UP - 2027 intake
UP application 2027: the deadline has passed
The University of Pretoria closed 2027 undergraduate applications on 30 June 2026 - about three months earlier than most South African universities. Here is what that means and what you can still do.
- Applications opened
- 1 April 2026
- General closing
- 30 June 2026 (CLOSED)
- Veterinary science
- 31 May 2026 (CLOSED)
- Scoring
- APS - 6 subjects, excl. LO, max 42
- MBChB minimum APS
- 35
- Campuses
- 6
Who can apply
- South African citizens, permanent residents and international applicants
- NSC or IEB equivalent - UP publishes separate prospectuses for NSC/IEB and other school-leaving certificates
- UP calculates APS on six 20-credit subjects, EXCLUDING Life Orientation, to a maximum of 42
- MBChB requires a minimum APS of 35
- Several BSc streams require 65% in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences with an APS of 33
- Meeting the minimum APS does not guarantee admission
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
-
Confirm the deadline has passed for your programme
UP's 2027 prospectus states that Veterinary Science closed 31 May and all other faculties closed 30 June. Both dates fall in 2026, ahead of the 2027 academic year.Tip: UP's closing dates are far earlier than the 30 September used by most universities. This catches out a large number of applicants every year. -
Look at universities still open for 2027
UJ closes 31 October 2026 and is free to apply online. UFS, CPUT, UWC, NMU, CUT and Wits general programmes close 30 September 2026. See our 2027 deadlines guide for the full picture. -
Consider the TVET route for 2027
TVET colleges run a later, separate application calendar. See our TVET 2027 dates guide. -
Plan properly for the 2028 cycle
UP has historically opened on 1 April the year before the intake. Working from that pattern, the 2028 cycle would open around April 2027 and close around June 2027 - but confirm on up.ac.za when the dates are published. -
Calculate your UP APS now, not later
UP uses six subjects excluding Life Orientation, maximum 42. Knowing your UP APS well ahead of the next cycle tells you which programmes are realistic.
Why UP catches so many people out
Most South African universities close 2027 undergraduate applications on 30 September 2026. UP closed on 30 June 2026 - three months earlier - and Veterinary Science closed a month before that, on 31 May.
UP is also unusual in that its early deadline is Veterinary Science, not health sciences. At most universities MBChB and allied health close first; at UP, MBChB falls under the general 30 June deadline while vet science closes 31 May.
If UP was your first choice for 2027, the window has closed. That is worth knowing quickly, because the universities still open have deadlines of their own approaching.
How UP calculates APS
UP's APS is based on six recognised 20-credit subjects, using the NSC 1-7 achievement scale. Life Orientation is excluded because it is a 10-credit subject. The maximum achievable APS is 42.
Published examples from UP's 2027 prospectus:
- MBChB - minimum APS 35
- BSc streams - 65% in English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with APS 33
- Several design programmes - conditional at APS 30, confirmed at APS 28
Note how different this is from Wits, which uses best seven subjects including Life Orientation with bonus points for English and Maths. The same matric certificate produces a materially different score at each.
The 2027 prospectus and contact
UP publishes a full 2027 undergraduate prospectus for applicants with an NSC or IEB certificate, produced by its Department of Enrolment and Student Administration, plus a separate international prospectus for applicants with school-leaving certificates not issued by Umalusi.
Student Service Centre: 012 420 3111 · ssc@up.ac.za
UP operates across six campuses, with Hatfield as the main campus (cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street), plus Hillcrest, Groenkloof and others.