University of the Witwatersrand Application for 2028: How to Apply

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

If you are planning to study at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in 2028, it is important to understand the application process well before applications close. Wits is one of South Africa’s leading research universities, and admission to many of its undergraduate programmes is competitive.

The university does not use one set of admission requirements for every applicant. Requirements can vary by faculty and degree, and some programmes have additional selection requirements such as National Benchmark Tests (NBTs), portfolios, auditions, interviews or job-shadowing requirements. Wits also makes it clear that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a place because available spaces are limited.

This guide explains the University of the Witwatersrand application process for 2028, including application dates, requirements, APS calculations, supporting documents, application fees, programme choices, international applications and what happens after you apply.

Applicants should Also Check Out:

University of the Witwatersrand Fees

University of the Witwatersrand Scholarships and Bursaries

University of the Witwatersrand Prospectus

What Is the Wits University Application for 2028?

The Wits University application is the official process through which prospective students apply for admission to undergraduate programmes at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

For undergraduate applicants, Wits requires applicants to:

1. Choose their intended degree programmes.
2. Check the admission requirements.
3. Complete the online application.
4. Pay the applicable application fee.
5. Upload the required supporting documents.
6. Complete any additional selection requirements applicable to their programmes.
7. Monitor their application through the Wits Self-Service Portal.
8. Respond to any offer made by the university within the specified period.

The university’s current application process says applicants can apply for a maximum of three programmes, and each degree choice is treated as a separate application. The order in which applicants list their choices does not affect how the choices are considered.

For 2028 applicants, these procedures may be updated, so applicants should use the 2028 instructions when they are released.

When Will Wits Applications for 2028 Open?

Wits’ undergraduate application cycle generally begins well before the academic year starts.

The university’s current application timeline shows that undergraduate applications open in March, with applicants encouraged to prepare their documents and check programme requirements before applying.

For planning purposes, students intending to start at Wits in 2028 should begin preparing during 2027.

A useful preparation timeline is:

• Early 2027: Research Wits programmes and entry requirements.
• Before applications open: Prepare Grade 11 results, identification documents and other supporting documents.
• Around March 2027: Check whether 2028 applications have opened.
• During the application period: Submit your application as early as possible.
• Before the relevant closing date: Complete payment, document uploads and additional selection requirements.
• After applying: Regularly check your Wits Self-Service Portal.
• After final Grade 12 results: Wits can make final decisions based on official results.

Do not rely on dates from previous years as guaranteed 2028 deadlines. Wits can change application dates from one intake to another.

Wits University Application Closing Date for 2028

The exact Wits application closing dates for 2028 should be confirmed when the university publishes the official 2028 application information.

However, the latest undergraduate application cycle demonstrates an important pattern: different programmes have different deadlines.

For the 2027 intake, Wits set 30 June as the deadline for all Faculty of Health Sciences programmes, Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Audiology, Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology and BA Film and Television. Most other undergraduate programmes had a 30 September closing date.

This means you should not assume that every Wits programme has the same application deadline.

Programmes that may have earlier deadlines

Applicants should pay particular attention to:

• Health Sciences
• Medicine
• Dentistry and related programmes
• Bachelor of Architectural Studies
• Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Film and Television
• Programmes requiring portfolios or other selection exercises

For example, Wits currently lists 30 June as the application deadline for Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and several other Health Sciences programmes in the applicable application cycle.

Do not wait for the general September deadline if your programme has an earlier closing date.

How to Apply to Wits University for 2028

The Wits application process is completed online.

Step 1: Choose your degree

Start by deciding what you want to study. Use the Wits course finder to check the qualification, faculty, admission requirements and any additional selection requirements.

Step 2: Check your admission requirements

Before submitting an application, check whether you meet the academic requirements for the specific programme.

Look at:

• APS requirement
• English requirement
• Mathematics requirement
• Mathematical Literacy requirements, where accepted
• Other required subjects
• NBT requirements
• Portfolio requirements
• Auditions
• Interviews
• Job-shadowing requirements

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Current matriculants generally apply using their Grade 11 results. Students who have already completed matric may need to submit certified copies of their matric certificates and other relevant records.

Step 4: Complete the online application

Enter your details carefully and use your full names as they appear on your South African identity document or passport.

Wits specifically instructs applicants not to use initials or nicknames on their applications.

Step 5: Choose up to three programmes

Wits currently permits an applicant to apply for a maximum of three programmes. The university recommends keeping study options open, especially when applying to highly restricted faculties such as Health Sciences or Engineering.

Step 6: Pay the application fee

The current undergraduate application fee listed by Wits is R100.

