Wits Applications for 2027

The University of the Witwatersrand, known simply as Wits is one of South Africa’s most prestigious research universities, consistently ranked among the top institutions on the continent. Located in Johannesburg, Wits offers world-class programmes across health sciences, engineering, humanities, law, commerce, and more.

If you are a Grade 12 learner, gap year student, or a parent helping a child navigate the university application process, this guide is for you. Understanding exactly when to apply, what you need, and how the process works can make the difference between securing a place at Wits and missing out entirely.

Applications for the 2027 intake are now open! Wits applications are competitive and many programmes close well before the final deadline. Read this guide carefully, prepare your documents, and submit as soon as possible.

Learn more: South Africa University Applications for 2027

When Do Wits Applications for 2027 Open?

Good news: applications for the 2027 academic year are already open. You can apply right now at wits.ac.za/applications. There is no reason to wait, the sooner you submit, the more time Wits has to review your application before spaces fill up.

Use the time before the closing dates to gather all required documents, confirm your subject requirements, and research which programmes are the best fit for you. Students who apply early and submit complete documentation are in a far stronger position than those who rush at the deadline.

• Applications open: Now open for 2027 intake at wits.ac.za/applications
• Application fee: R100 (non-refundable) payable via the self-service portal or EFT to FNB, Account No. 6307 5484 302, Branch 251905

Wits Application Closing Dates for 2027

There are two key closing dates you need to mark in your calendar. Missing either of these dates could mean waiting another full year to apply.

Date	Milestone	Who It Affects
March 2026	Applications open	All applicants
30 June 2026	First deadline	Health Sciences & select programmes
30 September 2026	Final deadline	All other programmes + residence
October–November 2026	Offers issued	Successful applicants
January 2027	Academic year begins	Registered students

30 June 2026 — Critical First Deadline: Health Sciences and several other high-demand programmes close on this date. If you are applying for Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, or Occupational Therapy, this is your only chance.

The September deadline applies to all remaining faculties and includes applications for university residence. If you are applying for accommodation, do not assume you have until September, apply for residence at the same time as your academic programme to improve your chances.

Minimum Admission Requirements

To apply to Wits, you must have — or be working towards — a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Bachelor’s pass. This means achieving at least 50% in four designated subjects, including English.

Beyond the general NSC requirement, each faculty has specific subject and score requirements. Here is a general overview:

• Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) is required for engineering, science, commerce, health sciences, and built environment programmes
• Mathematical Literacy may be accepted for some humanities and social sciences programmes
• Most competitive programmes require strong results — often 70% or higher — in key subjects
• Life Sciences is required for health science programmes
• Physical Sciences is required for engineering and science programmes

Always check the specific entry requirements for your chosen programme on the Wits website. Requirements can change year to year, so do not rely on information from previous years or word of mouth.

What Degrees Does Wits Offer?

Before you apply, it helps to know what is available. Wits offers undergraduate degrees across five faculties, covering everything from medicine and engineering to arts, law, and science. Here is a faculty-by-faculty overview of your options.

Faculty	Degrees and Programmes
Commerce & Law	Full-time: BCom (Accounting), BCom General (Economics, HRM, Finance, Management), BCom Information Systems, BCom Politics/Philosophy/Economics, BCom Financial Services, BCom with Law, LLB (2-, 3- and 4-year streams), Bachelor of Accounting Science, Bachelor of Economic Science Part-time: BCom with Law, BCom
Engineering & Built Environment	Full-time: BSc Engineering (Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Information, Mechanical, Metallurgy & Materials, Mining), Biomedical Engineering, Digital Arts, Architecture, Urban & Regional Planning, Property Studies, Construction Studies Part-time: BSc Engineering
Health SciencesCloses 30 June 2026	Full-time: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences, Biokinetics, Health Systems Sciences, Clinical Medical Practice), Dentistry, Oral Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, PhysiotherapyTraining is provided at five major Johannesburg hospitals, rural Gauteng clinics, and the Donald Gordon Medical Centre. More than 500 students graduate from this faculty each year.
Humanities & Education	Full-time BA: International Relations, Languages, Political Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and many more Wits School of Arts (WSoA): Digital Arts, Theatre & Performance, Film & Television, Fine Arts, Music Wits School of Education (WSoE): Foundation Phase Teaching, Intermediate Phase Teaching, Senior Phase & FET Teaching School of Human & Community Development (SHCD): Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Social Work Part-time: BA (Social Sciences focus)
Science	Mathematical Sciences: Actuarial Sciences, Computational & Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences Physical Sciences: Chemistry with Chemical Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Physics Earth Sciences: Geography & Archaeology, Geospatial Science, Geological Sciences, Environmental Studies Biological Sciences: Biodiversity, Ecology & Conservation, Organismal Biology, Applied Bioinformatics, Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Genetics & Developmental Biology, Microbiology & Biotechnology

