University of the Witwatersrand Application 2027 & How to Apply

Published 09/18/2026

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is one of South Africa’s major universities and offers undergraduate programmes across areas including Commerce, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Science and Health Sciences.

Key Application Dates

Estimated 2027 Opening and Closing Deadlines

The 2027 Wits application dates have been published, so applicants should use the official dates rather than estimates from previous admission cycles.

Wits 2027 undergraduate application dates:

Applications opened: March 2026
30 June 2026: Health Sciences programmes, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and Television
31 July 2026: Bachelor of Architectural Studies application exercise/portfolio deadline
30 September 2026: All other undergraduate programmes
30 September 2026: Wits residence applications
Application fee: R100
Maximum undergraduate programme choices: Three

Wits advises applicants to apply before the applicable closing date and to keep their study options open, particularly for programmes with limited places.

Some programmes also have additional selection requirements. For example, applicants to certain programmes may need to complete NBTs, portfolios, auditions, interviews or other exercises. These requirements can have deadlines separate from the general university application deadline.

Important: If you are applying to Wits, do not assume that 30 September applies to every programme. Always check the deadline for your specific qualification.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

How to Submit Your Application Online

Wits applications are completed online through the university’s official application system.

Official Wits application website:
Wits Undergraduate Applications – Official Website

The application process consists of applying online, paying the application fee, uploading supporting documents and submitting the completed application. Wits then acknowledges the application and applicants can monitor their status through the Student Self-Service Portal.

Step 1: Research Your Programme

Before starting your application, identify the undergraduate qualification you want to study.

Check the official Wits programme information for:

Programme name
Programme code
Faculty
Campus/study information
Application closing date
Any additional selection requirements
Any portfolio, audition, interview or NBT requirements

This is particularly important because Wits has different deadlines for different programmes.

Step 2: Decide on Your Three Study Choices

Wits allows applicants to apply for a maximum of three undergraduate programmes.

The university states that the order of your choices does not matter.

When choosing your programmes:

Select your preferred qualification.
Consider a second suitable programme.
Use the third choice strategically.
Check the closing date for each programme.
Check whether any programme has additional selection requirements.

Wits also advises applicants applying for two programmes within the same faculty to consider keeping another option open in a less restricted faculty such as Humanities, Commerce or Science.

Step 3: Start the Online Application

Go to the official Wits application page and select the application option for undergraduate study.

Use your own information when completing the application.

Wits states that applicants must complete their own applications and accept the university’s legal declaration and undertaking. The university also states that it will not engage with third-party agents facilitating applications on behalf of applicants.

Step 4: Enter Your Personal Information

Complete your personal information carefully.

Use your name exactly as it appears on your South African ID document or passport. Wits specifically advises applicants not to use initials or nicknames.

Check the following information carefully:

Full name
Surname
ID number or passport number
Date of birth
Citizenship
Email address
Cellphone number
Residential/contact information
School information

Use an active email address because Wits uses electronic communication to provide application updates.

Step 5: Enter Your Academic Information

Enter your school and academic information as requested.

If you are currently in Grade 12, use your available school results.

Wits uses applicants’ reported Grade 11 results for initial assessment, with final decisions based on official matric results.

If you have already completed matric, enter your final school-leaving information.

If you attended another university or tertiary institution, provide the relevant previous-study information.

Step 6: Select Your Programmes

Enter your programme choices carefully.

Before proceeding, check:

Programme name
Programme code
Faculty
Closing date
Additional selection requirements

Remember that Wits allows a maximum of three programme choices for undergraduate applicants.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete all required sections and review the information before submitting.

Make sure your:

Personal details are correct
Programme choices are correct
Academic information is accurate
Contact details are active
Application fee has been paid
Supporting documents are ready or uploaded

Do not leave the application until the final day if you can avoid it.

Step 8: Pay the R100 Application Fee

Wits requires an application fee of R100.

The university states that the fee must be paid before the relevant application closing date.

There are two main ways to pay.

Online through the Self-Service Portal:

Log into the Wits Self-Service Portal.
Open the Campus Finances tile.
Select Make a Payment.
Choose Application Fee.
Complete the payment process.

