The University of the Free State (UFS) is gearing up for another exciting academic year as applications for 2025 are now open. With a rich history of academic excellence and a vibrant campus life.
UFS Applications Open for 2025 Academic Year
The UFS has officially opened its doors to new applications for the 2025 academic year. Prospective students can look forward to a variety of programs and courses designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for success in their future careers.
Faculties Open for Applications at UFS
All faculties at UFS are welcoming applications, offering a wide range of disciplines here is a list of the available faculties.
Available Courses for 2025 Applications at UFS
UFS have a diverse selection of courses for the 2025 academic year. Here are some of the available courses:
Undergraduate Studies(Undergraduate Prospectus 2025)
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Financial Planning
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing Management
- Tourism Management
Faculty of Education:
- Foundation Phase Teaching
- Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
- Educational Psychology
Faculty of Health Sciences:
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Radiography
- Speech-Language Pathology
Faculty of Law:
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences:
- Agricultural Economics
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Genetics
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Zoology
Faculty of the Humanities:
- Anthropology
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- English
- History
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
Faculty of Theology and Religion:
Alternative access to higher-education studies:
- Extended Programme in Economic and Management Sciences
- Extended Programme in Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Extended Programme in the Humanities
2025 Application Requirements at UFS
To apply, candidates must meet the Application Point score (APS) requirements for their chosen programs. Detailed information on these requirements can be found on the UFS 2025 Prospectus which you can download here.
Required Documents for Application at UFS
When submitting an application, it is crucial to provide required documents as specified by the university. Here is a complete list documents you must submit when applying to The University of the Free State (UFS).
Compulsory Required Documents for new Undergraduate Applicants:
SA Undergraduate Applicants and International Applicants 2 who studied their Matric/Grade 12 in South Africa
Already Finished Matric
- Certified ID Copy
- National Senior Certificate or Equivalent
- Consent Form from Guardian {if less than 18 years old}
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
Currently Doing Grade 12
- Certified ID Copy
- Grade 12 Mid-Year / June Results
- Consent Form from Guardian {if less than 18 years old}
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
Compulsory Required Documents for new Undergraduate Applicants:
International Undergraduate Applicants Already Finished High School Certificate or Equivalent
- Certified Passport / ID copy
- Proof of Payment for the Application Fee
- Certified copy final High School Certificate or Equivalent
- USAf Exemption certificate If you do not have USAf Exemption certificate, click here to apply for it https://mb.usaf.ac.za/online-assessment-and-application/
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
Compulsory Required Documents for Re-applicants / Continuing Students applications {those who had a break in studies}
- Certified Passport or ID Copy
- Certified copy final High School Certificate or Equivalent
- Certified copies of previous qualifications {for Postgraduate applicants}
- SAQA verification certificate If you do not have the SAQA verification certificate, click here to apply for it www.dfqeas@saqa.co.za {Foreign Qualifications Evaluations} – for International applicants.
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
Consent Form from Guardian {if less than 18 years old} click HERE to download the download the Parent/Guardian Consent Form
NB: Failure to upload all the compulsory required documents will result in your application not being considered.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
1.-UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
- Proof of Payment for the application fee
- Certified Passport or ID Copy
- Certified copy final High School Certificate or Equivalent
- USAf Exemption certificate If you do not have USAf Exemption certificate, click here to apply for it https://mb.usaf.ac.za/online-assessment-and-application/
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
2. POSTGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
- Proof of Payment for the application fee
- Certified Passport or ID Copy
- Certified copy final High School Certificate or Equivalent
- Certified copies of previous qualifications
- SAQA verification certificate If you do not have the SAQA verification certificate, click here to apply for it www.dfqeas@saqa.co.za {Foreign Qualifications Evaluations}
- For more information on International Applications click here
- All documents must be scanned in the pdf format
How to Apply for UFS 2025
Applying to UFS is a straightforward process. Prospective students must complete the online application form and submit it along with the necessary documents. A student number will be issued upon submission, which does not yet signify acceptance. Click here to apply.
