Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 31 August 2026
- Provider
- UFS Star of Stars
- Study level
- High school
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2027 competition has effectively closed.
VerifiedClosed · applications closed on 31 August 2026 Entries for the 2027 Star of Stars competition closed on 31 August 2026. The 2026 round opened on 1 April; check the UFS Star of Stars page for the next round. Latest update ↓
The University of the Free State’s Star of Stars competition celebrates top Grade 12 learners from under-resourced Free State schools. It rewards marks, leadership and community service with prizes, mentoring and a place at a winners’ camp.
About the UFS Star of Stars Competition
- For Grade 12 learners who have applied to study at UFS, in any field.
- Judged on academic performance, leadership and community involvement.
- Prizes, mentoring and an induction camp for the top 10 winners.
Who can enter
- Grade 12 learner at a Quintile 1, 2 or 3 public school in the Free State.
- Living in Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Motheo, Thabo Mofutsanyana or Xhariep.
- Applied to study at UFS for the following year.
How to enter
- Apply to study at UFS through ufs.ac.za before your programme’s closing date.
- Enter the Star of Stars competition on the UFS website when it opens, usually mid-year.
- Submit your results, leadership and community involvement details before the deadline.
Closing date
The 2027 competition has closed. The 2026 edition closed on 31 August 2025.
Contact details
- UFS student administration: studentadmin@ufs.ac.za
Free State learners should also see the Free State government bursaries, the NSFAS bursary and the Thebe Foundation scholarship.
FAQs
1. Is the Star of Stars competition still open for 2027? +
The 2027 competition has effectively closed. Under the official rules the top 20 finalists are announced at the end of September 2026, so entries had to be in before then, following last year's 31 August deadline. Grade 11 learners should prepare for the 2028 competition.
2. What is Star of Stars? +
A University of the Free State competition that recognises top Grade 12 learners from under-resourced Free State schools for academic performance, leadership and community involvement.
3. Who can enter? +
Grade 12 learners at Quintile 1, 2 or 3 public schools in the Free State's five districts who have applied to study at UFS the following year, in any field.
4. What do winners get? +
Finalists receive prizes delivered to their schools, exposure, academic advice and mentoring. The top 10 winners attend an all-expenses-paid induction camp.
5. When are winners announced? +
The top 20 at the end of September 2026, and the top 10 after the Grade 12 results come out in January 2027.
6. How do I enter next year? +
Apply to study at UFS first, then enter the competition through the UFS website before the closing date, usually around the end of August.
Update note (checked September 2026): Entries for the Star of Stars competition for 2027 UFS students opened on 1 April 2026 and closed on 31 August 2026. It is open to Grade 12 learners from Quintile 1 to 3 schools. Source: ufs.ac.za.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
Visit the provider’s website