The University of the Free State (UFS) has officially opened applications for the 2027 academic year, providing prospective students with an opportunity to access quality higher education in South Africa.

Applications are free of charge and conducted entirely online through the UFS application portal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, particularly for highly competitive programmes with earlier closing dates.

This detailed guide provides accurate and complete information on the application process, deadlines, requirements, document submission, and official support contacts.

Application Opening Date

• Applications opened on: Wednesday, 1 April 2026
• Application fee: Free

Step-by-Step UFS Online Application Process

The UFS online application system consists of eight mandatory steps:

1. Start Application
2. Selection Information
3. Study Choices
4. Verification
5. Personal Information
6. Uploads
7. Agreement
8. Completion

All steps must be completed for the application to be successfully submitted.

After submission:

• You will receive a confirmation email
• You will be issued a student number
• You can track your application via the Self-Service portal

Types of Applications Available

1. Undergraduate Applications

• Open to Grade 12 learners and high school graduates
• Applicants may select up to two study programmes
• Must meet minimum admission requirements

2. Postgraduate Applications

• Includes Honours, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s, and PhD programmes
• Requires academic transcripts and supporting documents

3. Specialized Schools

• Business School
• School of Financial Planning Law

Applicants must consult the relevant faculty or prospectus for detailed programme requirements.

Click HERE to apply for the Scholarship.

Important Application Deadlines (2027 Intake)

Undergraduate Deadlines

31 May 2026

• MB ChB (Medicine)
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Physiotherapy
• Radiation Science
• Biokinetics
• Dietetics
• Sports Coaching

31 July 2026

• Nursing
• Social Work
• Architecture

31 August 2026

• All international undergraduate applications

30 September 2026

• Transfer students from other institutions
• All remaining undergraduate programmes (selection & non-selection)

Applicants should apply well before deadlines, especially for health-related programmes.

International Applicants: Requirements

International students must meet the following requirements:

• Obtain a valid study visa for South Africa (endorsed for UFS)
• Provide a Universities South Africa (USAf) Certificate of Exemption if they do not hold a South African National Senior Certificate
• Submit certified academic documents
• Submit predicted or mid-year results (for Cambridge or equivalent systems)

International postgraduate applicants must also provide:

• SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) certificate

Required Documents for Application

For Current Grade 12 Learners

• Final Grade 11 results OR
• June Grade 12 results

For Completed Grade 12 Applicants

• Final Grade 12 certificate

For Postgraduate Applicants

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Supporting documents

Important Notes

• Maximum file size: 5 MB per document
• Documents should be correctly uploaded to avoid delays
• Missing or incorrect documents will delay processing

Submitting Results and Documents

• If applying with Grade 11 results, Grade 12 results must later be uploaded via the Self-Service portal
• Ensure all documents are accurate and complete
• Uploading incorrect information may delay your application

Monitoring Your Application Status

After submission:

• You will receive an acknowledgement email with your student number
• Updates will be sent via email
• You can check your status on:
  https://myapplication.ufs.ac.za/

Important:

• Application status will not be shared via phone calls
• Applicants must monitor their email regularly

Official Support Contacts (Emails & Help Channels)

Undergraduate Application Support

• Email: applications@ufs.ac.za
• WhatsApp: KovsieChat – 087 240 6370
• Phone: +27 (0)51 401 3000

Postgraduate Diploma & Honours Support

• Email: studentadmin@ufs.ac.za
• Phone: +27 (0)51 401 9111 (Option 1)

Master’s and Doctoral Applications

• Email: UFSPostgradAdmin@ufs.ac.za

International Applicants (Documents & Results)

• Email: oiastudentadmin@ufs.ac.za

Important Application Guidelines

• Only apply for programmes where you meet all requirements
• Ensure all uploaded documents are complete and accurate
• Keep your contact details updated
• Regularly check your email for updates
• Apply early for competitive programmes

Data Privacy and Compliance

The University of the Free State processes personal data in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Applicants’ data is securely stored and used for academic and administrative purposes.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all submitted information is accurate and up to date.

Click HERE to learn more about the University of the Free State (UFS) 2027 Applications.

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