South African Universities Prospectus 2026

The best way to get information on any school as a prospective student is by requesting for a prospectus or brochure. We have done the hard work for you. We have gathered prospectus and brochures for all universities and Colleges throughout South Africa.

Making a band decision in education will probably have a long term effect on your life. This website is an attempt to help students make the right decisions by making prospectus available in pdf format for reading online or downloading for offline use.

Every year, we update our database with the latest prospectus as released by the various universities and colleges.

To read or download a prospectus, just select your school of interest and get the pdf.

Following are the Private Universities and Colleges in South Africa-

I PASSED MATRIC. WHAT NOW?

Well done, you passed? You’re at a point in your life where you need to make big decisions and start a new chapter in your life. Don’t stress too much. It’s entirely normal to not have a plan (just in case you don’t have one), just yet, and most people don’t have an exact plan. If you do have one, you’re one of the lucky ones. Nonetheless, there are many options out there for matriculants. Once again, what you eventually do decide to do also depends on what level you passed your matric with.

Passed with a Bachelor’s Certificate Pass?

With this qualification you can study anywhere you want to. Although, this is also dependent on what your marks look like. With a Bachelor’s Certificate Pass you can apply at a university, a college or go straight into a job. In the end it is all up to what you want to study and what you can afford. The one thing to keep in mind when applying to an institution is that each institution has minimum mark requirements and you must achieve these marks to be accepted into the institution.

Passed with a Diploma Pass?

If you passed with a diploma pass, you can go to any college to get a diploma certificate or to a university which offers diplomas. Some universities, like Cape Peninsula University of Technology, offer diploma courses with an optional year to get a degree if you achieved well academically with your diploma certificate.

Passed with a Higher Certificate Pass?

The Higher Certificate Pass is slightly trickier. With this pass you can only study at colleges that offer higher certificate courses. There may be ways to get higher qualifications once you have completed those, but that is circumstantial and you would have to contact an advisor at your college to help you figure out a plan to get a higher qualification, if that is your goal.

Other Options

If you want to go straight into doing a degree but you didn’t achieve a Bachelor’s Certificate Pass – there’s still hope! You can do a bridging course through a public or private school, as well as tertiary institutions. This will allow you to improve your marks and will replace the marks you were not happy with.

Other options are to find a job or do a gap year if you are indecisive about your future. A gap year can be a great experience and learning curve if you choose to do it. Yet the down sides of a gap year is the expense. Nonetheless, either way, if you go straight into a job or take a gap year, you can still figure out what you want to become, gain skills, figure out what you don’t like and what would be a good choice for your future from a practical and theoretical experience.

If you are interested in studying further, take a look at our courses and colleges page to take a look into your options.

2026 Sol Plaatje University SPU Prospectus

University of the Free State Prospectus

2026 University of Johannesburg UJ Undergraduate Prospectus

2026 Mpumalanga University Prospectus

2026 University of Limpopo Prospectus

2026 University of Cape Town Postgraduate Prospectus

2026 University of Cape Town Application Undergraduate Prospectus

TUT Postgraduate Studies prospectus 2020

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Sponsored Guide

Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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