The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of South Africa’s major public universities and attracts applications from South African matriculants, gap-year students and international applicants.
For students planning to study at UP in the 2027 academic year, applying early is particularly important because the university states that its study programmes are number-limited. The university encourages prospective students to submit applications as soon as applications open.
This guide explains the University of Pretoria 2027 application dates, online application process, supporting documents, application fee and what to do if you miss the deadline.
Key Application Dates
Estimated 2027 Opening and Closing Deadlines
The University of Pretoria has published the official dates for the 2027 undergraduate application cycle:
- Applications opened: 1 April 2026
- Veterinary Science applications close: 31 May 2026
- All other undergraduate applications close: 30 June 2026
UP confirms that these dates apply to the 2027 undergraduate application cycle.
Important: The 30 June 2026 deadline is not a general September or October deadline. Students applying for most undergraduate programmes should have submitted their applications by this date.
Applicants interested in Veterinary Science had an earlier closing date of 31 May 2026.
Some postgraduate programmes have their own application deadlines, so postgraduate applicants should check the specific programme information rather than using the undergraduate deadlines.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
How to Submit Your Application Online
Applications to the University of Pretoria should be submitted online through the university’s official application system.
Official University of Pretoria application website:
University of Pretoria Online Application
UP’s 2027 application information confirms that prospective students should apply online and that applications open on 1 April 2026.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official UP application website
Go to the University of Pretoria’s official Online Application page.
Select the option to start your study application.
Avoid third-party websites that claim to process UP applications.
Step 2: Start a new application
Follow the instructions on the application portal to begin your application.
You will be allocated a temporary application number during the process. Keep this number safe because it may be required when communicating with UP or making your application-fee payment.
Step 3: Enter your personal information
Complete your personal details carefully.
Prepare:
- Full name and surname
- South African ID number or passport number
- Date of birth
- Citizenship
- Email address
- Cellphone number
- Residential information
Make sure your information corresponds with your official identification document or passport.
Step 4: Provide your school information
Current Grade 12 learners should provide details of their current school.
Gap-year applicants should provide details of the school where they completed Grade 12.
Check that the information you enter corresponds with your academic records.
Step 5: Enter your academic results
Current Grade 12 applicants should apply using their final Grade 11 results or equivalent results, as instructed by UP.
Applicants who have already completed Grade 12 should provide their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
UP’s 2027 undergraduate prospectus specifically instructs applicants to have their final Grade 11 examination report available when starting the online application.
Step 6: Select your programme
Choose the qualification you want to study.
Check the programme name carefully before submitting your application.
Some programmes have earlier closing dates or additional application processes, so check the programme information before finalising your choice.
Step 7: Complete programme-specific sections
Certain programmes may require additional information, selection material, portfolios or other submissions.
If your chosen programme has an additional application or selection process, complete it according to the relevant faculty’s instructions.
Step 8: Prepare your supporting documents
Before submitting the application, prepare the required documents as separate electronic files.
UP’s 2027 prospectus specifically asks applicants to have:
- A scanned PDF copy of the final Grade 11 examination report showing the promotion mark
- A scanned PDF copy of the ID or birth certificate
- A scanned PDF copy of proof of payment of the application fee, if payment was made through a bank
UP states that these documents do not need to be certified for this online application process. The documents should be scanned separately, correctly labelled, free of special characters in the file names and not password-protected.
Step 9: Upload your documents
Upload each document into the appropriate section of the application system.
Make sure:
- The scan is clear
- The entire document is visible
- The file is not password-protected
- The document is uploaded in the correct section
- The filename does not contain special characters
Step 10: Pay the application fee
Pay the applicable application fee during the online application process or through one of UP’s alternative payment methods.
For 2027, the standard application fee is R300.
Step 11: Review your application
Before submitting, carefully check:
- Personal information
- Contact details
- Academic results
- Programme selection
- Supporting documents
- Application-fee information
Correct any errors before proceeding.
Step 12: Verify and submit
UP’s application-fee instructions emphasise that applicants must complete the final verification and click Apply.
Simply saving your application is not enough.
Make sure the application has been formally submitted.
Step 13: Save your application information
Keep your temporary application number, payment confirmation and copies of your submitted documents.
UP advises applicants to check their application status and communication regularly through the UP Student Portal.
Required Supporting Documents
The exact documentation can vary depending on your applicant category and qualification.
For a typical South African undergraduate application, prepare:
- Final Grade 11 examination report showing the promotion mark
- South African ID document or birth certificate
- Proof of payment of the application fee, if you paid through a bank
- Final Grade 12/NSC results if you have already completed matric
- Academic records if you previously studied at another tertiary institution
- Additional documents required by a particular programme, where applicable
UP’s 2027 undergraduate prospectus specifically states that the standard application documents should be scanned separately as PDFs and that certification is not required for those documents.
Grade 11 Results
If you are currently in Grade 12, prepare your final Grade 11 examination report.
