All 24 public universities on this site, grouped by province, from traditional universities to universities of technology. Each one lists its 2027 courses, APS and subject requirements, campuses and how to apply, so you can compare before you choose.
Course data last updated 28 August 20268 public universities with a campus in Gauteng, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Gauteng.
North-West University (NWU) is a multi-campus South African public university spanning Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark, offering a broad range of...
A large, multi-campus public university in Johannesburg offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across eight faculties.
Unisa is Africa's largest open distance learning university, offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications entirely by distance so students...
TUT is South Africa's largest residential university of technology, based in Pretoria, delivering career-oriented diplomas, higher certificates and...
One of South Africa's largest research-intensive universities, offering undergraduate and postgraduate study across nine faculties from its main campus in Hatfield...
Wits is a research-intensive public university in the heart of Johannesburg, drawing on its mining-school origins to offer highly competitive undergraduate...
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is a public university of technology in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, offering career-focused diplomas and a smaller number of...
SMU is South Africa's only stand-alone health sciences university, training doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals at its Ga-Rankuwa...
4 public universities with a campus in Western Cape, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Western Cape.
A comprehensive public university based in Gqeberha and George, South Africa, offering higher certificates through to doctoral degrees across seven faculties.
Stellenbosch University is a leading South African public research university based in the Western Cape, offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate...
UCT is South Africa's oldest university and a leading African research institution offering a broad range of undergraduate degrees across six faculties in Cape Town.
UWC is a public university based in Bellville, Cape Town, historically rooted in social justice and access to higher education, offering a broad range of...
3 public universities with a campus in KwaZulu-Natal, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban University of Technology is a multi-campus public university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal offering career-focused higher certificates, diplomas and...
UKZN is a large public research university spread across five campuses in KwaZulu-Natal, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through four academic...
The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is a comprehensive public university in KwaZulu-Natal offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across commerce...
4 public universities with a campus in Eastern Cape, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Eastern Cape.
A comprehensive public university based in Gqeberha and George, South Africa, offering higher certificates through to doctoral degrees across seven faculties.
A comprehensive public university in South Africa's Eastern Cape, offering career-focused diplomas and degrees from campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City...
A public university headquartered in Alice, Eastern Cape, with a major campus in East London, historically significant as one of Africa's oldest institutions of...
Rhodes University is a small, research-intensive public university in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, known for its close-knit residential community and strong...
1 public university with a campus in Free State, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Free State.
UFS is a public research-led university headquartered in Bloemfontein, offering undergraduate and postgraduate study across seven faculties on its Bloemfontein...
3 public universities with a campus in Limpopo, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Limpopo.
A public university in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across health sciences, humanities and education, commerce and...
TUT is South Africa's largest residential university of technology, based in Pretoria, delivering career-oriented diplomas, higher certificates and...
A public university based in Sovenga (Mankweng), Limpopo, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the faculties of Humanities, Management and Law...
2 public universities with a campus in Mpumalanga, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Mpumalanga.
TUT is South Africa's largest residential university of technology, based in Pretoria, delivering career-oriented diplomas, higher certificates and...
A public university based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, offering undergraduate programmes across agriculture and natural sciences, business and development studies...
1 public university with a campus in North West, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in North West.
North-West University (NWU) is a multi-campus South African public university spanning Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark, offering a broad range of...
1 public university with a campus in Northern Cape, listed with the most courses first. Open one for its 2027 admission requirements, APS guidance and application links. See every course offered in Northern Cape.
A public university based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, offering a growing range of undergraduate programmes across education, economic and management sciences...
These institutions teach by distance or have not published a campus address yet.
CPUT is a public university of technology in Cape Town offering career-focused diploma and degree programmes, with this prospectus covering its Faculty of Business...
Every qualification level on offer, with the number of courses listed on this site right now.
Choose the field you want to work in to see the careers it leads to and the courses that get you there.
Applications are free at some universities and cost a small fee at others. Applying early matters more than applying everywhere: popular courses fill long before the closing date.
Add the points for your best six subjects, excluding Life Orientation at most universities. Check the APS and the subject minimums for the exact course you want, not just for the university.
Apply to two or three universities and to more than one course at each, with a realistic backup. In KwaZulu-Natal several universities apply through the Central Applications Office, so one application can cover them.
You usually need a certified ID copy, your latest results, proof of payment of the application fee where there is one, and sometimes a portfolio, audition or a National Benchmark Test booking.
Apply to NSFAS or a bursary at the same time as your university application, and look at residence applications too, because places close quickly.
Compare your options before you apply. Every institution on this site lists its courses, entry requirements and how to apply.
South Africa has 26 public universities: traditional universities, universities of technology and comprehensive universities. This page lists the 24 covered on this site, with 2,756 of their courses for 2027.
A traditional university focuses on degrees and academic research. A university of technology focuses on career-directed diplomas and degrees with practical training and work-integrated learning. A comprehensive university offers both.
It depends on the course, not only the university. Most degrees ask for an APS of about 26 to 35 with specific subject levels, diplomas usually ask for about 18 to 24, and courses like medicine and engineering ask for far more. Each course page on this site lists the requirement.
Most public universities open applications between March and May and close between June and September for the following year, and some close earlier for courses with limited space. Check each university page, because late applications are only sometimes accepted.
Yes. Look at late applications and second-semester intakes at universities, and at TVET colleges and private colleges, which usually have more intakes per year. A higher certificate is also a legitimate route into a diploma or degree later.
NSFAS funds qualifying students at all 26 public universities and at public TVET colleges. You apply to NSFAS separately from your university application, and household income and academic performance decide whether you qualify.
