After you apply to the University of Pretoria (UP), you track your application on the UP Student Portal. UP posts your application status, offers and other messages there, so check it regularly. The steps below come from UP's online application guide and its frequently asked questions.
Check the UP Portal regularly
Once you have applied online, uploaded your ID or passport and your school results, and paid the application fee, log in to the UP Student Portal. Your application status and messages appear there. UP communicates important decisions on the portal rather than by post.
If you receive a conditional offer
If UP conditionally admits you to more than one programme, accept the programme you want and decline your second option on the portal.
Submit your contract
Your enrolment contract is available on the portal once you have been admitted or conditionally admitted. Complete it online, print it and submit it. You cannot register without it, and UP does not accept scanned or faxed contracts.
Final admission
UP updates your final admission based on your final NSC or equivalent results, and communicates it on the portal. You must confirm your final admission. If you do not, your admission is revoked.
Registration
Register as soon as possible. Registration depends on capacity, and admission does not guarantee registration. UP can cancel your place if you do not register within the time allowed.
Residence status
Your residence application status also appears on the portal. UP emails a placement letter to your preferred email address, and you can view it on the portal too. If the residences are full, you are placed on a waiting list.
When to apply
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026. UP says that applying on time improves your chances, because the process is highly competitive, and residence placement also depends partly on when you applied.
If you are not accepted
If UP does not offer you a place, the national Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) can help you find an alternative space in the post-school education and training system.
Sending documents
If UP asks for documents, send them preferably in TIF format. PDF and JPEG are also accepted, but UP cannot accept Bitmap files.
Logging in
If you are using the UP Portal for the first time, click New User, enter your student number (starting with u) as the username, then your ID or passport number, and follow the steps to set your password. See the UP student portal page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my UP application status?
Log in to the UP Student Portal, where your status and messages appear.
What happens if I do not confirm my final admission at UP?
Your admission is revoked.
Does UP accept scanned contracts?
No. UP does not accept scanned or faxed contracts.