The University of the Free State has opened applications for the 2027 academic year. Prospective students should prepare all the required supporting documents before starting their online applications.
Uploading clear and correct documents helps UFS process an application without unnecessary delays. The documents required will depend on whether you are still in Grade 12, have completed matric, previously studied at another institution, are applying for postgraduate studies or hold international qualifications.
Applications for admission to UFS in 2027 opened on 1 April 2026, and there is no application fee. Applicants must complete every stage of the online application before it can be submitted successfully.
UFS 2027 Application Documents at a Glance
Most undergraduate applicants should prepare the following:
- A copy of their South African identity document or valid passport
- Final Grade 11 results or June Grade 12 results
- Final Grade 12 results or a school-leaving certificate, where available
- An academic record for previous tertiary studies
- A certificate of conduct, where applicable
- A qualification certificate if a previous qualification has been completed
- Additional documents required by a selection programme
Postgraduate, transfer and international applicants may need additional documents, including academic transcripts, qualification certificates, research documents and a South African Qualifications Authority evaluation.
Documents Needed by Current Grade 12 Learners
Applicants who are currently completing Grade 12 should upload:
- A copy of their South African ID or passport
- Their final Grade 11 results if applying before Grade 12 results are available
- Their June or mid-year Grade 12 results, depending on when they apply
- Any additional documents required for their chosen programme
UFS advises applicants who are still at school to submit either final Grade 11 results or June Grade 12 results. Applicants who initially apply with Grade 11 results can later upload their Grade 12 results through the university’s application self-service platform.
The results document should clearly show:
- The applicant’s full name
- The name of the school
- All subjects taken
- Marks or percentages
- The school’s official stamp, where applicable
Applicants should capture their subjects exactly as they appear on their school results when completing the online form.
Documents Needed If You Have Completed Matric
Applicants who have already completed Grade 12 should prepare:
- A copy of their South African ID or valid passport
- Their final National Senior Certificate results
- A copy of their school-leaving certificate, where available
- Any additional selection documents required by the programme
UFS requires applicants who have already completed Grade 12 to submit their final Grade 12 certificate.
Ensure that the uploaded document includes all subjects and final marks. Do not upload only one page if the results or certificate consists of several pages.
Documents Needed by Applicants Upgrading Matric Subjects
Applicants who are upgrading one or more Grade 12 subjects should prepare:
- Their original matric results
- Their latest upgraded results
- A combined results certificate if one has been issued
- A copy of their ID or passport
Applicants should upload enough information for UFS to view their complete Grade 12 record. Uploading only the upgraded subject results may leave the application without proof of the remaining subjects.
Final admission will depend on the official results available when UFS evaluates the application.
Documents Needed by Transfer Students
Applicants who are studying or previously studied at another university or tertiary institution should generally upload:
- A copy of their ID or passport
- Final Grade 12 results or a school-leaving certificate
- A complete academic record or transcript
- A certificate of conduct
- Copies of completed qualification certificates, where applicable
- Additional faculty documents required for credit recognition
UFS specifically instructs transferring applicants to upload all requested documents, including their academic record, with the application. Applications from students transferring from another tertiary institution close on 30 September 2026 for the 2027 intake.
An academic record should show:
- All modules attempted
- Marks obtained
- Credits completed
- The academic years attended
- The applicant’s current academic standing
Applicants seeking recognition for modules completed elsewhere may also be asked to provide official module descriptions or syllabi so that the faculty can compare the course content.
Submitting an academic transcript does not guarantee that all previous credits will be recognised.
Documents Needed for Postgraduate Applications
Applicants applying for an honours degree, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree or doctoral programme may need:
- A copy of their ID or valid passport
- Certified copies of previous qualification certificates
- Complete academic transcripts
- A curriculum vitae
- A motivation letter
- A research concept note or research proposal
- Academic or professional references
- Proof of relevant work experience
- A SAQA evaluation for international qualifications
- Additional documents required by the relevant department
The exact requirements differ between faculties, departments and qualifications. UFS advises postgraduate applicants to consult the 2027 postgraduate prospectus and the relevant faculty for detailed admission requirements.
