do I apply for residence at Stellenbosch University?

Residence application is integrated into the SUNStudent application form — tick residence placement during your undergraduate application.

Related guides

South African Universities 2026 — complete guide

All 26 public universities, APS, NSFAS and how to apply.

UCT online portals

UCT's Student Self-Service + Amathuba LMS — also Western Cape.

How to apply for NSFAS 2026

Funding for Stellenbosch tuition and allowances.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.