The University of Pretoria is one of the most competitive universities in South Africa, which means you need to understand the full application process early and follow every requirement carefully if you want a real chance of admission.
Applications for 2027 are already structured with strict timelines and requirements, and missing even one step can affect your chances because most programmes have limited space.
About the University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria, often called UP or Tuks, is a public university in South Africa known for strong academic programmes across science, commerce, engineering, health sciences, humanities, and law.
The university has multiple campuses including Hatfield, Groenkloof, Prinshof, and Onderstepoort, and it offers both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across many faculties.
UP is highly selective, and many of its programmes are number limited, which means meeting minimum requirements does not always guarantee admission.
Courses You Can Study at UP
The University of Pretoria offers a wide range of undergraduate programmes across different faculties.
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences offers degrees like BCom and Business Management.
- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT offers degrees like Engineering and Computer Science.
- Faculty of Health Sciences offers programmes like Medicine and Nursing.
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences offers degrees like Biological Sciences.
- Faculty of Humanities offers degrees like Psychology and Languages.
- Faculty of Law offers LLB programmes.
Each course has its own admission requirements and selection criteria, so you must check your specific programme before applying.
UP Application Fees for 2027
The University of Pretoria charges a non refundable application fee for 2027.
The application fee is R300 for all applicants who do not qualify for a waiver.
Students from households earning R150000 or less per year may have the fee waived if they upload proof of income during the application process.
Payment can be made online or through bank deposit, and proof of payment must be uploaded before submitting your application.
Admission Requirements for UP
To qualify for admission at UP, you must meet both general university requirements and specific programme requirements.
You must have a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.
You must meet the required Admission Point Score based on your Grade 11 or Grade 12 results.
You must meet subject requirements for your chosen course, such as Mathematics or Physical Science for technical programmes.
Some programmes such as Medicine or Veterinary Science have additional selection processes and higher requirements.
Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance because many programmes are competitive and limited.
Step by Step Guide on How to Apply
You must apply online using the official University of Pretoria application portal.
- Create an account on the portal.
- Fill in your personal and academic details.
- Upload all required documents.
- Pay the application fee or upload proof for a waiver.
- Verify your application and submit it.
- Check your application status regularly on the portal.
After submission, you must monitor your application and respond to any updates or requests.
Documents Required for UP Application
You must upload supporting documents during your application.
- A certified copy of your ID or passport.
- Your Grade 11 final results or latest school results.
- Your Grade 12 results if already completed.
- Proof of payment or proof of income for fee waiver.
- Academic records if you have studied at another institution.
All documents must be clear and correctly uploaded to avoid delays in processing.
University of Pretoria Application Dates for 2027
You must follow the official timeline strictly when applying to UP.
Applications opened on 1 April 2026.
Veterinary Science applications close on 31 May 2026.
All other undergraduate programmes close on 30 June 2026.
Late applications are usually not accepted, so you must apply before the deadline.
If you are reading this after June 2026, then the 2027 application period has already closed and you will need to wait for the next cycle.
UP Residence and Accommodation Applications
If you want to stay in a university residence, you must indicate this during your online application.
The University of Pretoria has multiple residences across its campuses, and placement is limited.
Residence applications are done as part of your main application and should not be delayed.
Contact Details for University of Pretoria
If you need help during your application, you can contact the university directly.
- Student Service Centre: 012 420 3111.
- Email enquiries: ssc@up.ac.za.
The university also provides support through its online systems and student portal.
Before You Apply
You should apply as early as possible because many programmes fill up quickly.
You should prepare your documents before applications open so you can submit immediately.
You should check your application status regularly after submission to avoid missing updates.
You should only choose programmes that match your results and subject requirements to improve your chances of acceptance.
Before you apply for any bursary, make sure you have a clear plan. Download our comprehensive Bursary Application Checklist to stay organized, submit your documents correctly, and increase your chances of success.
Bursary Application Checklist