Tip: If you are unsure which programme to choose, apply for one option in a less competitive faculty (such as Humanities, Commerce or Science) alongside your first choice. This keeps your options open if your preferred programme is oversubscribed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Online

The Wits application process is completed entirely online. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Go to wits.ac.za/applications and click to begin your application when the portal opens in March 2026.
2. Create your profile. You will receive a Person Number — this becomes your student number and your login for the self-service portal. Save it carefully.
3. Complete your personal information using your full names exactly as they appear on your ID or passport. Do not use initials or nicknames.
4. Select up to three programmes. The order of choice does not affect your outcome — each programme is treated as a separate application. Apply across different faculties to keep your options open.
5. Pay the R100 application fee via the Campus Finances tile on the self-service portal (Make a Payment > Application Fee), or by EFT/deposit into the Wits FNB account. Use only your Person Number as your payment reference.
6. Upload your supporting documents. Current Grade 12 learners must upload their final Grade 11 results. You can upload documents at the time of application or later via self-service.wits.ac.za under Documents and Communications > Manage Documents.
7. Submit your application. Important: In terms of the POPI Act, you must complete and submit your own application. Wits will not engage with third-party agents submitting on your behalf.
8. Check your email for an acknowledgement letter from Wits. This letter will include your Person Number and the name of your assigned Admissions Consultant. All future correspondence will also be available on the self-service portal.

Required Documents Checklist

Have the following documents ready before you begin your application. Uploading incorrect or incomplete documents is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.

✓	Document	Notes
☐	South African ID or Passport	Full names must match exactly what you enter on the application form
☐	Final Grade 11 Results	Required for current Grade 12 learners — used for initial assessment and provisional offers
☐	All Matric Certificates	For already-matriculated applicants — certified copies required
☐	Grade 12 Final NSC Results	Upload as soon as results are released in January 2027 — required for firm offers
☐	R100 Application Fee Proof	Pay via self-service portal or EFT to Wits FNB account; use your Person Number as reference
☐	NBT Results (if applicable)	Required for Health Sciences and Science programmes — register at nbts.ac.za
☐	Portfolio of Work (if applicable)	Required for Architecture, Film and TV — follow faculty guidelines carefully
☐	Academic Records from Previous Tertiary Study (if applicable)	Certified copy plus certificate of good conduct confirming good behavioural and financial standing
☐	ADM Motivation Letter (if applicable)	Only for previously academically excluded Wits students — upload via self-service portal

Special Requirements for Certain Courses

Some programmes at Wits require more than just good marks. Be aware of the following additional requirements:

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)

The NBTs assess academic readiness in Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics. They are required for Health Sciences and Science programmes, and recommended for other faculties. Register for NBTs early at nbts.ac.za — test dates fill up quickly.

Portfolios

If you are applying for Architecture and Planning, Film and Television, or Fine Arts, you will need to submit a portfolio of your creative work. Start building your portfolio early and follow the faculty guidelines carefully regarding format and content.

Job Shadowing and Interviews (Health Sciences)

Prospective Health Sciences students — particularly those applying for Medicine and Physiotherapy — are expected to have completed some form of job shadowing or healthcare exposure. This demonstrates your commitment to the field and may be assessed during the selection process.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Acceptance

Thousands of students apply to Wits each year. These tips can make your application stand out.

• Apply as early as possible, do not wait until the deadline. Competitive programmes receive far more applications than available spots, and early applicants may have an advantage.
• Apply for more than one programme. Select up to three choices to maximise your chances of receiving at least one offer.
• Choose programmes across different faculties if possible, in case your first choice is not available.
• Make sure your subject choices in Grade 10 and 11 align with your intended programme. Changing subjects in Grade 12 may not be possible.
• Submit complete, correct documents the first time. Incomplete applications are often not considered until all documents are received, which wastes valuable time.
• Track your application status regularly through the online portal and check your email — including your spam folder — for communication from Wits.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you have submitted your application, here is what to expect:

• Acknowledgement: Wits will email you to confirm they have received your application. This acknowledgement letter includes your Person Number (which becomes your student number) and the name of your assigned Admissions Consultant, who is your direct point of contact for queries.
• Initial assessment: Wits will assess current Grade 12 learners based on self-reported Grade 11 results. This is used to make provisional offers — the final decision is always based on your official NSC matric results.
• Provisional offer: If your Grade 11 results are strong enough, you may receive a provisional offer before your final exams. This is conditional on achieving the required results in matric.
• Firm offer: Once your final NSC results are verified and you meet all requirements, your provisional offer converts to a firm offer. Firm offers are only confirmed after matric results are released.
• Acceptance deadline: You must formally accept your firm offer on the self-service portal before the cut-off date in your offer letter. You may only accept one offer.
• First fee payment: A first payment is required to complete registration. NSFAS applicants can apply to postpone this payment if funding is not yet confirmed.
• Registration: Accepted students will register for the 2027 academic year at the beginning of the year. Registration and orientation details will be published on the Wits website.

