Short answer for October 2026: UKZN’s own late application form is not accepting submissions. When we checked UKZN’s Student Admissions late applications page on 3 October 2026, it displayed the notice “Late Applications are currently closed!”, and the form it links to is still the 2025 version. The same page carries a banner saying 2027 applications are open, which refers to the normal process, not the late form.
UKZN’s main closing date for 2027 was 30 September 2026, and all first-year applications go through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The CAO’s own late status, its R470 fee from 1 November and its general rules are explained on our CAO late applications page. This page covers what UKZN does differently.
UKZN has two separate late routes
The first route runs through the CAO before results. The CAO Handbook 2027 Entry lists 1 October 2026 as the date late applications opened for selected UKZN programmes, so a CAO application made now is flagged late and considered only if that programme still has room after on-time applicants.
The second route is UKZN’s own paper form, used after matric results when the university decides to reopen particular programmes. It does not go through the CAO. In last year’s notice of 9 January 2026, UKZN’s Registrar said late UKZN applications could not be submitted on the CAO’s digital walk-in platform, and that UKZN “may consider” opening specific programmes case by case in late January 2026. On 29 January 2026 the College of Humanities posted that it was accepting late application requests.
How the R420 late form works when it reopens
UKZN’s page describes these steps. Expect the details, and possibly the fee, to be updated before the 2027 round opens:
- Work out your APS and confirm you meet the programme’s minimum.
- Check UKZN’s programme availability list to see whether your programme accepts late applicants.
- Download the late application form and attach certified copies of your ID and matric certificate.
- Pay the non-refundable R420 fee.
- Send everything as one PDF through UKZN’s Freshdesk support portal, then track the outcome through the CAO status check.
Programmes that will not consider you late
- College of Health Sciences: UKZN’s late page excludes every programme in the college, and the CAO handbook marks UKZN Health Sciences choices “Applications Closed” after their closing dates. Medicine (MBChB) closed on 30 June 2026.
- School of Law: excluded on UKZN’s late page.
- Several B Ed packages: the CAO handbook notes that no applications received after 30 September will be considered.
Why UKZN warns against coming to campus
For 2026 entry UKZN received over 326,546 individual applications for about 9,124 first-year places, according to the Registrar’s January 2026 notice. That notice said the university would not accept walk-ins, and every step ran online. No 2027 statement has replaced it yet, so assume the same rule applies.
Where the 2027 late round will be announced
- The saa.ukzn.ac.za late applications page, which should switch from “closed” to open with a 2027 form.
- The Registrar’s notices on registration.ukzn.ac.za, published around results week last year.
- Individual college notice boards, such as the College of Humanities site.
If you still want to apply on time somewhere, read the UKZN application guide for future cycles and the overview of universities still open for this one.