Because fees can change, 2028 applicants should confirm the applicable fee when the 2028 application cycle opens.

Step 7: Upload supporting documents

An application is not complete simply because the online form has been submitted.

Wits states that applicants can upload documents during the application process or through the Self-Service Portal after submitting the application. The university warns that an application may not be considered if required documentation is missing.

Step 8: Complete additional selection requirements

Some degrees require additional processes such as:

• NBTs
• Portfolio submissions
• Auditions
• Interviews
• Job shadowing
• Essays or other assessments

These requirements vary by programme.

Step 9: Monitor your application

After applying, regularly log into the Wits Self-Service Portal.

The portal is used for application status updates, university correspondence and document management.

Wits University Application Requirements for 2028

University of the Witwatersrand Admission Requirements

The admission requirements depend on the qualification you choose.

For applicants with a South African National Senior Certificate, Wits generally requires:

• An NSC or recognised equivalent school-leaving qualification.
• A Bachelor’s degree pass.
• Required achievement levels in relevant subjects.
• The required Wits APS.
• Additional faculty or programme requirements where applicable.

Wits accepts the NSC offered through the Department of Basic Education, the Independent Examinations Board and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute, subject to its requirements.

International qualifications, NC(V) qualifications and older South African school-leaving qualifications are assessed under their respective admission rules.

Wits APS Score Explained

The Wits Admission Points Score (APS) is an important part of the undergraduate admission process for many faculties.

Wits calculates APS using the applicant’s best seven subjects, including Life Orientation, while required faculty-specific subjects must be included. The university also states that it does not distinguish between designated and non-designated subjects when calculating its APS.

The Wits scoring system is different from the standard NSC achievement-level points used by some other universities.

Wits APS scoring

Wits gives additional treatment to English and Mathematics in its APS calculation, and Life Orientation has its own contribution. Applicants should therefore use the official Wits APS calculation method, rather than an APS calculator designed for another university.

What APS Score Do You Need for Wits?

There is no single APS score that guarantees admission to Wits.

The required score depends on the programme.

For example, the current Wits course information lists:

• BA General: APS 36+, with English at Level 5 or higher. Applicants with 30–35 points may be wait-listed depending on available places.
• BSc General: APS 42+, with English at Level 5 and Mathematics at Level 5. Applicants with 40–41 may be wait-listed subject to available places.
• Bachelor of Architectural Studies: APS 29 or higher, Mathematics at 50% or higher and English at 50% or higher, together with the required selection exercise.

These examples show why applicants should never rely on a general statement such as “you need 40 APS to get into Wits.”

The requirement can vary substantially between programmes.

Does Wits Accept Mathematical Literacy?

Yes, but not for every programme.

Wits states that Mathematics is compulsory for numerate programmes in Commerce, Law and Management, Engineering and the Built Environment, Science and most programmes in Health Sciences.

Mathematical Literacy is considered for LLB, Education and Humanities programmes, with exceptions including Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Therefore, if you are choosing Grade 10 or Grade 11 subjects and already know you want to study a mathematically intensive Wits programme, check the programme requirements before selecting Mathematical Literacy.

University of the Witwatersrand Courses

Wits Application for Health Sciences

Health Sciences applications require particular attention because these programmes are highly selective and can have additional requirements.

Wits states that Health Sciences applications have specific selection processes. The Faculty does not calculate an APS score in the same way as other faculties. For relevant Health Sciences programmes, a matriculation score is calculated from percentages in specified subjects, and NBT results form part of selection.

Some Health Sciences programmes also require job-shadowing or other additional selection activities. The current Wits application timeline, for example, identifies job-shadowing requirements for certain programmes such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Oral Health Sciences.

Applicants interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Nursing or other Health Sciences programmes should therefore read the specific programme page rather than relying on the general Wits admission requirements.

Wits Application for Science Programmes

Science applicants should pay close attention to Mathematics and the NBT.

For the current BSc General programme, Wits lists:

• APS of 42 or higher
• English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 5
• Mathematics at Level 5

Applicants with 40–41 points may be considered for waitlisting depending on available space.

The Faculty of Science also requires applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests, specifically the Academic and Quantitative Literacy Test and Mathematics Test.

Requirements can differ for specific BSc fields, so applicants should check the exact programme.

University of the Witwatersrand Admission Requirements

Documents Required for a Wits Application

The documents required depend on your circumstances.

Current Grade 12 learners

Wits currently asks current matric applicants to upload their final Grade 11 results.

Applicants who have already matriculated

Applicants who have already completed matric should generally prepare certified copies of their matric certificate or relevant school-leaving qualification.

