University of Cape Town UCT Online Application Closing date For 2026/2027

UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTSThe 2026 admission cycle will open at 4pm on 3 April 2026 and close on 30 September 2026. We do not consider late applications.

The UCT Open Day will be held on Upper Campus on 22 April 2026 from 10am-3pm.

If you normally reside in, or have completed schooling in South Africa, or are applying for admission to a programme in the Faculty of Health Sciences, you must write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs). You must register for the NBTs before you apply online. NBT results obtained in 2016, 2026 or 2026, are valid for 2026 admission. For admission to UCT, you must have written the NBTs by 14 October 2026.

The last date for undergraduate programme changes is 31 October 2026. These requests must be submitted to
admissions-ug@uct.ac.za

POSTGRADUATE APPLICANTS

Postgraduate programmes containing coursework mostly close on 31 October, with the exception of a few programmes. Please refer to the Directions for Postgraduate Applicants 2026 Admission for the relevant closing dates.

Applications for research-only postgraduate programmes do not close. Please select the year in which you wish to start your programme when applying.

SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD (SSA) APPLICANTS

The SSA programme is offered to international students currently registered at their home university and who wish to undertake a semester at UCT. Upon completion of the semester abroad, the credits can be transferred to their programme at their home university. SSA credits do not count toward a UCT qualification.

Closing dates for 2026 and 2026 admission
2026 first semester applications are closed.
2026 second semester applications are currently open and close 31 May 2026.
2026 first semester applications open 1 August and close 15 November 2026.
2026 second semester applications open 8 January and close 30 April 2026.
For further information, visit the Semester Study Abroad webpage.