The University of Johannesburg (UJ) continues to cement its position as one of Africa’s most innovative and in-demand universities, again recording high application numbers for the 2026 academic year. This growth is accelerating UJ’s transition towards a fully digital, future-focused learning ecosystem.
Applications for the 2026 academic year closed at the end of October 2025, with more than 450,000 applicants submitting 870,000 study choices, reflecting sustained confidence in UJ as a world-class institution recognised for academic excellence, graduate employability, and a forward-looking approach to teaching and learning.
The University continues to attract South Africa’s top-performing learners, against an undergraduate first-year intake of 11,200 students in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) approved enrolment plan. This capacity constraint highlights the highly competitive nature of university admissions in South Africa and the reality that not all qualifying applicants can be accommodated in traditional programmes. Final selections will be completed this week (13 January 2026) following the release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results to universities on the 12th of January.
Says Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UJ: “UJ continues to be a leading choice for aspirant and ambitious students seeking to fulfil their dreams of a better future and to make a meaningful impact on society, locally, across the continent, and globally. While demand continues to grow, our responsibility is to manage access fairly, securely, and efficiently within the constraints of the national higher education system.”
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Recognising the growing pressure on physical contact spaces, UJ has responded through purposeful digital innovation, deliberately expanding alternative access pathways to higher education. In 2025, the University officially launched UJ Digital, a comprehensive online learning platform designed to extend learning opportunities beyond the limits of physical campus-based study. The platform offers more than 80 Short Learning Programmes, including 12 free courses, as well as 17 fully online qualifications in high-demand fields such as business, information technology, engineering, health, and law; these numbers are set to grow in 2026. Through innovative, flexible, and self-paced learning, UJ Digital enables students and working professionals to upskill, reskill, and pursue accredited qualifications and short learning programmes aligned to critical skills needs across South Africa, and globally. To date, UJ Digital has enrolled more than 20,000 learners, many of whom require flexible study options that accommodate work and personal commitments, while directly addressing skills shortages identified in national and continental economic frameworks.
“UJ Digital is a critical pillar of the University’s Strategic Plan 2035, reflecting our commitment to digital innovation, inclusive education and innovation-driven development. It expands access to learning while creating multiple pathways for student success, and positions UJ to lead Africa’s digital knowledge economy,” says Prof Mpedi.
UJ’s Registrar, Professor Bettine van Vuuren, added: “In 2026, UJ will continue using its facial recognition registration system for all new students, building on its milestone in 2023 as the first university in South Africa to implement AI-driven identity verification at scale.”
Each applicant will receive a personalised link for facial recognition verification, enabling instant confirmation of identity. This process replaces manual checks, significantly reduces the risk of fraud, and shortens registration turnaround times.
Says Professor Bettine van Vuuren, UJ Registrar: “This technology marks a major shift in how we engage with students. It strengthens the integrity of our systems while making the registration experience more seamless and user-friendly.”
Prof van Vuuren emphasised that UJ pioneered fully online applications, late inquiries, and registration nearly a decade ago and continues to refine these systems to meet the evolving expectations of applicants. She added that the University has integrated an AI-powered WhatsApp Chatbot, providing instant responses on application status, fees, accommodation, and study options. Applicants can add the UJ WhatsApp number, 087 240 6854, to receive personalised assistance. For those requiring direct support, UJ has expanded its Call Centre capacity during peak registration periods.
She urged applicants who are accepted into a programme act swiftly once notified, as available spaces fill up rapidly and delays may result in missed opportunities to secure a place at the University. In support of this, the University has expanded its agreements with banks and financial service providers to ensure that registration fees reflect immediately, allowing students to register immediately after making payment.
As in previous years, UJ will not accommodate walk-ins at any campus. An online late-enquiry system (Mobi) will open on the evening of 13 January 2026 for applicants with good final results who missed the initial application deadline.
While prioritising the safety and security of applicants, Prof van Vuuren urged prospective students to remain vigilant against fraudulent individuals or agencies claiming to help with applications, admissions, or registration. She cautioned that UJ does not work with any third-party entities in the processing of applications, and that promises of guaranteed admission or funding in exchange for a fee are fraudulent. Such incidents should be reported immediately to campus security (011 559 2555) or the UJ Whistleblowing Hotline (0800 872 846).
