As the 2026 academic year draws closer, prospective students hoping for last-minute university placements are being advised not to show up unannounced.
Information emerging from Cape Times reporting indicates that several of the country’s major universities have confirmed that late or walk-in applications will not be considered, citing overwhelming demand and limited capacity.
Institutions are holding firmly to application deadlines set months ago, with admissions processes now focused on finalising offers rather than accepting new applicants.
At the University of the Western Cape (UWC), demand has far exceeded available space. The institution received more than 177,000 applications for just 4,715 first-year places, underscoring the intense competition for entry.
UWC spokesperson Gasant Abarder said the university would not make exceptions for late submissions. Given the volume of applications, he explained, ‘the university would not allow walk-ins or accept late applications.’
Abarder added that applicants awaiting outcomes should be patient, as the next phase of the admissions process hinges on the release of final matric results.
UWC will only begin responding to queries about offers once results are published, with offers expected to be issued from 14 January onwards as acceptances are tracked.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has taken a similar stance. As outlined by UCT spokesperson Velisile Bukula, admission consideration is ‘limited strictly to applicants who submitted complete applications by the 31 July 2025 deadline’.
UCT’s enrolment plan targets approximately 4,000 first-time entering undergraduate students for 2026, spread across its six faculties in line with Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) guidelines.
To reach this number, the university relies on what Bukula described as an over-offer model.
‘Typically, the over-offer to enrolment ratio is approximately 3:2,’ he said, meaning roughly 12,000 offers are issued to secure the final intake of 4,000 students.
‘This model factors in conditional and firm offers, as well as offers that are withdrawn or declined,’ Bukula explained.
He added that UCT has already met its over-offer targets and expects that conditional offers will convert into enough confirmed acceptances once matric results are released.
Stellenbosch University has also closed the door on late applications. For the 2026 academic year, SU aims to enrol 5,769 first-time entering undergraduate students, a figure that rises to 6,074 when students from the Faculty of Military Science are included.
SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen confirmed that applications closed in July 2025 and that the university does not accept walk-ins or late submissions.
‘Application deadlines ensure fair, transparent and well-planned admissions processes,’ he stated, adding that they also allow the institution to manage capacity, resources and academic quality responsibly.
Viljoen noted that while no new applications will be accepted, there may still be movement after registration.
If spaces open up because accepted students do not register, those on waiting lists for specific programmes may be contacted.
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