UFS Financial Aid

In order to apply for your school’s UFS Financial Aid, you must have registered with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Follow the details below to apply for the Student Financial Aid;

Prospective students should apply through their school student’ portal by following the instructions below:

  • Log on to your school’s student portal, if you’re yet to have an account, Sign Up immediately.
  • Once you’re logged in, search for the NSFAS application, then apply with your reg. number, or username and password.
  • From time to time, view the NSFAS Database www.nsfas.org.za, to check your confirmation and clearance.

Click here to get more information about the NSFAS application procedure.

Please click HERE to consult the 2024 Undergraduate Prospectus to ensure you meet the minimum entrance requirements before applying.

Each prospective student must complete the online application.

Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).

Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet. 

In the case of applicants re-writing Grade 12 subjects, applications will be processed on the current results available. If Grade 12 has been written more than once then your combined results must be submitted with your application.

Applicants writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) through IEB or SACAI examining bodies can apply online by selecting “National Senior Certificate” under the Results Detail page of the online application process.

Applicants currently in Grade 12 are requested to provide school stamped copies of final Grade 11.

Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to declare their previous studies when applying as well as upload an official  full academic record/transcript and degree/diploma certificate (where applicable).

The University of the Free State does  not accept the General Education Development (GED) test for entry into any of its curricular undergraduate qualifications.  The GED is no longer recognised by Universities South Africa (USAf), and is not equivalent to a South African grade 12 (NSC/IEB/SACAI).  Applicants who completed the GED and would like to study towards an undergraduate curricular qualification are advised to register and complete a grade 12 NSC/IEB/SACAI or international equivalent thereof.

Applicants who did not complete SC/NSC/IEB must have USAF accreditation from the examination board for South African Universities. Click HERE to apply online for conditional exemption, foreign conditional exemption or mature age conditional exemption or send an email to applications@usaf.ac.za.

To apply for the University Access Programmes (UAP), please click HERE to ensure you meet the minimum admission requirements before applying. 

POSTGRADUATE APPLICATIONS

  • It is important to note that ALL Postgraduate programmes are selection programmes.  Click HERE to consult the  2025 Postgraduate Prospectus.
  • In some instances Honours, Masters and Doctoral students are expected to apply directly to the department or to pre-register.  Please refer to the specific Faculty and departmental information to determine whether you need apply directly or to pre-register.  Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information. 
  • Each prospective student must complete the online application.
  • Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
  • Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet. 
  • Admission is a separate process when your application will be evaluated by the relevant faculty.
  • Before you submit your online application and upload/email documents, please visit the relevant faculty/department website to confirm additional documentation that may be required e.g. departmental application form, CV, motivation, reports, dissertation/thesis proposal etc.  Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information. 
  • Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to upload an official  full academic record/transcript, degree/diploma certificate and SAQA certificate if you hold a foreign/ international qualification .
  • Advanced Diploma qualifications are classified as undergraduate.  It is however processed (administratively) as a postgraduate qualification due to previous studies involved. 

Application Helpdesk Enquiries:  +27 51 4019111 or email studentadmin@ufs.ac.za 

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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