Certain postgraduate programmes specifically require certified copies of the applicant’s ID or passport, previous qualification certificates and complete academic transcripts. Some departments state that certified documents should not be older than three months.
Applicants should therefore follow the document instructions for their selected qualification rather than relying only on the general application checklist.
Documents Needed by International Applicants
International applicants should prepare:
- A certified copy of a valid passport
- Final Grade 11 results
- Mid-year or predicted Grade 12 results
- Final Grade 12 results when available
- A certified copy of the school-leaving certificate
- Previous academic records, where applicable
- A certificate of conduct
- Previous qualification certificates
- A SAQA evaluation for postgraduate qualifications obtained outside South Africa
- A Universities South Africa certificate of exemption, where required
- Additional documents required for visa and registration purposes
International applicants who do not hold a South African National Senior Certificate may need a Universities South Africa Certificate of Exemption. Cambridge and other international school applicants should submit predicted or mid-year results when they become available.
The UFS 2027 international undergraduate guide lists the following documents for the application stage:
- A passport or South African ID
- Final Grade 11 results bearing the school’s stamp
- Mid-year Grade 12 results
- Final Grade 12 results, where available
- A certified school-leaving certificate, where available
- Proof of current Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced Level enrolment, where applicable
- An academic transcript, certificate of conduct or qualification certificate for previous studies
International applicants are instructed to upload certified documents.
SAQA Evaluation for International Postgraduate Applicants
International postgraduate applicants who completed qualifications outside South Africa must upload a SAQA certificate with their applications.
A SAQA evaluation helps determine how a foreign qualification compares with qualifications on South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework.
Because the evaluation process may take time, applicants should begin the process early and avoid waiting until the application closing date.
Additional Documents for International Registration
Some documents may not be required during the first online application stage but will be needed before registration.
International applicants may later need:
- A valid study visa endorsed for study at UFS
- Proof of South African medical aid
- A police clearance certificate
- Proof of financial support
- A USAf exemption certificate
- A visa undertaking letter from UFS
- Final school results
UFS states that international students must have a valid study visa endorsed for the university before entering South Africa. The university’s international guide also requires a police clearance certificate covering the relevant period after the applicant turned 18.
These immigration documents are generally part of the admission and registration process and should not be confused with the initial academic application documents.
Are Certified Documents Required for UFS Applications?
The certification requirement depends on the type of applicant.
For general South African applications, the UFS online application portal states that documents do not need to be certified. Each uploaded file must be no larger than 5 MB.
International applicants, however, are instructed to ensure that the documents they upload are certified. Certain postgraduate departments may also require certified copies of qualification certificates, transcripts and identity documents.
Applicants should follow the instructions displayed on the portal and the requirements published by their faculty.
Additional Documents for Selection Programmes
Some UFS programmes have additional selection requirements. Applicants may be asked to submit or complete:
- A selection form
- A questionnaire
- A portfolio
- A motivation letter
- Proof of job shadowing
- Medical or fitness information
- An interview
- An audition
- Additional academic information
Programmes such as Medicine, Nursing, Architecture and other selection qualifications may have separate document and assessment requirements.
Applicants must check the programme page and 2027 undergraduate prospectus to confirm whether an additional form is required. For example, UFS published a separate 2027 selection form for Architecture applicants.
How to Prepare Your Documents for Uploading
Before uploading your documents, check that:
- The entire page is visible
- The text and marks are readable
- The document is facing the correct direction
- No corners or sections are missing
- All required pages are included
- The file is no larger than 5 MB
- The applicant’s name and identifying details are visible
- The document is uploaded under the correct category
- Certified copies are used where required
- The file is not password-protected
UFS warns that failing to upload the correct information may delay the processing of an application. (
Use clear filenames such as:
ID_Document.pdfFinal_Grade_11_Results.pdfJune_Grade_12_Results.pdfMatric_Certificate.pdfAcademic_Transcript.pdfCertificate_of_Conduct.pdfQualification_Certificate.pdfSAQA_Evaluation.pdfResearch_Proposal.pdf
Avoid unclear filenames such as scan1, picture, document-new or final-final-copy.
