Funding
NSFAS & Bursaries: Funding Your Studies
How NSFAS funding works alongside a free application, plus other bursaries worth applying for before your first semester.
Read more →2027 Intake · Free to Apply · No Late Applications
Apply to Central University of Technology — Thinking Beyond starts here.
CUT is South Africa's practical, industry-driven university of technology, with campuses in Bloemfontein and Welkom. Applying is completely free — here's exactly what you need, and by when.
2Campuses
R0Application Fee
30 Sep2026 Closing Date
About the university
South Africa's home for hands-on, industry-ready degrees
Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is a public university of technology headquartered in Bloemfontein, with a second campus in Welkom in the heart of the Free State goldfields. Established in 1981 as Technikon Free State, CUT was promoted to full university-of-technology status and today teaches around 20,000 students across STEM, health sciences, business and the humanities.
CUT's whole model is built around applied, workplace-ready learning — labs like the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing put students on real industry equipment rather than theory alone, and qualifications are developed alongside industry partners.
Good to know
CUT has a strict zero-tolerance policy on late and walk-in applications — everything is submitted through the official online portal, and your residence application lives inside the same form as your academic application.
Plan your route
2027 key application dates
CUT's deadlines are firm — there are no extensions and no walk-in applications, so treat the earliest relevant date as your real deadline.
1 APRIL 2026
Applications open
The CUT online application portal opens for the 2027 academic year.
31 AUGUST 2026
Competitive programmes close
Design, Studio Art and select Engineering & Health Sciences programmes recommend applying by this date.
30 SEPTEMBER 2026
General closing date
Final date for most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and student residence.
30 MARCH 2027
Research degrees close
Final date for Research Master's and Doctoral applications.
Online only
How to apply to CUT
CUT does not accept printed or walk-in applications — every step happens through the iEnabler online system.
01
Before you start
- Check your programme's minimum Admission Points Score (AP 27 minimum, higher for competitive programmes).
- Gather certified copies of your ID, Grade 11 results or latest Grade 12 results.
- Have your email and cellphone number ready — CUT communicates by email and SMS only.
02
Submit online
- Go to the official CUT online application system on cut.ac.za.
- Register, complete your personal, academic and programme details.
- Upload your supporting documents and, if needed, apply for residence in the same form.
- Submit and keep your reference number to track your status from 14 January 2027.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Grade 11 final results, or latest Grade 12 results if you're a current matriculant
- National Senior Certificate, for applicants who have already matriculated
- Certified qualification and academic record, for applicants with a higher qualification than matric
- Universities South Africa exemption certificate, for certain international undergraduate applicants
Costs
Application fees
South African applicantsNo fee
International applicantsNo fee
General closing date30 Sep 2026
⚠️ CUT has repeatedly warned that it does not authorise any agent or consultant to charge a fee for submitting or securing an application. Only use the official cut.ac.za portal.
Where you could study
Faculties at a glance
Faculty
Engineering & Information Technology
Civil, mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering alongside IT and software programmes, with access to CUT's rapid-prototyping labs.
Faculty
Health & Environmental Sciences
Nursing, biomedical technology, environmental health and clinical technology programmes with practical placements.
Faculty
Management Sciences
Accounting, marketing, human resources and entrepreneurship programmes geared to the Free State economy.
Faculty
Humanities
Education, language practice and social science programmes preparing graduates for teaching and public service.
Faculty
CUT Hotel School
One of South Africa's leading hospitality management programmes, training students for the tourism and events industry.
Postgraduate
Research Masters & Doctorates
Structured and research-based postgraduate study across all faculties, closing separately on 30 March 2027.
Keep reading
More guides for your application journey
A few extra resources worth going through before and after you apply.
Careers
CV & Cover Letter Tips for First-Time Job Seekers
A practical guide to building a CV and cover letter that gets noticed once you graduate or apply for part-time work.
Read more →Study material
Grade 12 Study Guides & Past Exam Papers
Free past papers and study notes to help you push your APS score up before your final results are released.
Read more →Student life
Finding Student Accommodation in Bloemfontein
What to know about CUT residence applications, plus how to vet private accredited accommodation nearby.
Read more →Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do CUT 2027 applications open and close?
Applications opened on 1 April 2026. Most programmes close 30 September 2026, competitive programmes (Design, Studio Art, select Engineering and Health Sciences) close 31 August 2026, and Research Masters or Doctoral applications close 30 March 2027.
Is there an application fee?
No — applying to CUT is completely free for both South African and international applicants. No consultant or agent is authorised to charge you for it.
Does CUT accept late or walk-in applications?
No. CUT enforces a strict no-late, no-walk-in policy, so apply well ahead of your programme's closing date.
What APS score do I need?
CUT publishes a minimum Admission Points Score of 27 — a floor, not a guarantee. Competitive programmes often require higher.
How do I apply for residence?
Residence applications are built into the same online academic application — there's no separate housing form to submit.
Free to apply. Firm on deadlines.
Get your documents ready and submit your Central University of Technology application before 30 September 2026.
Apply to CUT Now →