{"id":25,"date":"2026-03-14T10:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T10:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-09-22T13:41:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T13:41:59","slug":"university-of-the-free-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/university-of-the-free-state\/","title":{"rendered":"University\u202fof\u202fthe\u202fFree\u202fState 2027 Admissions: How to Submit Your Application"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The University of the Free State (UFS), a public multi-campus university located in Bloemfontein, accepts online applications for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide explains how to apply, admission requirements, deadlines, and the documents you need, based on official UFS information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When can I apply to UFS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications for the <strong>2027 academic year<\/strong> open on <strong>1 April 2026<\/strong> through the UFS Online Application portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Undergraduate and postgraduate applications open at the same time using the same online portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the application deadlines?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Undergraduate applications close on different dates depending on the programme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Health-related and professional programmes<\/strong> (for example MBChB, Optometry, and Nursing): deadlines typically fall between <strong>31 May and 31 July 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Other undergraduate programmes:<\/strong> <strong>30 September 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>International undergraduate applicants:<\/strong> must submit their applications by <strong>31 August 2026<\/strong> through the UFS application portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Postgraduate application deadlines vary by faculty. Most close between <strong>30 September and 31 October 2026<\/strong>, although some departments may set earlier or programme-specific deadlines. Always check the relevant faculty page for confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the admission requirements?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Undergraduate applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants must have a <strong>National Senior Certificate (NSC)<\/strong>, <strong>IEB<\/strong>, or <strong>SACAI<\/strong> qualification that meets the university\u2019s admission standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your qualification differs, admission approval may be required through Universities South Africa (USAf). Exemption must be arranged before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Programme-specific subject requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some fields such as Engineering or Health Sciences require particular subject results and minimum performance levels. The official UFS prospectus provides detailed requirements for each programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Postgraduate applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants must submit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Academic transcripts<br>Degree certificates<br>A <strong>SAQA evaluation<\/strong> for foreign qualifications<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Postgraduate programmes are <strong>selection-based<\/strong> and may require research proposals, motivation letters, or interviews depending on the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I submit my application online?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications are submitted online through the UFS application system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit <strong>apply.ufs.ac.za<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create an application account<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete all stages of the application process (including study choices, personal information, and document uploads)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accept the declaration and submit the application<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Undergraduate applicants may choose <strong>up to two study options<\/strong>. After submitting the application, it is usually not possible to add additional programme choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What documents must I upload?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Current Grade 12 learners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upload your <strong>final Grade 11 results<\/strong> or <strong>June Grade 12 results<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applicants who already completed matric or studied elsewhere<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upload:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Final NSC certificate<br>Academic transcripts<br>Records from any previous tertiary studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>International applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upload:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Certified copy of your passport<br>SAQA evaluation certificate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UFS does not require documents to be certified if the uploaded files are clear and <strong>smaller than 3 MB per file<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there an application fee?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of the Free State does <strong>not charge an application fee<\/strong>. Applying through the UFS online portal is completely <strong>free<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will I receive application updates?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation message with your <strong>reference or student number<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admission decisions are made based on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Final <strong>Grade 12 results<\/strong> for school applicants<br>Academic records for transfer or postgraduate applicants<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The university normally communicates updates through <strong>email or SMS<\/strong>. You can also check your application status through the UFS <strong>Self-Service portal<\/strong> at <strong>myapplication.ufs.ac.za<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002500\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">When does UFS open applications?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Applications open on <strong>1 April 2026<\/strong> via <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.ufs.ac.za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">apply.ufs.ac.za<\/a> for the 2027 academic year.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002501\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the closing date for undergraduates?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Most undergraduate programmes close on <strong>30 September 2026<\/strong>. Selective programmes may close earlier, and international applicants must apply by <strong>31 August 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002502\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is there an application fee?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. The University of the Free State does not charge an application fee. All applications are submitted free of charge.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002503\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What documents are required?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Applicants must upload Grade 11 or Grade 12 results, academic transcripts (if applicable), a passport for international applicants, and a SAQA certificate for foreign qualifications if required.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002504\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I select multiple programmes?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Applicants may choose up to <strong>two study options<\/strong> during the application process. These choices usually cannot be changed after submission.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002505\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do I need USAf approval?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If your qualification is not a recognised NSC, IEB, or SACAI qualification, you may need to obtain matriculation exemption through USAf before applying.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002506\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How can I check my application status?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Log in to <a href=\"https:\/\/myapplication.ufs.ac.za\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">myapplication.ufs.ac.za<\/a> or check your email and SMS notifications for updates.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002507\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">When will I receive an admission decision?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Admission decisions are based on final school results or academic records and are issued after the university verifies all submitted documents.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002508\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can transfer students apply?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Transfer applicants must upload their full tertiary academic transcripts and certificates from previous institutions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1790000002509\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Are postgraduate programmes selection-based?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. All postgraduate programmes are selection-based and may require additional documents such as proposals, research plans, or motivation letters.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of the Free State (UFS), a public multi-campus university located in Bloemfontein, accepts online applications for both undergraduate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_ba_keyfacts":"","_ba_provider_contact":"","_ba_provider_name":"","_ba_provider_type":"","_ba_provider_cat":"","_ba_writer":"pieter-van-der-merwe","_ba_reviewer":"naledi-khumalo","iawp_total_views":1175,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":893,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}