The North-West University (NWU), a South African public higher education institution, whose policies and rules are governed in accordance with the supreme law of the country – the South African Constitution – has the responsibility and accountability to ensure access and success of students.
As a public institution, the university recruits and admit qualifying students, regardless of their origin (village/township/town/region), race, religion, or gender.
The applications for admission at the NWU are free of charge for all prospective students. The above principles apply to staff recruitment and employment.
Since the release of the Grade 12 results, we have experienced an unprecedented volume of enquiries and requests regarding late applications for the 2026 academic year. Many of these enquiries originate from the Mahikeng and surrounding communities.
We acknowledge the hope, anticipation, and anxiety that accompany this important milestone in the lives of prospective students and their families. Access to higher education represents opportunity, aspiration, and a better future, and we recognise the deep emotional investment attached to these applications.
However, it is important to reiterate the realities governing admissions at all South African public universities. There are limited spaces available for universities including the NWU to admit all students. As communicated previously we received more than 420 000 applications for the 2026 academic year, while there are only 11 800 spaces available for first-year students across our campuses. As a result, late applications cannot be accommodated under any circumstances. To this end, we will not allow any walk-in enquiries for applications.
The number of first-year students who can be accepted is guided by enrolment targets approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), as well as programme-specific capacity limits and subject requirements. Consequently, some applicants whose results may satisfy the requirements of their preferred degrees/programmes may be unsuccessful in securing admission spaces and applicable criteria.
We are diligently finalising admission decisions in strict accordance with its admission policies, as approved by the NWU Council. This process is conducted with integrity, fairness, and transparency, and is beyond reproach.
We have noted allegations circulating among some interest groups/structures suggesting that preference is being given to applicants from outside the North West Province. These allegations are categorically false, mischievous and divisive. The North West Province constitutes the second-largest source of students across the NWU’s three campuses, and on the Mahikeng Campus in particular, students from the North West remain in the majority. As a public institution, we carry a constitutional and legal obligation to operate as a national university, serving all South Africans equally.
While we appreciate the disappointment and uncertainty of unsuccessful prospective students and their parents we must emphasise that capacity constraints are not unique to the NWU, but are a national reality across all 26 public universities. In this context, the NWU has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to the harassment, intimidation, or threatening of staff members who are executing their duties with professionalism, commitment, and integrity. Members of the public are urged to refrain from accessing offices and making demands or confronting staff about the applications. Such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
We respectfully appeal to all stakeholders – students, parents, community leaders, and staff – to exercise patience and understanding while we execute the admission and registration processes.
The majority of final offers have already been issued. Applicants who remain uncertain about their admission status are strongly encouraged to verify their application status online by logging into their profile dashboard at: https://applynow.nwu.ac.za/OnlineApplication/
Applicants who have received provisional acceptance may also contact the NWU through the following official channels:
Email: studies@nwu.ac.za
WhatsApp: +27 (0)60 070 2606
SMS line: 31750
NWU Call Centre: 0860 169 698
Information regarding the 2027 application period will be communicated in due course. Prospective students are urged to apply within the published application window to avoid a recurrence of the current situation.
The university remains committed to academic excellence, fairness, and the responsible stewardship of opportunity, while continuing to serve students, staff, and communities with dignity and respect.
Thank you
Prof. Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka
NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor
