University of Pretoria Application for 2028: How to Apply

University of Pretoria Application for 2028: How to Apply, Requirements, Dates and Fees

If you are planning to study at the University of Pretoria (UP) in 2028, it is important to understand the application process well before applications open. UP is one of South Africa’s major public universities and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a wide range of academic fields. Continue to read more about University of Pretoria Application for 2028.

The University of Pretoria application process is completed online. Prospective students need to choose an appropriate programme, check the admission requirements, prepare supporting documents, submit the application and monitor their application status through the UP Student Portal.

For students preparing for the 2028 academic year, this guide explains the expected University of Pretoria application dates, application requirements, documents, application fee, how to apply online, admission process, application status and important mistakes to avoid.

When Will the University of Pretoria Applications for 2028 Open?

The University of Pretoria states that its applications open on 1 April of the year preceding the year of study. For example, applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026.

Following this established schedule, prospective students intending to study at UP in 2028 should expect applications to open around 1 April 2027.

However, the date should be treated as an expected date until UP officially publishes the 2028 application calendar.

The university’s application cycle also has different closing dates for certain programmes. In the latest published cycle:

Veterinary Science applications closed on 31 May 2026.
Applications for other undergraduate programmes closed on 30 June 2026.

If the same pattern is retained for 2028, applicants should expect Veterinary Science to have an earlier deadline than most other undergraduate programmes.

Do not wait until the closing date to apply. UP states that its undergraduate programmes are number-limited and encourages prospective students to apply as soon as applications open.

University of Pretoria Application Dates for 2028

University of Pretoria Prospectus

The following table provides a planning guide for applicants.

Application Event	2028 Admission Planning Date
Applications expected to open	1 April 2027*
Veterinary Science expected closing date	31 May 2027*
Other undergraduate programmes expected closing date	30 June 2027*
2028 academic year begins	2028
Final admission	Based on final Grade 12/equivalent results

*These are planning dates based on UP’s current annual application pattern and are not confirmed 2028 dates.

UP’s current official application information confirms that applications open on 1 April in the year before study and that applicants should check the applicable programme closing date.

Who Can Apply to the University of Pretoria in 2028?

The University of Pretoria accepts applications from different categories of prospective students, including:

Current Grade 12 learners
Students who have already completed Grade 12
Applicants with recognised equivalent school-leaving qualifications
International students
Students transferring from another higher education institution
Returning UP students applying for another qualification, subject to applicable rules

The exact requirements depend on your qualification and the programme you want to study.

Students currently in Grade 12 generally apply using their final Grade 11 results, while applicants who have already completed Grade 12 apply using their final NSC or equivalent results. UP’s programme pages explicitly state this distinction.

University of Pretoria Admission Requirements for 2028

University of Pretoria Admission Requirements

There is no single admission requirement that applies to every University of Pretoria programme.

Instead, each programme has its own:

APS requirement
English requirement
Mathematics requirement, where applicable
Physical Sciences requirement, where applicable
Other subject requirements
Selection criteria
Additional practical or testing requirements for selected programmes

For example, the current 2027 requirements show substantial differences between programmes.

A BCom 3-year programme currently requires English at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 4 and an APS of 30, while the BCom 4-year programme has different requirements.

Some science programmes have higher requirements. For example, the 2027 BSc in Medical Sciences requires English at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 5, Physical Sciences at Level 5 and an APS of 32.

Engineering programmes can have still different requirements. The current BEng Electronic Engineering four-year programme requires English at Level 5, Mathematics at Level 6, Physical Sciences at Level 6 and an APS of 35.

These figures should therefore be used as examples of how programme-specific UP requirements work, not as confirmed 2028 requirements.

Does UP Use APS for Admission?

Yes. The University of Pretoria uses an Admission Point Score (APS) as part of its undergraduate admission process for applicants with South African NSC/IEB qualifications.

However, the calculation and minimum score differ between programmes.

An important point for applicants is that Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS for the programmes shown in UP’s current admission information.

Students should therefore avoid relying on an APS calculator designed for another university without checking how UP calculates the score for their chosen programme.

Does Meeting the Minimum Requirements Guarantee Admission to UP?

No.

This is one of the most important things applicants should understand before applying.

The University of Pretoria states that admission is competitive and based on the ranking of candidates. Meeting the published minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission because places are limited.

For example, a programme may have a published minimum APS, but the university may have more qualified applicants than available places.

Applicants should therefore distinguish between:

Minimum requirements: The academic threshold required to be considered.

Admission: The outcome after the university evaluates and ranks applicants and considers available places.

