Sol Plaatje University applications for the 2027 academic year are open, and prospective students should prepare all the required supporting documents before beginning the online application process.
Applicants who submit incomplete, incorrect or unreadable documents may experience delays because SPU cannot fully process an application without the necessary supporting information.
Undergraduate and postgraduate applications for 2027 are scheduled to close on 31 October 2026. Applications must be completed through the university’s online application system.
SPU Application Documents at a Glance
Depending on your applicant category, you may need:
- A certified copy of your South African identity document or passport
- Final Grade 11 results
- June or mid-year Grade 12 results
- Final National Senior Certificate results
- A matric certificate if you have already completed Grade 12
- An affidavit confirming your tertiary study history
- A complete academic transcript for previous tertiary studies
- A certificate of conduct from your previous institution
- Certificates for qualifications already completed
- A curriculum vitae for certain postgraduate programmes
- Programme-specific supporting documents
The SPU online application guide lists documents such as an ID, affidavit, matric certificate, academic transcript and qualifications obtained at another university among the files applicants may need to upload.
Documents Needed by Current Grade 12 Learners
Applicants who are currently completing Grade 12 should prepare:
- A certified copy of their South African ID or valid passport
- Final Grade 11 results
- June or mid-year Grade 12 results when available
- Any additional documents required for the selected programme
Applicants should ensure that their school results clearly display:
- Their full name
- The name of the school
- All subjects taken
- Marks or percentages
- The academic year or examination period
Earlier SPU application guidance required current Grade 12 learners to provide their June examination results together with their final Grade 11 results. Applicants should follow the document categories displayed on the 2027 online portal.
Applicants who initially apply with Grade 11 results may still be required to provide updated Grade 12 results when these become available.
Documents Needed If You Have Completed Matric
Applicants who have already completed Grade 12 should generally prepare:
- A certified copy of their ID or passport
- Their final National Senior Certificate results
- A certified copy of their matric certificate
- Upgraded results where applicable
- An affidavit about previous tertiary studies where requested
SPU has previously listed a certified National Senior Certificate and certified ID copy among the essential supporting documents for first-time entering students.
Ensure that all subjects and marks are visible. Do not upload only the first page if the certificate or results statement contains more than one page.
Documents Needed If You Upgraded Your Matric Results
Applicants who rewrote or upgraded one or more matric subjects should prepare:
- Their original matric results
- Their upgraded subject results
- A combined matric certificate if one has been issued
- A certified copy of their ID or passport
The university must be able to view your complete school-leaving record. Uploading only the upgraded subjects may leave SPU without proof of your remaining matric results.
Enter the updated marks exactly as they appear on your official documents.
Affidavit Required by SPU
SPU’s online application guidance lists an affidavit among the documents applicants may need to upload.
The affidavit should state whether you studied at a tertiary institution after completing matric and before the current application year.
Applicants who have never studied at another university or college may be required to confirm this in the affidavit.
A suitable affidavit should include:
- Your full name and surname
- Your ID or passport number
- A clear statement about whether you attended another tertiary institution
- The institution’s name and study period, if applicable
- Your signature
- The commissioner of oaths’ stamp and signature
The statement must be truthful. Do not claim that you have never studied elsewhere if you previously registered at another institution.
Documents Needed by Transfer Students
Applicants who previously studied at another university, university of technology, TVET college or private higher education institution should prepare:
- A certified copy of their ID or passport
- Final Grade 12 results
- An official academic transcript
- A certificate of conduct
- Certificates for qualifications already completed
- An affidavit confirming their previous tertiary studies
- Additional documents required for credit transfer
SPU states that applicants with previous tertiary studies must submit an official academic transcript, certificate of conduct, certified ID copy and final Grade 12 results.
The university’s general rules also require a student previously registered at another university to submit a certificate of good conduct and an academic transcript.
Your academic transcript should show:
- All modules attempted
- Marks obtained
- Credits earned
- Academic years attended
- The name of the institution
- Your academic standing
Admission to SPU does not automatically mean that every module completed elsewhere will be recognised. Credit transfer is considered separately by the relevant faculty.
What Is a Certificate of Conduct?
