{"id":304,"date":"2026-02-15T11:31:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T11:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/?p=304"},"modified":"2026-02-15T11:31:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T11:31:52","slug":"applying-to-sa-universities-for-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/applying-to-sa-universities-for-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Step-by-Step Guide: Applying to SA Universities for 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Applying to South African universities for 2027 requires proper planning, correct APS calculation, and accurate document uploads. Many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/category\/applications\/\" data-type=\"category\" data-id=\"12\">applications<\/a> are delayed or rejected because students misunderstand APS rules or upload the wrong files. This guide explains the full process step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Understand Admission Requirements First<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you apply to any university, check the official programme requirements. Each course has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimum APS score<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Required subjects (for example Mathematics or Physical Sciences)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum subject marks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Possible additional tests or portfolios<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not apply blindly. Match your results to the programme criteria first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Know What APS Means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>APS stands for Admission Point Score. It is the points total universities use to measure your Grade 12 performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each subject mark is converted into points. Your best subjects are added together to produce your APS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical APS scale used by many SA universities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Marks<\/th><th>APS Points<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>80\u2013100<\/td><td>7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>70\u201379<\/td><td>6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>60\u201369<\/td><td>5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>50\u201359<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>40\u201349<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30\u201339<\/td><td>2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>0\u201329<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most universities count your best six subjects. Some include Life Orientation at a lower value or exclude it entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always check the university\u2019s own APS formula because small differences exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Calculate Your APS Correctly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use your Grade 11 final results or latest Grade 12 results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Convert each subject percentage into APS points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the best six subjects (based on university rules).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add the points together.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compare the total with your programme\u2019s minimum APS.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>English \u2013 72% \u2192 6 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mathematics \u2013 65% \u2192 5 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical Science \u2013 61% \u2192 5 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geography \u2013 70% \u2192 6 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Life Science \u2013 68% \u2192 5 points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accounting \u2013 63% \u2192 5 points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>APS = 32<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Choose Programmes Strategically<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply for multiple programmes, not just one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recommended approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First choice: your preferred degree<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Second choice: related alternative<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Third choice: safer backup option<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Different programmes have different APS cutoffs even within the same university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Track 2027 Application Opening Dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For 2027 intake, most South African universities will open applications around:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>August\u2013September 2026 (typical pattern)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Closing dates vary by programme<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Competitive degrees close earlier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not wait for final closing dates \u2014 popular courses fill early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Create Your Online Application Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most SA universities use online portals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Valid email address<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ID number or passport number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academic records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Create your login credentials and verify your email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 7: Complete the Application Form Properly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fill in all fields accurately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal details must match your ID<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School subjects and marks must be correct<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Programme codes must match your choices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact details must be active<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorrect data causes processing delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 8: Document Upload Requirements (Critical Step)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where many applicants make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Required Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most universities require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certified copy of ID or passport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certified Grade 11 results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Latest Grade 12 results (if available)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Final Grade 12 certificate (if already completed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of application fee payment (if required)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Programme-specific documents (portfolio, CV, motivation letter \u2014 if requested)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 9: How to Upload Documents Correctly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow this exact process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scan documents clearly (not photos of papers on a table).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use PDF format whenever possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure certification stamp is visible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>File size must meet portal limits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Name files clearly:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ID_Name_Surname.pdf<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grade11_Results.pdf<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Upload each document in the correct upload slot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm upload status shows \u201csuccessful\u201d or \u201creceived.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Blurry scans are often rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 10: Certification Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Certified copies usually must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be stamped by a commissioner of oaths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be recent (often within 3 months \u2014 depends on institution)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show the full page clearly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not cut off edges or stamps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Never upload uncertified copies unless the portal explicitly allows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 11: Application Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some universities charge a non-refundable application fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Payment methods usually include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Card payment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EFT<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bank deposit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Always upload proof of payment if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No proof = delayed processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 12: After You Submit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After submission:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You receive a confirmation email or reference number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Documents are verified<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>APS is evaluated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Admission decision follows later<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Possible outcomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conditional offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Firm offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waiting list<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rejection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 13: Check Application Status Regularly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Log into the portal regularly to check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Document verification status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>APS evaluation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Admission decision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional requests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not assume silence means rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Application Mistakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wrong APS calculation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing subject requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uploading uncertified documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blurry scans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wrong programme codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Missing payment proof<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late submission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply early. Calculate APS accurately. Upload clean certified documents. Double-check every field before submitting. Most rejected or delayed applications fail because of basic document errors, not academic performance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applying to South African universities for 2027 requires proper planning, correct APS calculation, and accurate document uploads. Many applications are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":55,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-applications"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=304"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":305,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304\/revisions\/305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/universities\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}