Late applications · 2027 entry · National
Yes - 386 programmes are still open.
291 close within 60 days. Across 10 institutions. Spaces fill before deadlines, so apply on the official portal as soon as you can.
There is no single national late-application system in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal’s public universities apply through the CAO; UNISA and every other university run their own portals - each with its own closing date and late rules. Some open a late window while space lasts (often at a higher fee); others close hard. AskSmarty shows the published closing date and status for each programme so you can move fast.
Still open now
Soonest-closing first · 386 open total30Oct 26
Dip: Analytical Chemistry
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Dip: Agricultural Management
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Dip: Information Technology
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Dip: Non-Destructive Testing
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Bachelor of Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Science
VUT · Gauteng · Degree
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Fashion, Photography, Graphic Design & Fine Art
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Food Service Management
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Tourism Management
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Safety Management
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Bachelor of Communication Studies
VUT · Gauteng · Degree
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Policing
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
B Ed (Senior Phase & FET Teaching)
VUT · Gauteng · Degree
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Chemical Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Civil Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Industrial Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Mechanical Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Metallurgical Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Electronic Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Power Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Process Control Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Computer Systems Engineering
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
30Oct 26
Diploma: Operations Management
VUT · Gauteng · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
Bachelor of Applied Science in Biotechnology
DUT · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
Bachelor of Applied Science in Food Science and Technology
DUT · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping
DUT · KwaZulu-Natal · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
B Sc Augmented (Biochemistry and Botany)
UNIZULU · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
B Sc Augmented (Biochemistry and Microbiology)
UNIZULU · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
B Sc Augmented (Biochemistry and Chemistry)
UNIZULU · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
B Com Augmented (Business Management and Economics)
UNIZULU · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
31Oct 26
B Sc Augmented (Botany and Hydrology)
UNIZULU · KwaZulu-Natal · Degree
Closing soonApply now
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Reserved · in-content unit · empty at launch
Institutions with open programmes
UNIZULU
92 open programmes
KwaZulu-Natal
WSU
84 open programmes
Eastern Cape
Eduvos
83 open programmes
National
UFH
49 open programmes
Eastern Cape
VUT
22 open programmes
Gauteng
UMP
19 open programmes
Mpumalanga
UJ
12 open programmes
Gauteng
SPU
10 open programmes
Northern Cape
DUT
8 open programmes
KwaZulu-Natal
MUT
7 open programmes
KwaZulu-Natal
Late application questions
Sometimes. Some institutions open a late-application window if they still have space, usually with a higher application fee and fewer programme choices. Only the institution can confirm a late window - AskSmarty shows the published closing date, and you should check the official site for the specific programme before relying on a late round.
It changes every cycle and depends on whether a programme still has space, so there is no fixed national list. Use the live "still open now" list on this page (sorted soonest-closing first) and confirm on each institution's official site. Distance options like UNISA often have a longer window than contact universities.
Yes for some programmes. A number of qualifications have a mid-year (Term 2 / Term 3) start with their own later closing date. Filter the deadline tracker for programmes that are still open to see current mid-year options.
Consider a Higher Certificate as a bridging route into a diploma or degree, look at private colleges (often more flexible entry than public universities), or UNISA distance programmes. You can also plan ahead and apply early for the next cycle. Re-run the APS calculator with "Open only" to see what you can still apply for right now.
Often, yes. Many institutions charge a higher fee for late or walk-in applications, and some waive fees only during the standard window. The application fee is shown on each university page. AskSmarty never takes payment - you pay the institution directly on its official portal.
AskSmarty is an independent national guide - not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any university, college, or the CAO. Closing dates are drawn from official prospectuses and updated 10 Oct 2026. A late window is never guaranteed; always confirm on the institution’s official site before relying on it. We never take payment - you apply on the official portal.