This is why students should apply early, provide accurate information and carefully monitor their application.

Documents Needed for the University of Pretoria Application 2028

Prospective applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the online application.

UP’s online application instructions indicate that applicants should have their ID/passport and school results ready.

Depending on your applicant category, you may need documents such as:

South African ID document
Passport for international applicants
Grade 11 final report for current Grade 12 applicants
Final Grade 12/NSC results for applicants who have completed school
Equivalent school-leaving certificate
Academic transcripts for students who previously attended another university
Additional documents required by a specific programme
Proof of application-fee payment, where applicable

Students transferring from another institution should take particular care with their academic history. UP requires prospective transferring students to declare their previous academic history, including registered courses/modules and academic results.

University of Pretoria Application Fee for 2028

University of Pretoria Fees

Applicants should expect an application fee unless they qualify for an applicable waiver.

The current UP application information lists an application fee of R300 for the 2027 application cycle and states that the fee is non-refundable.

UP also states that the application fee is waived for applicants whose household income is R150,000 or less per year, subject to the university’s requirements. Applicants who qualify for the waiver must upload proof of income during the application process.

Because fees can change between admission cycles, applicants for 2028 should verify the application fee on the official UP website when the 2028 application cycle opens.

How to Apply to the University of Pretoria for 2028

The University of Pretoria application is completed online.

Here is a practical step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Choose Your Programme

Before opening the application form, identify the qualification you want to study.

UP provides information about its undergraduate programmes, faculties and admission requirements through its official website.

Do not select a programme simply because it sounds interesting. Check the qualification’s:

Admission requirements
Subjects
APS
Duration
Career possibilities
Campus/location where applicable
Selection requirements

Step 2: Check the Admission Requirements

Once you have selected a programme, confirm that your Grade 11 or final Grade 12 results meet the published requirements.

For example, UP’s current programme information demonstrates that BSc, BCom, Engineering and other qualifications have different combinations of English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and APS requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Scan the documents required for your application.

Make sure:

Your documents are clear.
Your personal information is correct.
Your names correspond with your identification documents.
Your academic results are readable.
Documents are uploaded in the required format.

Preparing these documents before applications open can make the process easier.

Step 4: Apply Online

When applications open, visit the official UP online application platform and complete the application.

UP’s official instructions indicate that applicants receive a temporary application reference number during the process. Once the application is submitted, a student number/EMPLID is issued for accessing the UP Student Portal.

Step 5: Select Your First and Second Choices

The UP application system allows applicants to indicate a first and second choice of study.

UP advises applicants to complete both choices.

This is particularly important because some programmes have specific selection requirements.

For example, applicants interested in the BSc Architecture or BSc Interior Architecture selection programmes must indicate the relevant programme as their first choice to be considered for those programmes.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

If you are required to pay an application fee, complete the payment according to UP’s instructions.

The current application fee is R300 for 2027 and is non-refundable. Applicants who qualify for the fee waiver should follow the university’s instructions for uploading proof of income.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Simply starting an application is not enough.

UP specifically states that only completed and submitted applications are considered for possible admission.

Before submitting, check every section carefully.

How to Check University of Pretoria Application Status for 2028

University of Pretoria Status Check for 2028 Application

After submitting your application, you should regularly check the UP Student Portal.

The university instructs applicants to monitor the portal for application status updates and messages.

Your student number/EMPLID can be used to access the portal.

Remember that receiving a student number does not mean that you have been admitted. UP specifically explains that issuing a student number is separate from the admission process.

Your application still needs to be evaluated by the relevant faculty.

What Happens After Applying to UP?

After submission, the university evaluates your application.

For current undergraduate applications, UP explains that admission is based on the applicant’s academic results and the university’s ranking process.

Applicants should:

Submit the application.
Monitor the UP Student Portal.
Respond to university requests.
Check their admission outcome.
Accept or decline an offer where required.
Complete the enrolment contract.
Pay the required initial fees.
Complete registration within the prescribed period.

UP states that final admission is based on final NSC or equivalent results. Admission must also be confirmed, and registration is subject to capacity.

University of Pretoria 2028 Application for International Students

International students can apply to the University of Pretoria, but they may have additional admission and documentation requirements.

Applicants with qualifications other than the South African NSC/IEB should consult the applicable international undergraduate prospectus and qualification requirements.

The programme pages also distinguish applicants with school-leaving qualifications not issued by Umalusi from NSC/IEB applicants.

International applicants should therefore prepare their:

Passport
School-leaving certificate
Academic transcripts
Proof of eligibility for university study
Any required evaluation or exemption documentation
Additional documents requested by UP

The exact requirements depend on the applicant’s qualification and country of education.

