Walter Sisulu University (WSU) publishes a Senate-approved University Calendar each year, which sets out the timeline for its academic activities. WSU had not published a 2027 calendar when we checked in November 2026, so the dates below come from WSU's official 2026 registration and graduation notices. They show how the start and end of the WSU year work across its Mthatha, Buffalo City, Butterworth and Komani campuses.
Registration in 2026
- Returning students and new students with firm admission: registration opened on 7 January 2026
- First-year students: registration opened on 15 January 2026
- Master's and PhD registration ended: 23 January 2026
- Registration ended for all students: 30 January 2026
- Amendments to registration records, such as subject cancellations and additions: 2 February to 2 March 2026
How registration works
WSU registration is online and takes place off campus. You log in to the online registration portal, check for registration restrictions, submit your registration and select your subjects. You are not registered until you click Accept Registration. After that, print your proof of registration, check that it shows the correct academic year and subjects, and use it to get your student card.
Graduations in 2026
WSU held its main graduation ceremonies in May 2026, with sessions at each campus from 4 May. Graduands had to graduate at the campus where they studied and completed their qualifications in 2025. A further ceremony took place on Friday, 25 September 2026, when WSU conferred qualifications centrally in the Great Hall at the Nelson Mandela Drive site in Mthatha. Electronic tickets for that ceremony became available from 16 September 2026.
Application dates for 2027
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 June 2026. They closed on 30 September 2026 for international applicants and on 31 October 2026 for general applications, including postgraduate applicants.
How the WSU year works
The WSU year runs from January to early December, with registration in January and an amendment period in the first month of teaching. Check the Senate-approved University Calendar for your teaching, test and examination dates, because faculties and departments set their own timetables within it.
Planning tips
Register early in January, because WSU closes registration for all students at the end of the month and master's and PhD registration closes even earlier. Use the amendment period in February if you need to change subjects, because changes after it may not be possible. Because registration is online, you do not need to travel to a campus to register. Keep your proof of registration safe, and check WSU's website for the 2027 University Calendar before the year starts.
Related pages
See how to apply to WSU, WSU fees and the WSU student portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did WSU registration close in 2026?
On 30 January 2026 for all students.
When were WSU's May 2026 graduations?
From 4 May 2026, at each campus.
Has WSU published its 2027 calendar?
Not when we checked in November 2026.