How to Apply to the NWU

You apply to North-West University (NWU) online, through its application portal. You may choose two study options, and you pay a small administration fee. For the 2027 intake, selection programmes closed first, and general programmes and residence applications closed on 31 August 2026. Here is how the process works, based on the NWU's official application pages.

Master's and doctoral applications follow a later timeline, and for 2027 they close on 30 November 2026.

Before you begin

You need a valid personal email address, because it becomes your username, and the NWU allows only one applicant per address. You also need your documents in PDF or JPEG format, each saved as a separate file:

• Your ID document or passport. The NWU does not accept birth certificates.
• Your final Grade 11 results, or your final Grade 12 results if you have finished school
• For postgraduate applicants, a research concept or proposal

Before you choose your options, check that you meet the admission requirements, because programmes that you do not qualify for will not be available to you. Also check which campus offers each programme.

The application steps

1. Create your profile on the NWU online application portal with your email address.
2. Log in with the temporary password that the NWU sends you, then set a new one.
3. Choose your two study options and say whether you want residence placement.
4. Upload your documents one at a time.
5. Pay the administration fee online.

The administration fee

The non-refundable administration fee is R150 for South African applicants and R600 for international applicants. You can only pay it online. If you are admitted, the NWU credits the fee to your student account.

Choose your two options carefully

You can apply only once per academic year, and changing your course after you submit is difficult. The NWU accepts you into only one course. If it accepts your second choice, it will not consider you for your first choice afterwards.

After you apply

Track your status on your profile dashboard. "Application Submitted" means that the NWU is reviewing your application, and "Application Verified" means that it has confirmed your information and documents. If you receive a conditional offer, you have 15 days to accept it.

For residence, indicate your interest when you apply. Once you have a conditional offer, you can choose your top three residences and complete the residence application.

Contacting the NWU

Email studies@nwu.ac.za, call the NWU Call Centre on 0860 169 698, or send a WhatsApp to 060 070 2606. Include your application number and chosen course.