Guide to University Admissions in South Africa 2026: a full step-by-step roadmap (Part 2)

6. Deadlines and the 2026 timelineThe South African academic year starts in February (early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere — early spring in SA). Deadlines are significantly earlier than European ones:May–June 2025: take IELTS, apostille the diploma, translate into English, submit to SAQA.1 June 2025: undergraduate applications open at most top universities.30 June 2025: UCT deadline for international applicants in undergraduate medicine, law and engineering.31 July 2025: UCT deadline for undergraduate commerce, humanities, science.31 August 2025: deadline at Wits, Stellenbosch, UP for most undergraduate programmes.30 September 2025: deadline for postgraduate programmes at UCT, Wits.31 October 2025: deadline at UKZN, UJ, Rhodes, NWU.October–November 2025: results and offers announced.November 2025: confirm the place + pay the acceptance fee (R 5 000–10 000).November 2025 – January 2026: apply for the study permit at the SA Embassy in Kyiv (or via VFS Global Center in Warsaw or Berlin).1 February 2026: academic year starts (Orientation Week).15 February 2026: classes begin.First month after arrival: register with the Department of Home Affairs + open a bank account (FNB, Standard Bank Student Account).7. Study Permit and Post-Study Work VisaStudy Permit (Section 13 of the Immigration Act)Documents: Acceptance Letter, proof of tuition payment (min. 50% of the first year), financial proof (R 75 000+ in account), local health insurance (Discovery Health, Momentum) — min. R 60 000/year, accommodation booking, medical exam + chest X-ray, Ukrainian Police Clearance, passport valid 5+ years.Fee: R 425 (~$22) at the consulate or via VFS Global.Processing: 8–12 weeks. Submit no later than 60 days before classes start.Issued for the duration of studies (typically 3 years for undergraduate, renewed annually via the DHA).Right to work: up to 20 hours/week in term and full-time in holidays — without a separate permit.Health insurance must come from an SA-accredited provider — Ukrainian or European insurance is not accepted.Post-Study Work Visa (Critical Skills Visa)After completing a bachelors or higher — entitlement to a Critical Skills Work Visa for 12 months without an offer, or a General Work Visa for up to 3 years with an offer from $30 000+/year (R 570 000+).2025 Critical Skills List occupations: engineering of all kinds, IT, actuaries, doctors, vets, mining engineers, IT cybersecurity, AI/Machine Learning, Renewable Energy. Updated yearly at dha.gov.za.After 5 years of work — entitlement to Permanent Residence (PR); one year later, South African citizenship (with retention of the original).Exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ R 19 (May 2026), 1 EUR ≈ R 21. So a full bachelors at $9 000–18 000 in total — less than 1 year in an average UK university.Housing: a university residence costs R 5 000–10 000/month with utilities and internet included. A private flat shared with 2–3 st