Get direct links to every SA university's or college's official application portal, a calculator that scores your matric marks the way each university actually does, and a way to check a private college is legally registered.
Direct, official links to every South African public university, plus well-known private institutions. Free, always.
See the directoryEvery university scores your matric marks differently. Pick yours and get an honest estimate, not a generic guess.
Calculate my scoreOfficial application portals for South Africa's public universities.
Links go to each university's own website. Application fees, closing dates and course availability are set by the institutions and change often, you should always confirm on the official page before paying anything.
These are among South Africa's better-known private higher education providers. Before you pay any application fee anywhere private, confirm the institution on the Verify a University tab below — private higher education has real, legitimate players and a lot of scams wearing the same "campus" language.
This is not an endorsement, it's a starting list of well-known schools. Registration status can change, and a well-known name is not proof of registration. Always check the DHET register yourself.
Pick a field, and see which South African universities offer it. This is a starting point, not a full course catalogue, always confirm the exact programme name and requirements on the university's own site.
There are 26 public universities in South Africa, and every one of them scores your matric marks differently — the same results can land you a 33 out of 42 at one, and a 430 out of 600 at another. Pick your university, enter your marks, and get that university's own version of your score.
Where I've verified a direct, current link, it goes straight to the PDF or prospectus page. For the rest, it goes to the university's admissions page so you can find it yourself. Prospectus links move around every intake, so this list needs a quick check each year.
Between the 26 public universities, which are legitimate by default, and roughly 145 registered private higher education institutions, that's the full, legal picture — anything calling itself a "university" or "college" outside those lists is operating illegally, and a qualification from one has no standing.
The Department of Higher Education and Training publishes the full, current list of every legally registered private institution — updated regularly. Search it (Ctrl+F) for the exact name on your acceptance letter before you pay anything.
Open the official DHET register (PDF)Registration alone isn't enough, the specific qualification also needs to sit on the National Qualifications Framework. If a college can't give you a SAQA ID for your exact course, that's a red flag on its own.
Search the SAQA qualifications databaseDHET investigates unregistered institutions directly. If a "college" can't produce a registration certificate, or its registration number doesn't match the official register, report it rather than paying.
Email DHET: PCComplaints1@dhet.gov.zaThis page links to official government and SAQA sources rather than listing institutions ourselves, registration status changes often, and the official register is always the accurate, current source. Always verify directly before enrolling or paying.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is the South African government's main funding scheme for students who can't afford university or TVET college on their own. If money is the thing standing between you and studying, this is where to start.
NSFAS funding is separate from applying to a university or TVET college, you need to do both. An NSFAS approval doesn't guarantee a study place, and a study place doesn't guarantee NSFAS funding.
Boitumelo Mollo: "My dad was the one who came up with the idea for this site. He's a professor, and he saw how many learners were struggling to figure out where to apply, how to calculate their APS, and whether a private college was legitimate. I built the site to make that information free and easy to access for every South African matriculant and any individual looking to study at a university or college."
Ask me anything about a course, a deadline, or which route makes sense for you.
Hey, I'm Boitumelo 👋 I built this site with my dad. Drop your name and a way to reach you, and I'll get back to you personally.
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