Start here
Which applicant are you?
Your starting point shapes the rest of the journey. Most people here are in Grade 12, but the route looks different if you're rewriting matric, mature-age, international, transferring, NCV-qualified, postgraduate or returning to study. Pick your situation below for the right entry point.
Current Grade 12 learner
Apply with Grade 11 final results. Universities issue a conditional offer until your final NSC results are out.
Next stepMatric rewrite candidate
Second Chance Programme (under 21) or Amended Senior Certificate (21+). Apply concurrently with rewrite registration.
Next stepMature applicant (23+)
Apply for a Mature Age Exemption Certificate from the USAf Matriculation Board or via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Next stepInternational applicant
SAQA evaluation + Foreign Conditional Exemption Certificate from USAf, then a study visa (BI-1738) after acceptance.
Next stepTransfer student
Standard application plus a credit-transfer submission to the destination faculty's RPL or transfer committee.
Next stepNCV (Level 4) graduate
TVET Level 4 qualifies for Bachelor's-track entry at many universities and Diploma articulation at UoTs.
Next stepPostgraduate applicant
Honours, Masters and PhD applications. Identify a supervisor for research-track programmes before applying.
Next stepReturning learner
Re-registration after a break in study. Contact your previous registrar's office about special permission.
Next stepThe journey
Three stages, in order
Every applicant works through these three stages, from research and comparison, through submitting the application, to responding to offers and registering.
Step 1
Before you apply
Compare all 9 SA post-school routes, find what you can study with your APS, plus open days, NBT and bursaries.
Read guideStep 2
Applying to university
Documents you need, direct vs CAO application, fees per university, residence and bursary timing.
Read guideStep 3
After applying
Track your application, understand offer types, respond by the deadline, register. Plus fallback options if no offer.
Read guideDates and tracking
When to apply and how to track it
Two directories that carry through the whole journey: what's open when and how to check your status once you've submitted.
Live key-date directory tracking opening, closing and faculty deadlines for every public South African university.
View key dates →Direct links to the official application status portals for every public SA university, plus the CAO portal for KZN universities.
Track applications →Deep dive
Tools and directories
Jump straight to any specific tool or directory across NavyBlue.
Not sure where to start?
Calculate your APS for every SA university in 30 seconds, then we'll show you what you can study.
Open the APS Calculator