How to Apply UFS

How to Apply UFS

UFS has developed a simple and easy-way portal for applications from New and continuing students of South Africa and other countries who wish to undergo Undergraduate, Postgraduate and master’s programs at UFS.

How to Apply UFS, Interested applicants are advised to access the online application form from the official website of the institution, fill it out with the required information and submit it along with supporting documents such as ID documents, the Latest school results etc. Applicants must ensure that they meet all the entry requirements before applying. The UFS application process is very simple and easy and it is done on mobile phones and Tablets.

READ: UFS Prospectus

Online Application Opening Date For UFS 2025-2026

2025 Undergraduate applications for Higher Certificate Programmes on the South Campus only open on 1 July 2024. However, the 2025 Applications will open on 1 April 2024, therefore prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the closing date. Late applications may not be considered for the 2025-2026 academic year, given that, APPLY EARLY!!

UFS Application Required Documents 2025-2026

Upload copies of the following in PDF or JPEG format when you apply for undergraduate studies:

Your ID if you are a South African citizen
Your passport if you are an international student
Your parent’s ID or passport if you are younger than 18
Your final Grade 11 results with the school’s stamp
National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Grade 12 IEB certificate if you have already matriculated
Your academic record, only if you are/were a student at another institution of higher learning
USAf accreditation from the examination board for South African universities.

READ:UFS Application Status
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATIONS 2025-2026

Each prospective student must complete the online application.
Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet.
In the case of applicants re-writing Grade 12 subjects, applications will be processed on the current results available. If Grade 12 has been written more than once then your combined results must be submitted with your application.
Applicants writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) through IEB or SACAI examining bodies can apply online by selecting “National Senior Certificate” under the Results Detail page of the online application process.
Applicants currently in Grade 12 are requested to provide school-stamped copies of the final Grade 11.
Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to declare their previous studies when applying as well as upload an official full academic record/transcript and degree/diploma certificate (where applicable).
The University of the Free State does not accept the General Education Development (GED) test for entry into any of its curricular undergraduate qualifications. The GED is no longer recognised by Universities in South Africa (USAf) and is not equivalent to a South African grade 12 (NSC/IEB/SACAI). Applicants who completed the GED and would like to study towards an undergraduate curricular qualification are advised to register and complete a grade 12 NSC/IEB/SACAI or the international equivalent thereof.
Applicants who did not complete SC/NSC/IEB must have USAF accreditation from the examination board for South African Universities.

READ: UFS Login

POSTGRADUATE APPLICATIONS 2025-2026

It is important to note that ALL Postgraduate programmes are selection programmes.
In some instances Honours, Masters and Doctoral students are expected to apply directly to the department or to pre-register. Please refer to the specific Faculty and departmental information to determine whether you need to apply directly or to pre-register.
Each prospective student must complete the online application.
Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet.
Admission is a separate process when your application will be evaluated by the relevant faculty.
Before you submit your online application and upload/email documents, please visit the relevant faculty/department website to confirm additional documentation that may be required e.g. departmental application form, CV, motivation, reports, dissertation/thesis proposal etc.
Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to upload an official full academic record/transcript, degree/diploma certificate and SAQA certificate if they hold a foreign/ international qualification.
Advanced Diploma qualifications are classified as undergraduate. It is however processed (administratively) as a postgraduate qualification due to previous studies involved.

How to Apply UFS

Follow the steps below to apply online for UFS for the 2025-2026 academic year;

Go to the official website of UFS’
Access the online application form
Fill it out with the required information
Upload certified copies of required documents such as ID documents, Latest school results etc.
Submit a completed application along with the uploaded documents
The application must be submitted before the closing date.

READ: University of Free State Online Application UFS

Courses Offered At UFS

UFS offers various Higher Certificate qualification courses/programmes. Below is a list of courses offered at UFS:

Higher Certificate in Music Performance
Higher Certificate in Theology
Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences (Commerce route study option)
Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences (Administration route study option)
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Communication Science and Psychology
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Communication Science and Sociology
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Psychology and Sociology
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Communication Science and Anthropology
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Political Science and Psychology
Higher Certificate in Humanities: Political Science and Sociology

READ: University Of Mpumalanga

UFS Contact Details