Consider this when applying:
- 2025 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATIONS
The University of the Free State (UFS) has implemented a new policy regarding the Application Point (AP) score to streamline our admissions process and ensure that all applicants meet our academic standards. Effective immediately, only candidates who meet or exceed the specified AP thresholds for their chosen programmes will be eligible to submit an application. This change is designed to reduce administrative burdens and ensure that all applicants are given fair and focused consideration.
For detailed information on the minimum APS requirements for each programme, please visit our Admissions Requirements page. We encourage all prospective students to review these requirements carefully before applying.
- Please click HERE to consult the 2025 Undergraduate Prospectus to ensure you meet the minimum entrance requirements before applying.
- South African ID information will be verified by an external service provider. By continuing, you consent to this verification process.
- Each prospective student must complete the online application.
- Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
- Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet.
- In the case of applicants re-writing Grade 12 subjects, applications will be processed on the current results available. If Grade 12 has been written more than once then your combined results must be submitted with your application.
- Applicants writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) through IEB or SACAI examining bodies can apply online by selecting "National Senior Certificate" under the Results Detail page of the online application process.
- Applicants writing the Cambridge International Examination can apply online by selecting "Cambridge" under the Results Details page of the online application process
- Applicants currently in Grade 12 are requested to provide school stamped copies of final Grade 11 and or grade 12 June report.
- Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution are required to declare their previous studies when applying as well as upload an official full academic record/transcript with the certificate of conduct and degree/diploma certificate (where applicable).
- The University of the Free State does not accept the General Education Development (GED) test for entry into any of its curricular undergraduate qualifications. The GED is no longer recognized by Universities South Africa (USAf), and is not equivalent to a South African grade 12 (NSC/IEB/SACAI). Applicants who completed the GED and would like to study towards an undergraduate curricular qualification are advised to register and complete a grade 12 NSC/IEB/SACAI or international equivalent thereof.
- Applicants who did not complete /NSC/IEB must have USAF accreditation from the examination board for South African Universities. Click HERE to apply online for conditional exemption, foreign conditional exemption, or mature age conditional exemption, or send an email to applications@usaf.ac.za
2. 2025 POSTGRADUATE APPLICATIONS
- It is important to note that ALL Postgraduate programmes are selection programmes. Click HERE to consult the 2025 Postgraduate Prospectus.
- South African ID information will be verified by an external service provider. By continuing, you consent to this verification process.
- In some instances, Honours, Masters, and Doctoral students are expected to apply directly to the department or to pre-register. Please refer to the specific Faculty and departmental information to determine whether you need to apply directly or to pre-register. Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information.
- Each prospective student must complete the online application.
- Once your online application has been submitted and processed, you will receive a student number (Reference number).
- Receiving a student number (Reference number) does NOT imply that you have been accepted by the University of the Free State yet.
- Admission is a separate process when your application will be evaluated by the relevant faculty.
- Before you submit your online application and upload/email documents, please visit the relevant faculty/department website to confirm additional documentation that may be required e.g. departmental application form, CV, motivation, reports, dissertation/thesis proposal, etc. Visit the Faculty and specific department web page for more information.
- Applicants transferring from another university/tertiary institution and all postgraduate applicants are required to upload an official full academic record/transcript, certificate of conduct and degree/diploma certificate, and SAQA certificate is required if you hold a foreign/ international qualification .
- Advanced Diploma qualifications are classified as undergraduate. It is however processed (administratively) as a postgraduate qualification due to previous studies involved.
UFS Application Helpdesk Enquiries contacts:
Closing Date for 2025 Applications at UFS Academic Year
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date, which can be found below.
- CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30 SEPTEMBER
The University of Free State continues to uphold its commitment to providing quality education and fostering an environment where students can thrive. As the application period for the 2025 academic year commences, UFS invites all aspiring students to become a part of its dynamic community.
For more detailed information on the application process and requirements, please visit the UFS official application portal here.