By bank deposit/EFT:

Wits provides the following application-fee account:

Bank: First National Bank
Account name: Wits University – Application Fees
Account number: 6307 5484 302
Branch code: 251905
SWIFT: FIRNZAJJ for international payments
Reference: Use your person/student number only

Wits specifically instructs applicants to use their person/student number as the payment reference.

Step 9: Upload Supporting Documents

Wits allows applicants to upload supporting documents during the application process.

If you have already submitted the application, documents can also be uploaded through the Student Self-Service Portal.

Wits directs applicants to:

Documents and Communications → Manage Documents

for uploading outstanding documents after submitting an application.

Make sure your documents are clear, complete and correctly labelled.

Step 10: Check Your Application Status

After submitting your application, Wits acknowledges the application.

You can monitor your application through the Student Self-Service Portal.

Wits recommends that applicants regularly check the portal for:

Application status
Outstanding documents
University communications
Application decisions
Other instructions

Required Supporting Documents

The documents required depend on your applicant category.

Current Grade 12 Applicants

Current matriculants should prepare:

Final Grade 11 results
South African ID
Any additional programme-specific documentation

Wits specifically states that current matric applicants should upload their final Grade 11 results, with no hardcopy required.

Your final Grade 12 results will subsequently be used in the final assessment process.

Gap-Year and Already Matriculated Applicants

If you completed matric before 2026, prepare:

Certified copies of your matric certificates
South African ID
Relevant academic records if you previously attended another tertiary institution
Other documents required for your specific programme

Wits requires already-matriculated applicants to upload certified copies of their matric certificates or relevant foreign school-leaving certificates.

Applicants Who Previously Attended Another University

If you have studied at another tertiary institution, Wits requires additional documentation.

Prepare:

Certified official academic records from all tertiary registrations
Certificate/statement of good conduct
Relevant academic documentation
Your matric certificate
South African ID or passport

Wits states that academic records should cover all tertiary registrations, even where a qualification was not completed. The records should also include evidence of good behavioural and financial standing.

Do not leave out a previous university simply because you did not complete the qualification.

International Applicants

International applicants should prepare:

Valid passport
Foreign school-leaving certificate
Academic transcripts
Certified documentation where required
Relevant matriculation-exemption documentation
Additional documents required by Wits or the relevant faculty

Wits states that international applicants with foreign qualifications must refer to its specific international-student information. Foreign school-leaving results must meet the relevant matriculation exemption requirements.

International applicants should begin this process early because foreign qualification evaluation and immigration requirements can take additional time.

Grade 11 and Grade 12 Results

For current Grade 12 applicants, the important document at the initial application stage is the final Grade 11 report/results.

Wits uses the reported final Grade 11 results for initial assessment and subsequently considers the official final matric results.

If you have already matriculated, you should instead provide your final matric certificate as required.

What About Proof of Address?

Proof of address is not listed by Wits as a standard supporting document for every undergraduate application.

Applicants should therefore not assume that they need to upload a municipal bill, bank statement or other proof of residence simply because another university requests it.

Wits’ undergraduate application document instructions focus on documents such as:

Grade 11 results
Matric certificates
ID/passport
Academic records
Certificates of good conduct
Other programme-specific documentation

If Wits specifically requests proof of address for your individual application or another administrative process, provide the document requested.

Do not confuse admission/application documents with documents that might later be required for:

Student accommodation
Financial aid
Student finance
Other university administration

Application Fee & Payment Details

How Much Is the Wits Application Fee?

For undergraduate applicants, the Wits application fee is:

R100

The fee must be paid before the applicable application deadline.

Is the Wits Application Free?

No.

Unlike universities that offer free applications, Wits requires a R100 undergraduate application fee.

Applicants should therefore include the fee in their application preparation and make sure the payment is completed before the closing date.

How to Pay Online

The easiest method is through the Wits Self-Service Portal:

Log into the portal.
Select Campus Finances.
Select Make a Payment.
Choose Application Fee.
Pay the required R100.
Keep your payment confirmation.

