How much is Wits application fee?

The application fee for the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa is R100 for South African citizens and R700 for foreign citizens. Please note that this fee is non-refundable.

Please apply online at www.wits.ac.za/applications

Currently enrolled Wits Students must apply via the Student Self Service Portal https://self-service.wits.ac.za

If you are not a currently enrolled student at Wits University, you must apply @ www.wits.ac.za/applications and select ‘Step 1’ to create a Temporary Number, this will enable you to create a profile and apply online.

Whether currently enrolled or not, all applicants must follow the following steps:

  • Gather/prepare the following documentation which must accompany your application:
    • Certified hard copies of all your academic records or transcripts (these are the official pages issued by your university showing marks for each course you enrolled for, for the duration of your studies at that institution), and certified hard copies of your degree/diploma certificates. You may scan and upload the electronic copies with your application. However, upon receiving an admission letter (should your application be successful) you must submit hard copies (see detailed instructions below)
    • If any of your degrees are from universities outside of South Africa, you must submit a certified copy of a SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) certificate of your degrees. To obtain this certificate, you have to apply through the SAQA website http://www.saqa.org.za/# (click ‘services’) to have your non-South African qualification certified. The purpose is to ensure the qualifications of the applicant are assessed at the correct level, and SAQA also prevents qualifications fraud. Please note that SAQA can take several weeks to evaluate and issue a certificate. Therefore you need to start this process without delay. SAQA charges a fee, and this is detailed on its website. Once you have received your certificate from SAQA, you may upload a scanned copy as part of your online application. However, you will have to submit a hard copy once you receive an admission letter, should your application be successful (see details for the hard copy submission below).
    • A CV if you have previously worked. Please ensure that this provides a chronology of your work experience and includes your duties and levels of responsibility.
    • Typed compulsory assignment – see assignment briefing in the button below. No application will be assessed without this assignment carried out as per the instructions. Please pay attention to this.
    • Proof of payment of R200 application fee (see payment instructions below). Note that currently enrolled Wits students are exempt from paying the application fee.
    • Copy of ID document (if the applicant is South African) or passport (if the applicant is from another country).
    • If your degrees are from a university that is not English medium, then you need to secure a proof of English proficiency certificate. You may upload a scanned certified copy of this in your electronic application, but you must submit a certified hard copy (paper) once/if you receive an admission letter.
  • Please ensure that after you have completed the required information in the online application and attached ALL the supporting documentation listed above, that you submit the application. Only once you see the screen saying ‘thank you for submission your application to the University’ is your application process complete.
  • You will receive a letter by e-mail the following day to confirm your application to the University, listing the programme(s) you have applied for. If you do not receive an e-mail with this letter the day after your submission please check with the Wits Student Call Centre as your application may not have been submitted successfully. The Student Call Centre can be reached @ +27 11 717 1888.
  • Applicants who upload all the required supporting documentation (including the compulsory assignment) will have their applications registered as ‘complete’ and labelled as such on your self-service portal (i.e. please check your portal regularly to make sure it is complete). Only complete applications will be sent to the selection committee in the School of Architecture and Planning for evaluation/selection for your chosen degree(s). If you are admitted/selected to study in your chosen degree(s) you will receive an offer letter through the self-service portal. Therefore please continue checking your portal regularly after having submitted a complete application.
  • The Student Enrolment Centre will then still require you to submit the duly certified hard copies (on paper) of all your academic records and graduation certificates, as well as a certified had copy of the SAQA Evaluation Certificate if you studied outside of South Africa, and your English proficiency certificate if you studied in a non-English medium institution. Note that you will not be able to accept your Firm Offer nor Register to start your studies if you have not submitted your certified hard copies. Please bring them to the Enrolment Centre in person. If you applied from another country or city, then rather than couriering these valuable documents, we advise that you may bring them with you in person to registration, which is arranged early in the year, usually a week before your studies commence.

The Student Enrolment Centre is on East Campus on the ground floor of Solomon Mahlangu House (formerly Senate House), opposite the café.


Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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