South African universities are facing unprecedented pressure as applications for the 2026 academic year surge far beyond the available spaces, highlighting the growing demand for access to higher education across the country.
North-West University (NWU) is among the institutions grappling with the overwhelming response. The university has confirmed that it received more than 420,000 applications across its eight faculties and three campuses in Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and the Vaal Triangle for the 2026 academic year—numbers that vastly exceed its admission capacity.
In a statement, NWU said it will only be able to admit 11,800 first-year students, including both contact and distance-learning candidates, in line with enrolment targets approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
NWU Communications Manager Oscar Mosiane acknowledged the challenge posed by the demand, noting that many qualified applicants will unfortunately not be accommodated.
“Regrettably, due to limited capacity, the university is unable to accept all applications, including those from candidates whose Admission Points Score (APS) meets the minimum requirements for their chosen programmes,” Mosiane said.
The university indicated that first-year applicants who have received conditional admission offers will be notified of the final status of their applications shortly after the release of the 2025 matric results, expected on Tuesday.
To manage the admissions process efficiently and avoid congestion on campuses, NWU has prohibited walk-in admissions and enquiries for the 2026 academic year. All application-related processes will be handled exclusively through official online and remote platforms.
“Applicants are advised not to visit campuses in person,” Mosiane said. “Those who missed the 2025 application window will unfortunately have to wait for the 2027 intake.”
Prospective students have been urged to regularly check their application outcomes online and to rely only on official communication channels for updates.
The university has also issued a warning against fraud and scams targeting desperate applicants. NWU emphasised that it does not charge any fees for applications or admission offers, and that payment is required only at the registration stage.
“Applicants should be cautious of anyone claiming they can secure placement at the university in exchange for payment,” the institution said. “All applications and registrations are processed exclusively by the official NWU Admissions Office.”
The surge in applications at NWU mirrors a broader national trend, with universities across South Africa reporting record demand amid limited infrastructure and funding constraints. Education experts have warned that without expanded capacity and investment, thousands of qualifying learners may be left without access to tertiary education in the coming years.
