University of Johannesburg (UJ)

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is one of the largest public universities in South Africa. UJ is a comprehensive university, which means it offers vocational diplomas as well as academic degrees and postgraduate research, from engineering and art to law and health sciences.

Registered name

University of Johannesburg (UJ)

Type

Public comprehensive university

Fields funded

UJ-administered bursaries and partner-funded postgraduate awards

Website

uj.ac.za

Born from a merger

UJ was formed in 2005 by merging the Rand Afrikaans University, the Technikon Witwatersrand and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Bringing together an Afrikaans university, a technikon and campuses built for black students under apartheid created one of the most diverse student bodies in the country.

Four campuses

UJ teaches across four Johannesburg campuses: Auckland Park Kingsway, the largest; Auckland Park Bunting Road; Doornfontein, home to many engineering and health programmes; and Soweto. The campuses differ in character and in the programmes they host, so the campus you are placed on shapes daily travel and residence choices.

Funding at UJ

UJ administers bursaries through its financial aid office and faculties, and partners with outside funders. The Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA) funds master’s and doctoral students at UJ in fields linked to retail, with two closing dates a year: current postgraduates by 31 July and new enrolments by 31 October. The National Research Foundation also funds postgraduate researchers at UJ. BursariesAfrica tracks these alongside UJ’s own bursary information and its late enquiry process.

A noon deadline at UJ

UJ opened 2027 applications on 1 April 2026. For most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the standard closing date is 31 October 2026 at 12:00 noon, but some programmes in faculties such as engineering, education and humanities close earlier, and some postgraduate programmes close between June and September. Start with the APS guide below if you are unsure whether UJ counts Life Orientation.

Before you choose a UJ campus

UJ’s website blocked automated reading when BursariesAfrica checked on 15 September 2026, so confirm dates on UJ’s official pages in a browser. Note the noon deadline on 31 October, which catches applicants who assume they have until midnight. Postgraduates interested in retail, supply chain or consumer research should look closely at the W&RSETA bursary.

Students without funding can read our guide to how bursaries help students succeed.