On this page, you will find helpful tips, official requirements, and “secrets” on applying online at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for the 2026 academic year.
The competition to study at UJ is more intense than almost any other university in South Africa. Last year, over 400,000 students applied for the limited spaces available for first-year undergraduates. To make matters worse, the number of distinction students (Orange Carpet candidates) who applied often exceeds the total capacity for certain popular courses.
If you want to secure your seat for 2026, you cannot just “apply and hope.” You need a strategy. Below are the official application details combined with strategic secrets to enhance your chances.
Important Dates for UJ 2026 Applications
Before we get to the secrets, you must respect the deadlines. If you miss these, no amount of strategy will help you.
- Opening Date: 01 April 2025
- Closing Date (All Undergraduate Programmes): 31 October 2025 @ 12:00
- Closing Date (Student Accommodation): 31 October 2025 @ 12:00
Note: UJ is one of the universities open for 2026 applications with no application fee if you apply online. If you apply via a paper form, there is a R200 fee.
Secret No. 1 – The “Indirect” Route (Bridging & Certificates)
What do I mean by applying at UJ indirectly? I am not talking about bribing officials (which is illegal and a scam). I am talking about applying for a course that is easier to get into to secure your footing at the institution.
- Apply for an Extended Programme: If your marks are borderline for a Degree (e.g., APS 26-28) and you don’t qualify for the mainstream path, do not just apply for the Degree and get rejected. Look for Extended Curriculum versions of that course.
- Look for Lower APS Courses: Many students aim too high. If your marks are average, consider applying for UJ courses below 25 APS or courses that don’t require Maths. Once you are in the system, you can upskill.
- Internal Transfer: After successfully completing your first year (or a Higher Certificate), you can apply for an internal transfer to your desired degree for 2027. This is essentially creating your own bridging course. UJ generally prioritizes their own successful students over external applicants.
Trade-off: You might add an extra year to your studies, but you guarantee your spot.
Secret No. 2 – The “Orange Carpet” (The Guaranteed Route)
The Orange Carpet is UJ’s elite rewards programme. If you qualify for this, you don’t just “apply” – you are courted by the university.
How to Qualify for Orange Carpet in 2026:
According to the 2026 Prospectus, you need:
- An APS of 37 or higher (calculated from your 6 best subjects, excluding Life Orientation).
- You must have a Level 6 (70%) or higher in all of those 6 subjects.
- You must meet the specific subject requirements for your chosen course (e.g., APS score for Information Technology often requires high Maths marks).
What you get if you qualify:
- Guaranteed Admission: You are accepted immediately (conditional on you maintaining these marks in your Finals).
- Merit Bursaries:
- APS 37–39: 50% off tuition.
- APS 40–41: 75% off tuition.
- APS 42: 100% off tuition.
- APS >42: 100% tuition + R5,485 stipend.
- Library Privileges: You get postgraduate-level access.
Strategy: If you are close to an APS of 37 in your Grade 11 report, push hard to reach it. It is the only “VIP ticket” into UJ.
Secret No. 3 – The “Transfer Strategy”
If your heart is set on UJ but your Grade 11 marks won’t get you in due to the volume of applications, try applying to institutions with lower application volumes or different entry criteria.
- Apply to universities like Nelson Mandela University (NMU) or University of the Free State (UFS), which may have more space for specific courses.
- Complete your first year there with excellent marks.
- Apply to transfer to UJ for your second year.
Universities look favourably on students who have already proven they can handle the tertiary workload. You are no longer a “risk” like a high school leaver; you are a proven university student.
How to Calculate Your UJ APS
UJ calculates your score differently from some other universities.
- Life Orientation is EXCLUDED from the calculation.
- You take your 6 best 20-credit subjects.
- Score Scale:
- 80–100% = 7 points
- 70–79% = 6 points
- 60–69% = 5 points
- 50–59% = 4 points
- 40–49% = 3 points
- 30–39% = 2 points
- 0–29% = 1 point
Example: If you want to study a BEd in Education, the minimum APS is usually 28 (Excluding LO).
Documents You Must Have Ready
When applying online, ensure you have these scanned and ready to upload. Missing documents will delay your application, costing you a space.
- ID Document: Certified copy (or Passport for international students).
- Final Grade 11 Report: If you are currently in Matric. Check which Grade 11 report is needed here.
- Final Grade 12 Certificate: If you have already completed school.
- Email Address: Ensure it is valid and one you check daily. UJ sends all acceptance letters via email.
If you need funding, remember to apply for [suspicious link removed] or check the NRF Bursary requirements if you are entering research-heavy fields.
Click Here to Apply Online At UJ for 2026
Good luck! Apply early (before August) to give yourself the best chance.