2025/2026 University of Fort Hare Application Procedure
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO STUDY?
It is a good idea to have a career objective in mind, check the admission requirements of the various qualifications offered at the University of Fort Hare.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Submit your application form and all the necessary documentation including application fee before closing date.
APPLICATION FORMS
Application Form (Click here to download form)
Undergraduate Programmes @ R120 – Closing Date: 31st October 2025/2026
(No late applications will be accepted)
2. An SMS will be sent to you informing you of the status of your application
thereafter a letter of confirmation.
3. Current matriculants who qualify based on their Grade 12 mid-term performance, are provisionally admitted pending the submission of their final matric results and subject to availability of space.
4. Successful applicants will receive an admission letter, together with a registration guide, which reflects the registration dates and orientation programme. It is important to note that all applicants who wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) are required to write the National Benchmark test (NBT) before they are allowed to register for their 1st year at University.
Read more about this compulsory test on www.nbt.ac.za. In which school- leaving category do you fall?
National Senior Certificate (NSC)? The NSC is the new school-leaving qualification since 2009.
Pre-2008 matriculation certificate? This is the old school-leaving qualification before 2009.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES
• Minimum of level 4 in English 1st Additional Language or
• Minimum of level 3 in English Home Language.
• Minimum of Level 4 or better in four 20-credit subjects from the designated list, excluding Life Orientation.
|
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MATURE AGE APPLICANTS
Mature age applicants (turning 23 years during year of registration), who have met the requirements in bullets 1 – 3 above, qualify for admission to main stream programmes. They need to apply for conditional exemption from HESA.
Designated Subjects
|
Applicants who wish to enroll for a degree programme need to ensure that four of their seven subjects are from the designated list.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Senior Certificate (pre-2008)
A candidate is expected to possess a minimum level of proficiency in English language. A pass mark of at least E symbol on SG is considered to be sufficient. A pass mark of at least an F symbol on HG English 1st language is also considered to be sufficient.
A Matriculation Exemption or Further Education and Training Certificate.
A standard qualification to study for a degree is a Matriculation endorsement or equivalent.
|
|
How to calculate your minimum admission point score (APS)
NSC |
NSC% | PS | APS % |
7 | 80-89 | 8 | 90-99 |
6 | 79-79 | 7 | 80-89 |
5 | 60-69 | 6 | 79-79 |
4 | 50-59 | 5 | 60-69 |
3 | 40-49 | 4 | 50-59 |
2 | 30-39 | 3 | 40-49 |
10 | -290 | 2 | 30-39 |
0-29 |
ARE YOU A INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT WITH FOREIGN SCHOOL-LEAVING?
Undergraduate
All applicants with non-South African School-leaving require a certificate of exemption from the Matriculation Board of South Africa for admission into an undergraduate qualification. For more information regarding the Matriculation Exemptions please visit the Matriculation Board website on www.he-enrol.ac.za
The University of Fort Hare will also submit applications to the Matriculation Board on behalf of the applicant on submission of the following:
Form M30E (also available from the matriculation board website); Copies of educational qualification (certified at the University); Copy of Passport or birth certificate (certified at the University);
Exemption application fee charged at R400.00 (payable at the University); and
Sworn English translation of documents required where applicable.
Postgraduate
All applicants with non-South African qualifications are required to have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). For more information regarding evaluation of qualifications please visit the SAQA website: www.saqa.org.za
Student selection and admissions process
1. Students receive application forms from the Students Registration Office through the post/
contact.
2. These are completed and returned to the Students Registration Office and get sorted
per-Faculty.
3. Then the faculty selection committee (Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning, Faculty
Manager,
HODs and Administrators) convenes to do the selection.
4. Admission is done on merit, using the Swedish point system.
High scores are considered first in chronological order For interview programmes students are invited for presentations prior to selection *
The current matrics are provisionally accepted pending their matric final
results and availability for admission into programmes, plus NBT results
The application forms are checked and signed by the Faculty
Manager according to the admission status.
Once the forms are signed, they are given back to the Students Registration Office to capture the status which is then communicated to the students as backup.
The Faculty keeps records of the accepted students as backup. Wait listed students are considered after registration of
accepted students
Accepted students get notification from the Students
Registration Office.
ENQUIRIES
Alice Campus Tel.: 040 602 2016 / 2053/ 2122/ 2174/ 2281
East London Campus Tel.: 043 704 7155 / 7266 / 7004 / 7139
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:
Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
-
Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:
FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Alison:
Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:
Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
-
Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:
UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:
Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:
Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.
-
Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):
LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.
Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.