How to Check Your Wits Application Status

Once you have submitted your application, you do not need to wait passively for an email. Wits provides a self-service portal where you can track your application in real time, upload outstanding documents, and view all official correspondence from the university.

Step-by-Step: Checking Your Status on the Self-Service Portal

• Go to the official Wits Self-Service Portal at self-service.wits.ac.za. Use the latest version of Chrome or Firefox for the best experience.
• Log in using your Person/Student Number (issued when you submitted your application) and your Password, which is your date of birth in YYMMDD format. For example, if you were born on 5 August 2006, enter 060805.
• From your homepage, click on the dropdown menu and select Applicant Homepage.
• Click the Admissions tile, then navigate to: Main Menu > Self Service > Student Centre > Admissions > View Academic Application Status.
• Your current application status will be displayed for each programme you applied to.
• To view all official letters and communication from Wits, go to: Main Menu > Self Service > Wits Student Self Service > Communication History.
• To upload or manage your supporting documents, click the Documents and Communications tile, then click the orange Manage Documents button in the top right corner.

What Your Application Status Means

The portal will display one of the following statuses next to your application. Here is what each one means and what you should do:

Status	What It Means	What You Should Do
Pending / In Progress	Your application has been received and is currently being reviewed by the admissions office. No decision has been made yet.	Check that all your documents have been uploaded correctly. Be patient — processing can take several weeks, especially during peak periods close to closing dates.
Provisionally Accepted	Wits has made you a provisional offer based on your self-reported Grade 11 results. This applies to current Grade 12 learners. The offer is conditional — your final NSC results must still meet the programme’s minimum requirements before a firm offer is confirmed.	Keep working hard — your final matric marks are what will confirm or cancel this offer. Read the Provisional Acceptance Guide on the Wits website for full details. Upload your final NSC results as soon as they are released in January 2027.
Firm Offer	Congratulations — Wits has confirmed your place in the programme. Firm offers are only issued once your final NSC matric results have been verified. You are now officially eligible to register.	Accept your offer on the self-service portal via the Admissions tile before the deadline in your offer letter. You can only accept one offer. A first fee payment is also required to complete registration — if you are awaiting NSFAS confirmation, you may apply to postpone this payment via the portal.
Waitlisted	A final decision on your application has not yet been made. You remain under consideration. Wits will communicate further details about the waitlist process at a later stage.	Check the portal and your email regularly for updates. Do not submit a new application. In the meantime, make sure your other programme choices are still active, and consider applying to other universities as a backup.
Declined / Unsuccessful	Your application for this specific programme was not successful. This applies per programme — if you applied for three choices, each is assessed separately. An unsuccessful outcome on one does not automatically affect your other choices.	Check the status of your other programme choices. If none of your choices were successful, Wits provides a list of alternative options and contact details for school leavers on their website. Contact the Student Call Centre for guidance.
Documents Required	Wits cannot make a decision on your application because one or more required documents are missing or unclear. This does not mean your application has been rejected.	Log in immediately and go to Documents and Communications > Manage Documents. Upload the missing documents as soon as possible. Delays here can push your application back significantly.

Accepting Your Firm Offer

When you receive a firm offer, you must accept it formally through the self-service portal before the cut-off date stated in your offer letter or SMS. Log in at self-service.wits.ac.za, go to the Admissions tile, and click Accept. Since places are limited, you may only accept one offer. You can withdraw an acceptance and switch to a different offer before the deadline if you change your mind between programmes.

A first fee payment is required as part of registration. If you are unable to make this payment or are still waiting for NSFAS confirmation, you can apply to postpone the payment through the portal — look for the First Fee Payment Postponement option. Do not ignore this step, as it is required to complete your registration.

Changed Your Mind About Your Programme?

If you want to change your programme choice after submitting, do not submit a new application. Instead, log in to the self-service portal at self-service.wits.ac.za and amend your study choices directly. Check the closing dates first — if the deadline for your new programme has passed, you will not be able to make the change. Refer to the Amendment of Study Choices guide on the Wits website for step-by-step instructions.

Do not wait until the deadline. Apply early, apply correctly, and give yourself the best possible chance.

Need Help? Contact Wits Directly

• Student Call Centre: +27 (0)11 717 1888
• Email: ask.wits@wits.ac.za
• Log a query online: wits.ac.za/askwits
• Quick help via Kudubot: available on the Wits website
• Self-Service Portal: self-service.wits.ac.za