UJ - 2027 intake

UJ application 2027: dates, prospectus and how to apply

UJ closes latest of any South African university - 31 October 2026 at 12:00 - and online applications are free. That combination makes it the most important backup option in the country.

Updated 22 July 2026 ·By GoCareers
Apply online at UJ
Applications open
1 April 2026
Closing date
31 October 2026, 12:00
Application fee
Free online (R200 hardcopy)
Scoring
APS
Campuses
4 (all Johannesburg)
Call centre
011 559 4555

Who can apply

  • South African citizens, permanent residents and international applicants
  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or IEB equivalent with degree, diploma or higher certificate endorsement depending on the programme
  • Grade 11 final results are used for the initial (conditional) decision
  • Each programme sets its own APS and subject requirements
  • Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee a place - selection is competitive
  • Applicants still writing matric apply on Grade 11 results and are confirmed on final NSC results

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

  1. Apply online - it is free

    Go to the UJ online application portal. Online applications carry no fee. Only hardcopy applications cost R200.
    Tip: UJ publishes an explicit warning that online applications are free and that nobody should charge you to apply. Anyone asking for payment to submit a UJ application is running a scam.

  2. Check the closing time, not just the date

    UJ closes at 12:00 midday on 31 October 2026, not midnight. This catches people out every year - the portal shuts at lunchtime on the final day.

  3. Calculate your APS for UJ specifically

    UJ uses APS, but the calculation differs between universities. Work out your UJ score against the specific programme's published requirement rather than assuming a score from another institution transfers.

  4. Download the 2027 prospectus

    UJ publishes a 2027 undergraduate prospectus PDF on uj.ac.za, with per-programme APS requirements and subject prerequisites. Read the entry for your exact programme - faculty-level generalisations are not reliable.

  5. Do not count on a second chance

    UJ states plainly: "No late application will be accepted." There is no late window and no walk-in option.

Why UJ matters even if it is not your first choice

UJ's 31 October deadline is roughly a month later than almost every other university, and its online application is free. That makes it the single most useful backup in the South African system.

If you have been rejected elsewhere, or your first-choice university closed before you were ready, UJ is very often still open. Applying costs you nothing but time.

The four campuses

UJ operates four campuses, all within the City of Johannesburg:

  • Auckland Park Kingsway - the main campus
  • Auckland Park Bunting Road
  • Doornfontein
  • Soweto

Programmes are campus-specific, so check where yours is actually taught before you plan transport or accommodation.

Application scams

UJ is one of the most impersonated institutions in South Africa, precisely because it is popular and its deadline is late. The tells:

  • Anyone charging you to submit an online application. It is free.
  • WhatsApp-only "agents" offering guaranteed admission.
  • Lookalike domains. The official domain is uj.ac.za and the portal is on registration.uj.ac.za.
  • Offers of a place before you have applied, or before results are out.

If in doubt, phone the UJ call centre on 011 559 4555.

Frequently asked questions

When do UJ applications close for 2027?
31 October 2026 at 12:00 midday. This is the latest closing date of any major South African university. Note it is midday, not midnight.
How much does it cost to apply to UJ?
Online applications are free. Only hardcopy applications cost R200. UJ warns that anyone charging you to apply online is running a scam.
When did UJ applications open for 2027?
1 April 2026.
Does UJ accept late applications?
No. UJ states: "No late application will be accepted." There is no late window.
What APS do I need for UJ?
It varies by programme - each one publishes its own APS and subject requirements in the 2027 prospectus. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission, as selection is competitive and capacity-limited.
How many campuses does UJ have?
Four, all in Johannesburg: Auckland Park Kingsway (main), Auckland Park Bunting Road, Doornfontein and Soweto. Programmes are campus-specific.
Can I apply to UJ with Grade 11 results?
Yes. UJ makes an initial conditional decision on Grade 11 final results, then confirms against your final NSC results.
How do I contact UJ about my application?
The UJ call centre is on 011 559 4555. Always verify communications against the official uj.ac.za domain.

Related guides

University applications 2027

Every SA university's verified 2027 opening and closing dates.

APS score calculator

Work out your score before you apply.

NSFAS application

Funding runs on its own deadline - apply alongside.

SA universities: all 26

Full list of public universities and how they differ.

Last updated 22 July 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.