The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is setting a new standard in higher education with an innovative academic registration process to make it as user-friendly and seamless as possible for students entering the 2025 academic year. This is as the University continues to receive higher numbers of applications, as the demand for higher education qualifications grows nationally. For the 2025 academic year, more than 400,000 applicants have submitted more than 760,000 applications (study choices). This is an increase of almost 60,000 applicants (and nearly 125,000 study choices) from the previous year. Notably, the number of applications from Orange Carpet applicants (top achievers) has similarly grown to over 12,500 applications.
The record number of applications comes as UJ celebrates its 20th anniversary. The University was established in 2005, following the merger of the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and the Rand Afrikaans Universiteit (RAU), which at the time included two campuses of Vista University, one in Soweto and the other in Daveyton on the East Rand.
The 2025 registration process exemplifies the University’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance the student experience. In 2024, UJ became the first University in South Africa to pilot facial recognition technology for virtual registration, replacing traditional methods of identity verification. This cutting-edge system ensures a secure, efficient, and fraud-resistant registration for all students, and will be fully implemented for all our new students in 2025.
“The adoption of facial recognition technology represents a significant advancement in how we engage with prospective students,” says Professor Bettine van Vuuren, UJ’s Registrar. “This system not only streamlines the registration process but also ensures higher levels of security and accuracy, providing a seamless experience for applicants. During registration, students will receive an SMS to follow a personalised link for facial recognition verification, enabling instant verification of their identity. This process eliminates the need for all the cumbersome manual identity checks and mitigates the risk of identity fraud, which is a critical concern in higher education admissions and certification,” says Dr Tinus van Zyl, the Senior Director for Central Academic Administration.
UJ’s record-breaking application numbers for 2025 highlight its position as a leader in academic excellence and innovation. The University has capped its undergraduate first-year intake at 10,900 students, which aligns with the approved Department of Higher Education and Training’s enrolment plan.
UJ congratulates all matriculants who completed the 2024 academic year. “Passing matric is a significant milestone that opens the door to future opportunities and aspirations. We look forward to welcoming those accepted into our various study programmes for the 2025 academic year. Admission to UJ, as at other higher education institutions, is highly competitive due to the limited number of spaces available, and the University urges those successful applicants to secure their placement without delay to avoid missing out on this opportunity,” adds Prof Van Vuuren. The University is continuously communicating with applicants, and information is also shared on our various social media platforms. It is critically important that applicants remain up to date with these bits of information to ensure a smooth registration period.
The University wishes to remind applicants and their parents/guardians that, as with the previous years, the entire application, admission, and registration process for the 2025 academic year is online; UJ will not allow any ‘walk-ins’ for applications or registrations. Final Grade 12 results will be reviewed, and an official confirmation will be sent via SMS and email to applicants on 14 January, when the Grade 12 results are released at schools. Applicants should also check their application status on the UJ website (www.uj.ac.za).
While UJ prioritises the safety and security of its applicants, Prof van Vuuren also urged prospective students to be cautious of fraudulent individuals supposedly offering assistance with placements or registration. “In previous years, UJ has noted with concern the activities of certain individuals and agencies promising guaranteed admission and funding. The University does not collaborate with any third-party entities for the processing of applications”. Any attempt by a third party to offer a space in return for a fee should immediately be reported to campus security (011 559 2555), or to the UJ Whistleblowing Hotline (0800 872 846). Students should only use official UJ channels to avoid disappointment. “UJ has been a pioneer in digital transformation, introducing a virtual application, late inquiries, and registration system almost ten years ago and continuously enhancing it to meet the needs of digitally savvy applicants. The integration of an AI-powered Chatbot into WhatsApp for UJ has further revolutionised how students access information, providing instant responses to queries about admission statuses, study programmes, fees, accommodation, and more” says Dr van Zyl. Applicants and students could add the UJ WhatsApp number (087 240 6854) to their contacts to get personalised assistance from our Chatbot.
Prof van Vuuren highlights the importance of accessibility, stating that UJ’s digital-first approach ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can navigate the registration process with ease. “For those who prefer human interaction, our Call Centre has also been expanded to provide additional support”.
No Walk-Ins allowed
As in previous years, UJ does not accommodate physical ‘walk-ins’ on any of its campuses. The University will have an online late inquiry system available between Tuesday, 14 January at 20:00 to Sunday, 19 January at midnight. This system provides a final opportunity for students who achieved excellent matric results but missed the initial application deadline.
Prof van Vuuren concludes: “UJ remains one of the largest residential universities in South Africa. This milestone, coinciding with UJ’s 20th Anniversary, demonstrates our commitment that inclusivity and excellence are not mutually exclusive. Our vision is to prepare students not only for academic success but also for innovative leadership in a world shaped by modern technologies. By integrating advanced technologies into our systems, we equip our students with the tools they need to thrive.”
For more information about the 2025 registration process, visit www.uj.ac.za or contact the UJ Call Centre at 011 559 4555.
