Late applications · 2027 entry · National
Yes - 466 programmes are still open.
371 close within 60 days. Across 11 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 · 466 open total10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Animal Welfare
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Archives and Records Management
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Banking
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Law
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Life and Environmental Sciences
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Marketing
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Retailing
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Higher Certificate in Tourism Management
UNISA · National · Higher Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences
UNISA · National · Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Advanced Certificate in Intermediate Phase Mathematics and English First Additional Language Teaching
UNISA · National · Certificate
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Accounting Sciences
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Administrative Management
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Agricultural Management
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Chemical Engineering
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Civil Engineering
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Corrections Management
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Electrical Engineering
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Explosives Management
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Human Resource Management
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Industrial Engineering
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Law
UNISA · National · Diploma
Closing soonApply now
10Oct 26
Diploma in Local Government Finance
UNISA · National · Diploma
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
UNISA
80 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 08 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.