On this page, you will find helpful tips and secrets on applying online at the University of Johannesburg for the 2026 academic year, and actually how to get accepted at.
The secrets discussed here will enhance your chances of getting accepted to study at UJ for 2026.
Im sure you have heard that:
last year in 2024, 400,000+ students applied for 760,000 courses offered at UJ for the 2025 academic year. All these 400 000+ learners where competing for only 10,900 spaces available for first-year undergraduates.
To make matters worse, the distinction students – Orange Carpet (top achiever), who applied at UJ already exceeded the 10,900 available spaces
Let that sink in for a moment.
Now, do you still think you will make it to study at UJ in 2026?
Online Application 2026 Secrets – How to Get Accepted at UJ
It is a known fact that:
- UJ Application Dates for 2026 are 1 April – 31 October 2025
- You should apply for more than one study choice
- You can use your grade 11 results, etc
But that won’t get increase your chances of getting accepted at UJ for 2026.
Secret No. 1 – Apply at UJ Indirectly
What do I mean by applying at UJ indirectly?
I’m not talking about bribing UJ application officials to secure space, which is a common concern across many universities in SA these days.
But I’m talking about applying for the course which will guarantee you a space for the first year. Here is how it works:
- Apply for an online certificate course or any online course with no space constraints at UJ for 2026. Online short courses range from 3 months to 1 year.
- Once accepted, you will study and pass that course. But you must apply again for your main course which you will study in 2027.
- When UJ selects students for the 2027 courses, your name will be there, not just as an unknown student, but as a student already studying at UJ.
- UJ will have a high chance of accepting you because you are already one of their own.
The above advice works only if you are ready to lose a full year of study. For many students, this is worth it.
Secret No. 2 – Qualify for UJ Orange Carpet – Top Achievers
If you want to significantly increase your chances to study at UJ in 2026, you must qualify for the UJ Orange Carpet. This is a UJ top achiever students classification, where UJ selects the students who have achieved the following:
- APS of 37 or higher in the Grade 11 final report (but not lower than Level 6 in every subject).
- Maintain the same results in Grade 12.
- Meet the specific subject requirements for the programme you are interested in.
Students who make it to the UJ Orange Carpet get accepted with ease. They also get a UJ merit bursary.
This option is not easy for many students with just average matric results.
Secret No. 3 – Apply at Another University with Low Competition and Transfer to UJ Later
If the top options are not for you, then try this one.
If your true aim is to study at UJ at all costs, you should try applying first at the universities with low competition and always have space, such as UKZN, University of Zululand, UFS, University of Mpumalanga, etc. These universities are outside of Gauteng, and Western Cape – the most preferred provinces by students in South Africa and Internationally.
Once accepted by any of those universities, then you should apply for a transfer to the University of Johannesburg as a second-year student. This works if you are transferring to the same course at UJ. Nevertheless, you might need to do some bridging courses and/or even some first-year subjects to qualify.
This option makes your chances higher because you are not competing with the first-year students.
