Stellenbosch University celebrated its centenary in 2018, having been established in 1918. Its main campus is in Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a range of faculties; consult current programme requirements and student-outcome reports when comparing study options.
Alongside its academic programmes, Stellenbosch offers residences, student organisations, sport and student-support services. Admission, accommodation and participation in particular activities are subject to their own requirements and availability.
Student organisations, sporting activities and residence communities offer opportunities to participate beyond lectures. Check the university’s current student-life pages for active programmes and contacts. Stellenbosch is approximately 50 km from Cape Town, with historic and modern buildings across its main campus.
At Stellenbosch University, prospective students can apply to programs within the following faculties:
- AgriSciences
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Military Science
- Science
- Theology
With such a wide variety of programs and disciplines, there is something for every student! Prospective Stellenbosch students have a lot to choose from, and it is definite that applying to and attending this institution will enrich your life.
In order to experience all Stellenbosch University has to offer, read ahead and learn how to apply.
How to apply to Stellenbosch University
The application is designed to be easy to navigate. However, there are certain things to remember and dates to be mindful of. When applying, make sure you have researched the programs you may be interested in. As this is a top-rated university, accepting certain programs is competitive. As such, you are asked to choose three programs you may want to enrol in.
What this means is, if you are not accepted to your first choice of program, you still have a chance to be accepted to your second or third choice – think of it as a safety blanket. All of their programs deliver quality education and wonderful opportunities, so it is with confidence that they expect you will find three programs that you are interested in. Further, different faculties at Stellenbosch University have different requirements, so these must be read up on as well to ensure there are no issues with your application process or the acceptance of your application. The specific requirements of the faculties can be found on their respective pages.
After reading up on the programs and specific faculty requirements, you should follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process:
For application assistance…
- SU’s published application process is online. If internet access or another difficulty prevents you from applying, contact Client Services at info@sun.ac.za or 021 808 9111 for assistance and an approved arrangement before using a paper form.
- Complete all required fields accurately and upload the documents through the Applicant Portal. Send documents by another route only when Client Services specifically instructs you to do so.
The following is a university street address, not a general instruction to post an application. Confirm any physical delivery arrangement with Client Services first: Stellenbosch University
c/o Banhoek Road & Joubert Street
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
Online Applications…
- Undergraduate and postgraduate applicants use the official online application process, but their required documents, selection steps and closing dates may differ.
- You must complete the online application form. Undergraduate applications and student-housing applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 and closed on 31 July 2026
- Create an application profile using an email address you can access. Use your Applicant Portal username and password to continue; follow the account-activation instructions sent by SU.
- Once the online application form is completed, you will be asked to submit it alongside the required documents.
Submit your application and outstanding documents using the official online process. Avoid duplicate profiles or separate paper submissions unless SU asks for them.
Furthermore, if you plan to live in a residence, it is best to submit this application as soon as possible, as there is limited space. Application forms can be found on their website.
In the next section, you will learn about the new Admissions Policy and what prospective Stellenbosch students are required to complete in order to apply.
Stellenbosch University Requirements:
All prospective students of Stellenbosch University must meet these requirements as per their new Admissions Policy:
- Stellenbosch’s current admissions FAQ says the National Benchmark Tests are required for Law applicants and School of Tomorrow students; check your programme’s exact test and deadline requirements. This test measures how academically prepared students are for university. There are different dates available to be booked, meaning you can choose when you will write the test – however, ensure this is done before the application deadlines, so you receive your results in time, as these need to be submitted alongside your application.
- For South African students, a National Senior Certificate is required. This must be certified by Umalusi with the specific requirements for admission to a Bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants with international school-leaving qualifications must meet the programme’s requirements and the appropriate Universities South Africa matriculation-exemption rules. International citizenship does not mean that only Cambridge or IB qualifications are accepted.
- Prospective students are also required to have a certified copy of their ID Document (South African students) or a copy of their passport (International students) when applying.
Upload clear, legible documents in the formats and sizes accepted by the current Applicant Portal. Processing depends on a complete application, verification and faculty selection; there is no guaranteed 10-day admission decision.
In order to learn more about the application submission dates, continue reading ahead.
Stellenbosch University Application dates
Please note that application dates can vary according to the faculty and program being applied to. If applicable, you can check the individual faculty pages for these dates.
However, when applying, be sure to keep these general dates in mind:
- 1 April 2026: Undergraduate and student-housing applications for 2027 opened. Postgraduate programmes follow their own application schedules.
- 1 October 2026: Prospective undergraduate applications for 2027 SU Funding Opportunities (SUFO) opened; current undergraduate students had a separate 1 July–30 September 2026 window.
- 31 July 2026: Undergraduate applications for 2027 closed.
- 31 July 2026: Student-housing applications for 2027 closed.
- 30 November 2026: Prospective undergraduate applications for 2027 SU Funding Opportunities close. Funding is limited and an application does not guarantee an award.
In order for your application process to go smoothly, ensure that the required documents and applications are submitted as soon as possible.
To learn about the documents that are required for registration, keep reading.
Also Read: Stellenbosch University Prospectus and Application Status
Stellenbosch University Registration
Moving onto the application itself, as mentioned above, there are certain documents that prospective students will be asked to submit alongside their application form when applying to Stellenbosch University. These are as follows:
- Your signed contract
- Proof of payment where required: the 2027 fee is R100 for South African citizens and the specified domestic-status categories, and R400 for other international applicants. Current SU students and qualifying school/programme categories may be exempt. Follow the fee displayed and the official payment guide.
- Your required academic results and, only where applicable, NBT results. If you are in your final school year, follow the portal’s instructions for provisional results and submit final results when available.
- A student accommodations form
- Depending on the faculty, you will also be asked to submit the required documents – these are typically non-academic, but academic documents may also be asked for. Again, refer to the individual pages of the respective faculties to learn what these documents might be
Upload the required documents and track your application through the Applicant Portal linked from SU’s official undergraduate application pages. Use your application-profile credentials and respond to requests for outstanding information.
If all of this is followed carefully, your application will be successfully considered. However, it is important to note that Stellenbosch University is a top-rated university, so competitive admissions are to be expected. You may select a maximum of three programmes; you are not required to apply to at least three.
If your application is considered successful, you will be contacted regarding the admission and next steps.
Stellenbosch offers a range of academic programmes and student-life opportunities. Check the current prospectus, selection criteria and support services to decide whether its study options suit your plans.
Good luck with your applications!