How to Apply to UFS for 2027
Applications are completed through the official UFS online application portal.
Follow these general steps:
- Select the undergraduate or postgraduate application option.
- Enter your study and applicant information.
- Choose up to two study options.
- Verify your email address and contact details.
- Complete your personal and academic information.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Read and accept the application agreement.
- Review all information entered.
- Complete every stage of the online application.
- Submit the application.
- Save the acknowledgement email and student number.
UFS confirms that applicants may choose two study options. A confirmation email is issued after a completed application has been submitted.
Is There a UFS Application Fee for 2027?
No. Applying to the University of the Free State for the 2027 academic year is free.
The university’s official 2027 application portal confirms that no application fee is charged.
Applicants should be cautious of individuals who ask for money in exchange for submitting an ordinary UFS admission application or guaranteeing acceptance.
UFS 2027 Undergraduate Application Closing Dates
The main undergraduate closing dates are:
31 May 2026
- MB ChB
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Physiotherapy
- Radiation Science
- Biokinetics
- Dietetics
- Sports Coaching
31 July 2026
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Architecture
31 August 2026
- International undergraduate applications
30 September 2026
- Transfer students from other tertiary institutions
- All other selection and non-selection programmes
These closing dates are published on the official UFS 2027 application portal.
Postgraduate closing dates differ according to the faculty and programme. Applicants should check the postgraduate prospectus and relevant faculty page.
What Happens If Documents Are Missing?
Applicants who do not upload the required documents may experience delays in the processing of their applications.
UFS may request outstanding documents after an application has been submitted. The international undergraduate guide states that applicants who have not submitted all required documents will be asked to provide them so that the application can be finalised.
Applicants should regularly monitor:
- Their application self-service profile
- Their email inbox
- Their spam or junk folder
- Messages sent by UFS
Do not start a second application merely because supporting documents are outstanding. Upload the requested documents to the existing application where possible.
How to Check Your UFS Application Status
After submitting an application, UFS sends an acknowledgement letter containing the applicant’s student number.
Applicants can use their login details to check their application status through the UFS self-service platform. UFS also sends an email whenever the application status changes.
Applicants should keep their:
- Student number
- Application confirmation
- Login password
- Copies of uploaded documents
- Email correspondence from UFS
The university states that application results are not disclosed telephonically.
Common UFS Application Document Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Uploading blurry or cropped documents
- Submitting incomplete school results
- Leaving out a page of an academic transcript
- Uploading Grade 11 results without later submitting Grade 12 results
- Failing to include a certificate of conduct
- Uploading an unofficial screenshot instead of an academic record
- Forgetting a SAQA certificate for an international postgraduate application
- Submitting uncertified international documents
- Uploading files larger than 5 MB
- Missing an additional selection form
- Failing to complete every stage of the online application
- Waiting until the closing date to upload documents
Uploading documents does not automatically mean that the application has been submitted. Applicants must complete the agreement and final submission stages.
UFS Application Contact Details
Applicants who need help with undergraduate applications can use the following official channels:
Email: applications@ufs.ac.za
WhatsApp KovsieChat: 087 240 6370
Telephone: 051 401 3000
Postgraduate diploma and honours application enquiries:
Email: studentadmin@ufs.ac.za
Telephone: 051 401 9111, Option 1
Master’s and doctoral application enquiries:
Email: UFSPostgradAdmin@ufs.ac.za
These contact details appear on the university’s official 2027 application portal.
When requesting assistance, include your full name, student number and a clear explanation of the problem. Do not send your password.
Final UFS 2027 Document Checklist
Before submitting your University of the Free State application, make sure you have:
- A copy of your ID or passport
- Final Grade 11 or June Grade 12 results
- Final Grade 12 results if you have completed matric
- A school-leaving certificate where available
- An academic transcript for previous tertiary studies
- A certificate of conduct for transfer applications
- Copies of previous qualification certificates
- A SAQA evaluation for applicable international postgraduate qualifications
- Certified international documents
- A research proposal or other postgraduate documents where required
- Additional selection forms required by your chosen programme
Preparing these documents early can help you submit a complete UFS application and avoid delays during the 2027 admission process.