The University of Johannesburg (UJ) opened its 2027 application window on 1 April 2026, and applications remain open until 31 October 2026 at 12:00 noon for most undergraduate programmes. Online applications cost nothing for South African students. A manual, paper-based application is the only route that carries a fee, at R200.
This guide walks you through every key date you need to know, the application steps, and what your options are if you missed the main window.
Key Dates to Know
- Applications open: 1 April 2026
- General closing date (South African applicants): 31 October 2026, 12:00 noon
- International applicants: 30 September 2026, a month earlier than the general deadline
- Late applications: typically run from January through late February, but only for programmes with space still available once the main window closes
UJ runs on a rolling admissions basis rather than waiting for the deadline to start allocating places, so high-demand faculties, particularly Health Sciences, Engineering, and Education, routinely fill up and close well before October. Treat the published closing date as the latest possible cut-off, not a safe target to aim for.
Does UJ Accept Late Applications?
Officially, no. UJ’s main admissions page states clearly that undergraduate applications run from 1 April to 31 October, and “no late applications will be accepted.”
However, UJ separately operates a Late Application Enquiry System, which:
- Opens for a short window in mid-January (around 14–19 January in 2026).
- Lets you check whether your desired qualification, or an alternative one, still has space.
- Requires your UJ student number, Grade 12 examination number, or South African ID number to use.
- If you already have a UJ student number, you may need your iEnabler PIN and password as well.
- Only shows qualifications where applicants meet UJ’s minimum requirements and where space remains.
- Removes available qualifications from the list as soon as they reach capacity.
This is genuinely useful, but it is an enquiry and placement system, not a brand-new open application. If no space is available in your field, you cannot force an application through.
Step-by-Step UJ Application Process
Step 1: Choose Your Programme(s)
UJ allows only two application choices per academic year, and no changes are allowed once your application is submitted, so choose carefully.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Prepare your documents in advance.
Step 3: Register on the UJ Online Application Portal
Go to student.uj.ac.za (the applicant portal) and register using a valid South African ID number or, for international applicants, a passport number.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Provide your full names, contact details, and previous school or tertiary study information. Select your two programme choices carefully.
Step 5: Upload Your Documents
Upload your certified ID/passport, Grade 11 or Grade 12 results, and any other required documents directly on the application platform, or email them using your student number or application reference as the subject line.
Step 6: Pay the Application Fee (If Applicable)
Online applications are free. A non-refundable fee of R200 applies only to manual/paper-based applications.
Step 7: Submit and Track Your Application
After submission, log in to student.uj.ac.za with your ID/passport and PIN to track your application status as Admissions processes your file.
Once submitted, applications with Grade 11 results are typically assessed within a few weeks. If your marks meet requirements, UJ issues a Conditional Offer: acceptance contingent on maintaining or improving those results in your final exams. Check your status anytime through “Check Application Status” on the UJ website, using your student number and PIN.
Financial Aid
If you’re approved for NSFAS funding, UJ and NSFAS communicate directly about your status, and you won’t need to pay a registration fee when registration opens in early 2027. Apply for NSFAS separately through the official NSFAS website; it doesn’t happen automatically alongside your UJ application.