Applicants who attended another university

Wits requires official academic records from previous tertiary institutions. The current application instructions indicate that records should cover all tertiary registrations, including studies that were not completed, and include a statement or certificate of good conduct.

International applicants

International applicants should prepare their foreign school-leaving certificates and documentation required for South African university admission.

Wits University Application for International Students

International applicants can apply to Wits, but foreign qualifications are subject to additional requirements.

Wits states that international qualifications require the relevant matriculation exemption from the South African Matriculation Board. Faculty-specific admission requirements also apply.

International applicants should therefore check both:

1. Wits programme admission requirements.
2. South African matriculation exemption requirements.

Do not assume that a foreign secondary-school qualification will automatically be treated in exactly the same way as a South African NSC.

International students should also plan for immigration, fees and registration requirements after receiving an offer.

Can You Apply to More Than One Wits Programme?

Yes.

Wits currently allows an undergraduate applicant to apply for up to three programmes. Each choice is treated as a separate application, and the order of preference does not determine how the university considers the choices.

This gives applicants an opportunity to select alternative programmes rather than putting all their options into one highly competitive qualification.

Wits also advises applicants who select two programmes within one faculty to consider adding a programme in a less restricted faculty.

What Happens After You Apply to Wits?

Once Wits receives your application, the university sends an acknowledgement.

The acknowledgement includes your person number, which becomes your student number, and identifies an Admissions Consultant who can assist with queries.

You should then regularly check your Wits Self-Service Portal.

The portal allows applicants to:

• Check application status
• View university correspondence
• Upload outstanding documents
• Manage documents
• Keep contact information updated
• Review admission decisions

Do not rely solely on email. Wits specifically directs applicants to use the Self-Service Portal for application-related correspondence and status information.

Does Applying to Wits Guarantee Admission?

No.

This is one of the most important points for applicants to understand.

Wits explicitly says that satisfying the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. The university has a limited number of first-year undergraduate places, and final selection depends on factors including academic results, available places and other programme requirements.

This is particularly relevant for competitive programmes.

A student should therefore treat the published minimum as the minimum eligibility threshold, not as a guaranteed admission score.

Wits Application and Residence

Applying for a degree and applying for university residence are separate processes.

For the current cycle, Wits lists residence applications as opening separately and closing on 30 September. The university also states that late residence applications are not accepted.

For 2028, applicants should check the official residence application dates as soon as they become available.

Do not assume that being admitted to Wits automatically means that you have been allocated accommodation.

How to Improve Your Chances of a Successful Wits Application

There is no legitimate way to guarantee admission, but you can avoid common application mistakes.

Apply before the deadline

Do not wait until the final day. Some programmes have much earlier deadlines than others.

Choose programmes strategically

You can currently select up to three undergraduate programmes. Use those choices carefully.

Check subject requirements

A high APS does not compensate for missing a compulsory subject.

Complete additional requirements

If your programme requires an NBT, portfolio, audition, interview or job-shadowing requirement, complete it by the specified deadline.

Submit complete documentation

Wits says an application can be considered incomplete if required documents have not been received.

Monitor the Self-Service Portal

Check it regularly rather than waiting for someone to contact you.

Use accurate personal details

Your application should use your names as they appear on your identity document or passport.

Wits University Application 2028: A Simple Checklist

Before submitting your 2028 application, use this checklist:

• I have selected my intended Wits programme.
• I have checked the programme’s admission requirements.
• I know my expected Wits APS.
• I have the required Grade 11 results or final matric results.
• I have checked the Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy requirement.
• I have checked the English requirement.
• I know whether I need to write the NBT.
• I have checked for portfolio, audition, interview or job-shadowing requirements.
• I have prepared my identification documents.
• I have prepared certified documents where required.
• I have checked the specific application deadline.
• I have completed the online application.
• I have paid the applicable application fee.
• I have uploaded all required documents.
• I have saved my person/student number.
• I am checking the Wits Self-Service Portal regularly.

See Also: University of the Witwatersrand Contact Details

Final Word on the University of the Witwatersrand Application for 2028

The University of the Witwatersrand application for 2028 should be approached as a programme-specific process rather than a one-size-fits-all university application.

The latest official Wits information confirms that undergraduate applicants apply online, can select up to three programmes, must submit the required documentation and application fee, and should monitor their application through the Self-Service Portal.

The university’s current admission information also makes clear that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not automatically secure admission. Programme capacity, academic performance and additional selection criteria can affect the final decision.

For 2028 applicants, the safest approach is to use the current information for early preparation, but confirm all dates, fees, APS thresholds and programme-specific requirements when Wits publishes the official 2028 application information.