Applying to university costs money, usually between R100 and R300 per application. If you’re applying to four or five universities to boost your chances, that adds up fast, especially if you’re covering it yourself.
The good news: several universities in South Africa still let you apply online for free. This list covers exactly which ones, what they offer, and what’s changed for the 2027 application cycle, because a few universities that used to be free now charge a fee.
Universities in South Africa With Free Online Applications
This list can change year to year, so always double-check the fee on the university’s official portal before you submit. Here’s what’s confirmed free for 2027 applications.
University of South Africa (UNISA)
UNISA is Africa’s largest open distance learning institution, with over 300,000 students including learners from more than 130 countries. Application is free, and so is the flexibility — you study remotely, at your own pace, alongside work or other commitments.
UNISA applications for 2027 typically open around August/September 2026 and close in November or December. Tip: don’t wait for the closing date. Popular modules fill up, and UNISA processes applications in the order they’re received.
If distance learning suits your situation, compare it against other options in our guide to distance learning universities in South Africa.
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
UJ remains one of the most popular universities in the country, with strong programmes in Commerce, Engineering, Law, and Education across nine faculties.
Applying online through UJ’s portal is completely free for the 2027 intake, which opened 1 April 2026 and closes 31 October 2026. The catch: if you submit a printed hardcopy form instead of applying online, you’ll pay a R200 handling fee. So always apply through the website, not on paper.
International applicants need a valid passport number, a working email address, and South African identification documents where applicable.
University of the Free State (UFS)
UFS, based in Bloemfontein, is known for strong research output and a genuine focus on inclusivity across its seven faculties. Undergraduate applications are free, and the 2027 cycle opened 1 April 2026, closing 30 September 2026.
Tip: UFS gets thousands of applications in the final month before closing. If your Grade 12 subjects and marks already meet a programme’s APS requirement, submit early rather than waiting for your final matric results.
North-West University (NWU)
NWU operates across three campuses — Mafikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vaal Triangle — and offers undergraduate, postgraduate, distance learning, and short course options. Online applications carry no fee.
This makes NWU a solid backup choice if you’re applying to multiple institutions and want to keep at least one campus-based option in the mix without adding to your costs.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
Based in Gqeberha, NMU is known for Health Sciences, Engineering, Business, and Humanities, and draws students from over 30 countries. Applications for South African students are free; international applicants pay a smaller fee, usually around R500.
NMU’s 2027 applications opened 13 April 2026, with multiple closing dates depending on your programme — the first cutoff falls as early as 30 June 2026, so check your specific course’s deadline rather than assuming you have until September.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
WSU, based in the Eastern Cape, focuses on career-driven programmes in science, technology, and development studies. Applications are free and must be submitted online, there’s no paper application route here.
If you’re weighing WSU against other affordable options, it’s worth reading our breakdown of the cheapest distance learning universities in South Africa as well.
Universities That Used to Be Free But Now Charge a Fee
If you’ve seen older articles listing Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University, or Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) as free options, that information is outdated.
For the 2027 intake: Rhodes now charges a non-refundable R100 application fee for all applicants. Stellenbosch also charges R100, though it does offer a Quintile 1–4 school fee exemption that many students qualify for without realising it — worth checking if you attended a no-fee school. TUT now charges R240, with no waivers currently advertised for NSFAS recipients or returning students.
Tip: if your matric school falls under Quintile 1 to 4, contact Stellenbosch’s admissions office directly to confirm your exemption before assuming you’ll be charged.
Why Applying for Free Actually Matters
Free applications aren’t just about saving money — they let you apply more broadly without financial stress narrowing your options.
If you’re on a tight budget, or waiting on student loan or NSFAS funding to come through, spreading your applications across free institutions means you’re not gambling your limited cash on one or two fee-charging universities and hoping for the best.
How to Apply Without Wasting Your Free Application
A free application is still a wasted application if you get the details wrong. Before you submit anywhere, confirm your APS score matches the programme’s minimum requirement — applying under-qualified just delays your year with a rejection.
Have your certified ID copy, matric results (or latest school report if you’re still in Grade 12), and proof of residence ready before you start. Most portals time out or lose progress if you leave the form half-finished while hunting for documents.
If you’re applying from outside South Africa, read through what to know before studying in South Africa first, since visa and study permit steps run on a separate timeline from your university application.
Your Next Step
Free online application in South Africa is still very much available.
Start with UNISA, UJ, and UFS if you want zero application cost. Add NWU, NMU, or WSU to widen your options. Then double-check every fee directly on the university’s own portal before you submit, since policies shift from one intake to the next.