How to Pay by EFT or Bank Deposit

Wits provides the following account for application fees:

Bank: First National Bank
Account: Wits University – Application Fees
Account number: 6307 5484 302
Branch code: 251905
International SWIFT: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: Your person/student number only

Important: Do not use your name as the payment reference if Wits instructs you to use your person/student number.

Are There Any Free Application Rules?

The standard undergraduate Wits application requires the R100 application fee.

Applicants should not assume that being a South African citizen, applying for financial aid or being a current matriculant automatically makes the application free.

If Wits publishes a specific fee waiver or exemption for a particular applicant category, follow the university’s current instructions.

What Happens After You Apply?

After Wits receives your application, the university acknowledges the application and assigns an Admissions Consultant to handle the application. Applicants can monitor progress through the Self-Service Portal.

You should regularly check your portal for:

Application status
Requests for additional documents
Communication from Wits
Firm offers
Waitlist information
Other application instructions

Wits notes that places are limited. If you receive a firm offer, you can accept only one offer and must accept it and register before the deadline specified in the offer letter or SMS.

What If You Miss the Wits 2027 Application Deadline?

The most important step is to check the deadline for your specific programme.

For 2027, the major deadlines were:

30 June 2026: Health Sciences, Architecture, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and Television
30 September 2026: Other undergraduate programmes

If you miss the relevant deadline, take the following steps.

1. Check the Official Wits Website

Visit the official Wits undergraduate application page and look for any announcement concerning:

Extensions
Reopened applications
Programme-specific changes
Late application instructions

Do not rely on WhatsApp groups or unofficial social-media posts for confirmation.

2. Check Whether Your Programme Is Still Open

A missed deadline for one programme does not necessarily mean that every Wits programme has closed.

However, only apply to a different programme if the official Wits system confirms that applications for that programme remain open.

3. Contact the Wits Student Call Centre

If you experienced a technical problem or believe your application was affected by an administrative issue, contact Wits directly.

Wits Student Call Centre:

Telephone: +27 (0)11 717 1888
Email: ask.wits@wits.ac.za

When contacting Wits, provide your:

4. Do Not Submit a Duplicate Application

If you change your mind about your programme choice, Wits specifically instructs applicants not to submit a new application.

Instead, if applications are still open for the new programme, amend your study choices through the Self-Service Portal.

This is especially important if you have already received a person/student number.

5. Do Not Pay Unofficial Agents

Be careful with individuals who claim they can arrange a late Wits application for money.

Wits explicitly states that applicants must complete their own applications and that the university does not engage with third-party agents facilitating applications.

Use official Wits channels only.

6. Consider Alternative Options

If Wits confirms that your programme is closed and no official late application opportunity exists, consider other universities or qualifications that still have open application periods.

You can also use the time to prepare for the next application cycle.

Wits Application 2027 Checklist

Before submitting your application, make sure you have:

Checked the Wits 2027 programme information
Confirmed the closing date for your specific programme
Selected up to three undergraduate programmes
Prepared your South African ID or passport
Prepared your final Grade 11 results if you are currently in Grade 12
Prepared certified matric certificates if you have already matriculated
Prepared previous tertiary academic records if applicable
Prepared a certificate of good conduct if you previously studied at another tertiary institution
Checked international qualification requirements if applying from outside South Africa
Checked for programme-specific requirements such as NBTs, portfolios, auditions or interviews
Completed the online application yourself
Paid the R100 application fee
Uploaded the required supporting documents
Kept your person/student number
Saved proof of payment
Checked the Self-Service Portal regularly
Saved all communication from Wits

The most important thing is to apply before the deadline for your specific programme rather than waiting for the general closing date. For the 2027 intake, several high-demand programmes closed on 30 June 2026, while most other undergraduate programmes closed on 30 September 2026.

If you are preparing for a future Wits application cycle, start collecting your documents early, monitor the official Wits application page and avoid paying unofficial agents who promise guaranteed admission.

Posted in: Application

Tagged: University of the Witwatersrand Application

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