The North-West University (NWU) will not allow walk-in applications or admission enquiries for first-year students in 2026, due to capacity limitations.

The NWU has received more than 420 000 applications across eight faculties on the Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbiljpark 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,” stated Bertie Jacobs, NWU communication specialist, in an official press release.

The NWU also mentioned that 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.

According to the NWU, prospective students needed to apply during the application period from 1 April – 31 August 2025. The NWU further mentioned that the application period for 2027 will be communicated in due course.

Other application opportunities

Prof. Hennie Goede, NWU Registrar pointed to the fact that unsuccessful applicants 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.