A certificate of conduct is an official document issued by your previous institution.
It normally confirms whether you:
- Were in good academic standing
- Complied with the institution’s rules
- Were involved in disciplinary proceedings
- Are eligible to continue or transfer your studies
A results statement or student portal screenshot is not necessarily the same as an official certificate of conduct.
Contact the student administration office at your previous institution if you need this document.
Documents Needed for Postgraduate Applications
Applicants seeking admission to an honours degree, postgraduate diploma, master’s degree or doctoral programme should generally prepare:
- A certified copy of their ID or passport
- An official academic transcript
- Certified copies of completed qualifications
- A curriculum vitae where required
- A research concept or proposal for certain research programmes
- Academic references where requested
- A motivation letter where requested
- Proof of relevant work experience for certain programmes
- Additional documents required by the faculty
SPU’s application guidance states that postgraduate applicants must provide an official academic transcript, a copy of the degree or diploma obtained from the previous institution and a certified ID copy.
Some Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences postgraduate programmes require:
- A certified ID or passport copy
- A curriculum vitae
- An endorsed academic record
- Certified copies of academic qualifications
Applications with outstanding supporting documents may be regarded as incomplete and may not be considered.
Applicants must check the specific requirements for their chosen postgraduate programme because the document list differs between faculties.
Documents Needed by International Applicants
International applicants should prepare:
- A certified copy of a valid passport
- Certified school-leaving results or certificates
- Complete academic transcripts for previous tertiary studies
- Certified copies of previous qualifications
- Proof of English-language proficiency where requested
- A qualification evaluation or exemption certificate where applicable
- Additional immigration documents required before registration
Applicants with certificates from an examination system outside South Africa are considered individually for admission.
International applicants should ensure that their names appear consistently on:
- Their passport
- School certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Qualification certificates
- Online application
Where a document is not in English, the applicant may be asked to provide an official translation.
Additional documents such as a valid study visa and medical cover may become necessary after admission and before registration.
English-Language Requirements
SPU’s general rules require applicants to demonstrate the necessary English-language proficiency.
Applicants who did not complete their previous studies in English may be asked to provide evidence from a recognised English-language test. The university’s rules mention IELTS and TOEFL as examples that may be considered.
This requirement may not apply to every international applicant. Follow the instructions issued by the university or the relevant faculty.
Must SPU Application Documents Be Certified?
SPU’s published application guidance refers to certified copies for important documents such as:
- Identity documents
- Passports
- Matric certificates
- Academic qualifications
To certify a document:
- Take the original document and a clear copy to a commissioner of oaths.
- Ask the commissioner to certify that the copy matches the original.
- Check that the certification stamp and date are visible.
- Ensure that the commissioner signs the copy.
- Scan or photograph the complete certified document.
Do not crop out the certification stamp, signature or document edges.
Applicants should use recently certified copies where the portal or faculty specifies a certification period.
Additional Documents for Certain Programmes
Some SPU programmes may require documents or assessments in addition to the general application checklist.
These may include:
- A curriculum vitae
- A portfolio
- A motivation letter
- A research proposal
- Proof of work experience
- A departmental selection form
- An interview
- Evidence of physical or professional suitability
SPU’s general rules allow programmes to impose additional admission requirements beyond the university’s minimum requirements. Certain qualifications may also require an applicant to demonstrate appropriate physical or mental fitness.
Read the programme information in the 2027 prospectus before applying.
How to Prepare Your Documents for Uploading
Before uploading a supporting document, check that:
- The entire page is visible
- The document is clear and readable
- No information has been cut off
- All required pages are included
- The file is correctly oriented
- The certification stamp is visible
- Your name and ID or passport number are correct
- The document is uploaded under the correct category
- The file is not password-protected
- The filename clearly identifies the document
Use simple filenames such as:
Certified_ID.pdfPassport.pdfGrade_11_Results.pdfJune_Grade_12_Results.pdfMatric_Certificate.pdfAcademic_Transcript.pdfCertificate_of_Conduct.pdfQualification_Certificate.pdfAffidavit.pdfCurriculum_Vitae.pdf
Avoid filenames such as scan1, picture, document-new or final-final-copy.