UP uses the Grade 11 results for the initial application process, while final admission is based on the applicant’s final Grade 12 results.
Before uploading the report, make sure:
- Your name is clearly visible
- All subjects and marks are readable
- The promotion mark is included
- The document is complete
- The scan is clear
Grade 12 Results
If you have already completed matric, prepare your final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Gap-year applicants should use their final school-leaving results when completing their application.
UP’s programme information confirms that applicants who have completed Grade 12 should apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Current Grade 12 learners should follow UP’s instructions regarding the submission of their final results once they become available.
Gap-Year Applicants
If you completed matric previously and are applying during a gap year, prepare:
- South African ID
- Final Grade 12 results
- National Senior Certificate or equivalent
- Previous academic record if you attended another tertiary institution
- Proof of application-fee payment where applicable
Make sure your academic information is entered exactly as it appears on your official records.
Proof of Address Rules
A general proof-of-address document is not listed among the standard supporting documents for a typical South African undergraduate application in UP’s 2027 application instructions.
Therefore, do not use proof of address as a substitute for your ID, birth certificate or academic results.
If UP specifically requests proof of address for your particular application or another administrative process, provide a recent document showing:
- Your full name
- Residential address
- Relevant date or issue information
Always follow the instructions displayed by UP for your specific applicant category.
International Applicants
International applicants should prepare their documentation well in advance.
Depending on your qualification and country of education, you may need:
- Valid passport
- International school-leaving certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Certified or officially verified academic documents where required
- Proof of qualification equivalence or other international-qualification documentation where applicable
- English-language documentation where required
- Additional documents specified in the International Undergraduate Prospectus
UP provides a separate International Undergraduate Prospectus 2027 for applicants whose school-leaving qualifications were not issued by Umalusi in South Africa.
International applicants should also allow enough time for any required qualification evaluation, immigration documentation and study-permit arrangements.
Application Fee & Payment Details
For the 2027 application cycle, the standard University of Pretoria application fee is:
- Application fee: R300
- Fee status: Non-refundable
UP also provides an application-fee exemption for applicants whose household income is R150,000 or less per year.
Applicants who qualify for the exemption must upload proof of household income in the relevant payment section of the online application. UP states that these documents will be verified.
Applicants whose household income is above R150,000 can pay using:
- Online credit card payment
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Bank deposit
For bank payments, UP provides the following account:
- Bank: Standard Bank
- Branch: Hatfield
- Branch code: 011545
- Account number: 012602604
- SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ
When making a bank payment, use your UP Online Study Application Number, typically beginning with T followed by seven digits, as the payment reference. Keep the proof of payment and upload it as a PDF with your supporting documents.
Important: The application fee is a handling fee and is not refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful.
What If You Miss the University of Pretoria 2027 Application Deadline?
The standard 2027 undergraduate deadlines were:
- Veterinary Science: 31 May 2026
- All other undergraduate programmes: 30 June 2026
UP states that all undergraduate programmes are number-limited and encourages students to apply as soon as applications open.
If you missed the deadline, take these steps:
1. Check the official UP website
Visit the official application page and check whether there is any announcement affecting your specific programme.
Do not assume that the university has extended the deadline.
2. Contact UP directly
Contact the University of Pretoria Student Service Centre if you need clarification about your application.
- Telephone: 012 420 3111
Use your application number when contacting the university if you already submitted an application.
3. Do not pay unofficial agents
Be cautious of anyone claiming they can reopen a closed application or guarantee admission in exchange for payment.
Only follow instructions provided through official UP channels.
4. Check your specific programme
Some postgraduate programmes have different deadlines from the general undergraduate application cycle. For example, certain 2027 postgraduate programmes have deadlines later in 2026.
If you are applying for postgraduate study, check the relevant faculty or programme page rather than relying on the undergraduate deadline.
5. Consider other universities
If UP is no longer accepting applications for your chosen undergraduate programme, consider other South African universities whose 2027 applications remain open.
6. Prepare for the next application cycle
If no official late-application opportunity exists, use the additional time to organise your documents, improve your results where possible and prepare an early application for the next cycle.
Final University of Pretoria 2027 Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, make sure you have:
- Checked the correct UP application deadline
- Noted the 31 May 2026 Veterinary Science deadline
- Noted the 30 June 2026 deadline for other undergraduate programmes
- Created your online UP application
- Provided accurate personal information
- Prepared your final Grade 11 examination report
- Prepared your South African ID or birth certificate
- Prepared your final Grade 12 results if you have already completed matric
- Prepared previous academic records where applicable
- Checked international-qualification requirements if applicable
- Checked whether you qualify for the application-fee exemption
- Paid the R300 application fee if required
- Saved your proof of payment
- Uploaded all required documents as separate PDFs
- Checked that files are not password-protected
- Verified the application
- Clicked the final Apply/Submit option
- Saved your application number
- Checked the UP Student Portal regularly
- Monitored your email for communication from UP
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