You’re in Grade 12 or have just wrapped up Grade 11 and want to start your future at an innovative, globally competitive, and top-ranking university in South Africa. North-West University (NWU) should be your top option. Among the best universities in South Africa, NWU is renowned for its excellent contact and distance learning programmes, eight (8) diverse faculties and three welcoming campuses. Applying to a university may feel overwhelming, but with NWU’s straightforward and easy-to-navigate online application process, there’s no reason to delay.

What do you need to know before applying?

Applying for university admission is an important step toward opening up future career opportunities, and you must take it seriously. Keep a calendar on your phone or physically for important dates like application opening and closing, residence applications, and more.

For example, applications for the 2026 academic year will officially open on 1 April 2025. Knowing these dates will help you not miss any important submissions, as late applications will not be allowed.

• NWU only allows one application per person per academic year. Ensure all your information is correct on the application.
• Select up to two study choices at NWU’s various campuses. 
• You need a valid email address to remember to use in the application process and for any communication from the NWU to you.
• You must have a copy of an ID document (not a birth certificate) and your final Grade 11 or Grade 12 results (if you have already completed matric) on hand during the application process.
• Meeting the minimum requirements for your desired course does not guarantee acceptance. Admission decisions are final, and no appeals are allowed.

The documents should be scanned individually and saved as PDFs or JPEGs to be able to upload them.

 

How to apply for NWU:

You know the when (starting 1 April), but what about the where and how?

 

Step 1: Create your application profile

Visit NWU online application and generate your application profile by filling out your details. Note that the username refers to your email address.

Ensure that all your details are recorded to mirror your ID document since your profile will be connected to your details as per your ID.

• Save these details, you will be regularly logging black onto the portal along your admissions journey

 

Step 2: Find your temporary password

The system will send you an email. Open your email account to find your username and temporary password and move back to log in with those details. Ensure you only keep one portal open to avoid confusion.

You have the option to change your password. The new password must include at least eight characters, including capital letters, numbers, and special characters, e.g. #MyBestSelf25!

 

Step 3: Get started

Log in and read the information to orientate yourself. When you are ready, click on the purple ‘Apply Now’ button to move on to the detailed application screen.

 

Step 4: What, where, and how will you study?

This is the screen you want to pay close attention to and even write your decisions down in a trusted diary.

Select either contact (on-campus) or distance (remote) learning options and select the undergraduate degree option. Choose from the full-time or part-time option and your preferred campus (Potchefstroom, Mahikeng or Vanderbijlpark).

Note that certain fields of study are linked to particular campuses, and you cannot study courses at campuses where they are not offered. Choose your two study choices (putting your preferred option as ‘study choice one’).

You must select a corresponding campus for each study choice, as some campuses offer the same options. Select ‘save and continue’ before moving on.

 

Step 5: Your details as on your ID

Move on to the ‘Personal Details’ screen and permit NWU to disclose your personal information as per the POPI Act.  Fill out your personal information, mirroring your ID document with full first and second names.

 

Step 6: Your academic and scholastic background

Proceed to the ‘Previous Education’ section and click the ‘Add’ button, selecting your high school and most recent high school results. Note that if you are in Grade 12, your Grade 11 end-of-year results are relevant here.

Your final Grade 12 examination results are relevant here if you have completed school. Remember to select the ‘Education board’, for example, NSC or IEB. Click to add your subjects (7 subjects and life orientation must be included). The ‘grade’ refers to the percentages achieved on your report card.

Step 7: Residence and bursary info

Continue to the ‘Additional Information’ section and select who is funding your studies (whether it be self-funded, or through a bursary like NSFAS).

There is a button to indicate if you want residence (hostel) placement. This is the first step, and if you are unsure, indicate yes, so that you have the option if you are offered a conditional offer.

 

Step 8: Get your docs in a row

Upload all the required documents in either JPEG or PDF format. Read the declaration screen and check the checkbox to indicate acceptance of the declaration.

Take note of the application bar at the top of the screen, which tells you if your application is complete. Review your application from start to finish, ensuring all information is correct.

 

Step 9: Submit when ready

Once confident of your application, click ‘Submit Application’.

The system will then return to the dashboard, providing an overview of your progress and an application number, status and preferred study choices.

If you want to correct an error, you may download an application summary and then re-upload your documents. Always download your documents and keep them safe.

Check out this step-by-step video to guide you on how to apply for university (for your undergraduate degree): 

 

Step 10: Wait and respond

Now that you’ve applied, give NWU time to thoroughly review your application before checking your status.

After submitting your application, you must regularly check your emails for any correspondence from the NWU. Also, log onto your application portal regularly to track your application status. If your application is successful, you will receive a conditional offer, which you need to accept and submit to be able to register the following year.

 

Until then, study hard and make great memories of your last high school year.