Why Your SPU Application Documents Matter
SPU warns that failing to submit required documents can delay the processing of an application because applications without supporting documentation cannot be processed.
An incomplete application may remain unresolved while complete applications are being assessed.
Applicants should therefore:
- Upload every requested document
- Respond quickly to requests for outstanding information
- Regularly check their application status
- Monitor their email and spam folder
- Keep copies of all submitted files
How to Apply to SPU for 2027
Applications must be completed through the official SPU online application system.
Follow these general steps:
- Visit the official SPU application page.
- Open the online application portal.
- Select the option for prospective students.
- Read and accept the online application rules.
- Enter your biographical information.
- Provide a valid email address and cellphone number.
- Capture your school-leaving subjects.
- Enter details of previous tertiary qualifications, where applicable.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Select your preferred programme.
- Review the information entered.
- Submit the application.
- Save your student or reference number.
- Check your academic admission status regularly.
The SPU guide explains that a reference number is created for new applicants and becomes the student number after their biographical information has been saved.
Applicants should preferably use a computer because SPU has warned that its online application system may not be compatible with all mobile phones.
Is There an SPU Application Fee for 2027?
SPU’s online application guidance states that no application fee is required for online applications.
Applicants should therefore be careful of people who claim that they must pay an unofficial fee to:
- Open an application profile
- Receive a student number
- Upload documents
- Obtain guaranteed admission
- Change an application result
Other university costs, such as registration, tuition and residence payments, are separate from the online application process.
SPU 2027 Application Closing Date
Undergraduate and postgraduate applications for the 2027 academic year are open until:
31 October 2026
This closing date is published on SPU’s official application page.
Applicants should submit their complete applications early rather than waiting until the final day.
Applying early provides more time to correct:
- Missing documents
- Incorrect personal information
- Subject-capture mistakes
- Login problems
- Unreadable uploads
- Incomplete academic records
How to Check Your SPU Application Status
Applicants can check their application status by logging back into the SPU online application system.
After logging in:
- Select Student Enquiry.
- Choose Academic Admissions Status.
- Review the status of your application.
These status-checking steps are included in SPU’s application FAQs.
Applicants should not create a second application simply because their first application is still being processed.
Common SPU Application Document Mistakes
Avoid the following mistakes:
- Uploading an uncertified document where certification is required
- Submitting blurry or cropped copies
- Leaving out Grade 11 results
- Uploading only one page of a matric certificate
- Failing to disclose previous tertiary studies
- Omitting an academic transcript
- Forgetting the certificate of conduct
- Uploading an unofficial screenshot instead of an official record
- Failing to include completed qualification certificates
- Submitting an affidavit with incorrect information
- Using a passport that has expired
- Uploading documents under the wrong categories
- Saving the application without submitting it
Review the entire application before completing the final submission.
SPU Application Contact Details
Applicants who experience difficulties can contact the SPU Admissions Office:
Applications email: applications@spu.ac.za
Telephone: 053 491 0116, 053 491 0109 or 053 491 0181
SPU also provides faculty-specific application assistance:
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: EMS_Applications@spu.ac.za
Faculty of Education: EDU_Applications@spu.ac.za
Faculty of Humanities: HUM_Applications@spu.ac.za
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences: NAS_Applications@spu.ac.za
These details are published on the university’s official 2027 application page.
When requesting assistance, include:
- Your full name and surname
- ID or passport number
- Student or application reference number
- Selected programme
- A clear explanation of the problem
Do not send your application password or banking PIN.
Final SPU 2027 Document Checklist
Before submitting your Sol Plaatje University application, make sure you have:
- A certified ID or passport copy
- Final Grade 11 results
- Grade 12 results where available
- A matric certificate if you completed Grade 12
- Original and upgraded matric results where applicable
- An affidavit confirming your tertiary study history
- An official academic transcript for previous tertiary studies
- A certificate of conduct
- Certificates for completed qualifications
- A curriculum vitae or research proposal where required
- Additional programme-specific documents
SPU applications for the 2027 academic year close on 31 October 2026. Prepare your documents early, upload clear copies and check your application status regularly after submitting.