No walk-in enquiries/applications allowed during registration of first-year students in 2026

The North-West University (NWU) congratulates matriculants who have passed their 2025 examinations. Well done and best wishes. You are now at a very crucial stage of your life that requires you to make decisions about your career(s). We look forward to welcoming successful applicants who have chosen to advance their careers at the NWU. 

We have received more than 420 thousand applications for the various programmes that are offered across our eight faculties on our three campuses. Regrettably, due to limited capacity, we are unable to accept all the applications including those whose Admission Points Score (APS) meet the degree/programme requirements. Approximately 90 000 applications that were received when the application period closed on 31 August 2025 have a 30+ APS. We can admit only 11 800 first year students (contact and distance) for the 2026 academic year in terms of the enrolment target(s) approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. 

First-year applicants who received NWU conditional admission offers for 2026 will be informed about the status of their applications shortly after the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.  

All prospective students who are uncertain whether they were admitted to study at the NWU should check the status of their application online on their profile dashboard by logging in to: https://applynow.nwu.ac.za/OnlineApplication/

Alternatively, applicants can contact the NWU, when online registration for first-year students commences on 19 January 2026. The following contact information can be used: 

  • Email: studies@nwu.ac.za 
  • WhatsApp line: +27 (0) 60 070 2606 
  • SMS-line: 31750 
  • NWU Call Centre: 0860 169 698 

Therefore, we will not allow any walk-in admission enquiries or applications for the 2026 academic year. Persons who did not apply for admission to study at the NWU during the application period (1 April – 31 August 2025) will not be able to apply for admission at this point. We shall communicate the application period for 2027 soon. 

PLEASE NOTE:

The NWU does not charge any fees for application or admission, but only for registration. Be cautious of anyone claiming they can secure placement in exchange for payment. All applications and registrations are handled exclusively by the official NWU Admissions Office. Please report any suspicious activity to nwu@whistleblowing.co.za

Prof. Hennie Goede, NWU Registrar reminds unsuccessful applicants that another opportunity for application for further studies exists, as they may register online on the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) website for consideration at various universities depending on the availability of spaces. The national CACH sign-up service aims to provide unsuccessful applicants with access to career development services and, where possible, an opportunity to access spaces still available at other higher-education institutions. Their call centre can be reached on 0860 690 722.

The CACH facility sends prospective students’ information to all tertiary-education institutions. These institutions may contact them where places exist and if students meet the requirements.

 

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