University of Pretoria Application for Transferring Students

If you are already studying at another university and want to move to UP, you should not apply as though you have never attended a tertiary institution.

UP requires transferring applicants to declare their full previous academic history.

This includes information about courses or modules previously registered for, credits obtained and grades achieved. Failure to disclose previous academic history can have consequences for admission or registration.

Transfer applicants should therefore prepare official academic records before beginning the application.

University of Pretoria Application for Architecture and Other Selection Programmes

University of Pretoria Courses

Some programmes have additional selection procedures.

This means that applicants may have to meet the academic requirements and complete another selection process.

UP specifically states that applicants for BSc Architecture and BSc Interior Architecture must list these programmes as their first choice to be considered.

Other programmes can have additional selection procedures, auditions or faculty-specific requirements.

For example, the current Drama programme includes a practical audition as part of its selection procedure.

Applicants should therefore read the requirements for their exact qualification rather than relying only on the general UP application instructions.

Important Tips for the UP 2028 Application

Apply as soon as applications open

UP says its undergraduate programmes are number-limited and encourages applicants to submit applications as soon as possible.

Do not wait for final Grade 12 results

Current Grade 12 learners can apply using their final Grade 11 results, according to the current programme requirements.

Check your programme requirements

Do not assume that the APS requirement for one course applies to another.

Provide accurate contact information

UP stresses the importance of providing a personal email address and accurate contact details because the university uses these details to communicate with applicants.

Complete your own application

UP advises applicants to complete their own online applications and states that the university does not use representatives, agents or agencies for the application process.

Keep checking your portal

Submitting an application does not end the process. Applicants should regularly check the UP Student Portal for updates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to UP in 2028

Some applicants encounter problems because they:

Apply after the closing date.
Select the wrong programme.
Fail to meet subject requirements.
Upload unclear documents.
Enter incorrect personal information.
Forget to submit the completed application.
Assume that receiving a student number means admission.
Ignore messages on the UP Student Portal.
Fail to declare previous university studies.
Assume that meeting the minimum APS guarantees admission.

Avoiding these mistakes can help ensure that your application is properly submitted and available for consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Pretoria Application 2028

When does the University of Pretoria application for 2028 open?

The 2028 application cycle is expected to open in April 2027, based on UP’s established practice of opening applications on 1 April of the year preceding the year of study. The university has not yet published the final 2028 dates in the sources reviewed for this article.

What is the expected UP application closing date for 2028?

Based on the latest published cycle, Veterinary Science applications close earlier, while most other undergraduate applications close on 30 June. The corresponding 2028 dates should be confirmed by UP when the official 2028 application calendar is released.

How much is the University of Pretoria application fee?

The current published application fee is R300 for 2027, and it is non-refundable. UP also provides a fee waiver for applicants whose household income is R150,000 or less, subject to the stated requirements. The 2028 fee should be confirmed when applications open.

Can I apply to UP with Grade 11 results?

Yes. Current Grade 12 applicants use their final Grade 11 or equivalent results when applying. Final admission is subsequently based on final Grade 12/NSC or equivalent results.

Can I apply for more than one programme?

UP’s online application allows applicants to indicate a first and second choice. Applicants should check the specific requirements for both choices.

Does getting a UP student number mean I have been accepted?

No. UP clearly states that receiving a student number/EMPLID confirms the application process but does not mean that the applicant has been admitted.

Is admission guaranteed if I meet the minimum requirements?

No. UP states that admission is competitive, applications are ranked and places are limited. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Final Guide to University of Pretoria Application for 2028

The University of Pretoria Application for 2028 will be an important process for students hoping to begin their studies at UP in the 2028 academic year. Although the final 2028 application dates and programme requirements should be confirmed through the university’s official channels, UP’s current application system provides a useful framework for planning.

Based on the university’s established schedule, prospective students should prepare for applications to open around 1 April 2027. The latest cycle had a 31 May closing date for Veterinary Science and 30 June for other undergraduate programmes.

Applicants should start preparing well before the application period by researching programmes, checking APS and subject requirements, preparing their Grade 11 or final school results, obtaining identification documents and understanding any programme-specific selection requirements.

Most importantly, applicants should use information published by the University of Pretoria when the official 2028 application cycle opens. Programme requirements, fees and deadlines can change from one admission cycle to another. UP itself advises prospective students to verify current information with the university.

For applications, prospective students should use the university’s official UP Online Application page and consult the relevant programme or faculty information before submitting an application.