Online applications at the University of Free State (UFS) for 2026, are now open as from 1st of April 2025, but less than a quarter of applicants will get a space at UFS in 2026.
Getting accepted by UFS as a first year student who applied online, is increasingly becoming a nightmare. This reality is shared by thousands of prospective learners who want to study at South African’s reputable universities such as UJ, WITS, UCT UP, and UFS.
Let’s look at this reality:
In the previous year, UFS received around 240,393 online applications but could only accept about 8,100 first-year students, which makes UFS acceptance rate to be 3.37%.
In a real world, UFS will accept 3 first year students, out of a 100 who will apply in 2026.
Many students we have assisted here at wisestudent.co.za, who get accepted at UFS, did not even prefer UFS as their first choice. They only got accepted at UFS because their first choice universities rejected them. But because they were good students, UFS had space for them.
How to Apply at UFS in 2026 and Find Space?
That being said, there are still some options for students to consider if they want to increase their chances of getting accepted at UFS in 2026, after applying.
Here are the options:
Change courses as you go
If you really want to study at UFS in 2026, it will not disadvantage you to only apply for those courses that have space, even if your first choice courses were rejected. This is because you can easily change degrees and subjects as you go. If you decide to change your course or subjects, UFS will allow you to do that.
Changing subjects and degrees as a second year student will put you at an advantaged position because you are already a UFS student, and will not be competing for space with the first year. You will be preferred as you are already one of their own.
Get higher marks
Students with higher marks will automatically be preferred by any university, including UFS. You should aim at getting above average marks in your matric.
Here is an example of marks you need to get to eliminate competition towards studying at UFS in 2026:
- Achieve a minimum of 70% in your six best subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
- Your Admission Point Score (APS) must be at least 37 for both final Grade 11 and final Grade 12 results.
- Meet the specific subject requirements for the course you are applying for.