List of Wits University Courses with Space for 2026 (Late Applications Status)

Key Takeaways: Wits 2026 Status

• Main Degrees (MBChB, BSc, BCom, BA): CLOSED. Wits does not have a “Late Application” window for full-time degrees.
• Walk-Ins: NOT ALLOWED. Security will not let you onto campus to “look for space.”
• The Loophole: Wits Plus (Short Courses) is the only division still accepting students for the January/February intake.
• Current Activity: The university is currently in Registration Mode (for students accepted last year), not Application Mode.

It is January. You have your final Matric results. You realized you qualify for Wits, but you didn’t apply last year. Or perhaps you applied and are waiting for an offer.

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is one of the most exclusive institutions in Africa. For the 2026 academic year, they received approximately 80,000 applications for only 6,000 first-year spots.

Because of this massive oversubscription, Wits does not publish a “List of Available Courses” for late applicants in the same way the University of Zululand or TUT might. They usually have a waiting list of 10,000 qualified students ready to fill any gap that opens up.

However, if you are desperate to get the “Wits Edge” on your CV in 2026, there is one side door still open: Wits Plus.

Here is the breakdown of what is closed, what is open, and what to do if you are currently “Waitlisted.”

1. Full-Time Degrees (The Hard Truth)

Status: 100% CLOSED

If you are hoping to walk into the Great Hall today and register for Medicine, Engineering, Law, or Accounting, you will be turned away.

• Applications Closed: 30 September 2025.
• Late Enquiries: Wits does not entertain late enquiries for full degrees.
• “Space Available”: Even if a student drops out of Engineering, Wits goes to their pre-selected Waitlist. They do not open the spot to the general public.

My Application Status says “Pending / Waitlisted”:

If you applied last year and your status is still pending, you are still in the game.

• Wits is currently processing final Grade 12 results.
• Do not panic. Offers are sent out continuously throughout January until classes start (usually early February).
• Action: Check the Student Self-Service Portal every morning. Do not go to campus.

2. Wits Plus (The “Open” Door)

Status: OPEN (For specific Short Courses)

Wits Plus is the university’s centre for part-time and short course studies. While these are not full degrees (usually), they are certified by the university and are excellent for boosting your CV while you wait for 2027.

Registration for these courses often runs until late January or early February.

A. Business & Management (Short Courses)

• Project Management: A flagship Wits course. Highly respected.
• Business Management: Covers finance, HR, and strategy basics.
• Human Resource Management: 10-week certificate.
• Supply Chain Management: Critical skill for the logistics sector.
• Digital Marketing: Modern skills for the online economy.

B. Law (Short Courses)

• Paralegal Studies: Excellent bridging course if you want to test if Law is for you.
• Labour Dispute Resolution: For aspiring HR managers or union reps.
• Commercial Law: Basics of contracts.

C. Languages (Wits Language School)

These are often open for registration right now (Jan/Feb intake).

• South African Sign Language (SASL): Beginner to Advanced.
• French / Spanish / Mandarin: Beginner modules.
• English Improvement: For students who need to boost their academic English.

D. Part-Time Degrees (BA / BCom)

• Note: Wits Plus does offer part-time BA and BCom degrees for working professionals.
• Status: Applications for these usually close in December, but they sometimes accept late queries in early January if you meet strict criteria (age 23+, employed).
• Action: Email wits.plus@wits.ac.za immediately to check if any late slots exist for the BA for the World of Work.

3. The “Walk-In” Policy 2026

Wits has a strict No Walk-In policy.

• Physical Campus: You cannot enter the Braamfontein campuses (East or West) without an Access Card or a specific invitation SMS.
• The “Central and Applications Office” (CAO): Wits does not use the CAO (that is for KZN). You cannot apply via a central hub.
• The Enquiry Hub: There is a Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC) in the Solomon Mahlangu House, but in January, it is strictly for Assisted Registration of accepted students.

If you go to the gate:

Security will give you a flyer telling you to go online. You will waste your transport money.

4. What If I Have Excellent Results? (The “Dean’s Discretion”)

There is a very rare exception.

If you achieved extraordinary results (e.g., Six or Seven Distinctions) and you truly missed the deadline due to a crisis, you might try to contact the Faculty Registrar directly via email.

• Science: science.registrar@wits.ac.za
• Humanities: humanities.registrar@wits.ac.za
• Commerce: clm.registrar@wits.ac.za

What to write:

• Subject: Late Enquiry 2026 – Top Achiever (7 Distinctions)
• Attach your Statement of Results.
• Be humble. Ask if there are any cancellations.
• Success Rate: Very low (<5%), but worth a single email if your marks are elite.

5. Alternatives for Wits Hopefuls

If Wits is closed, do not sit at home. You need to register somewhere else to keep your brain active, then try to transfer to Wits in 2027.

Option A: UNISA (Open until Feb 20)

• Register for a BA or BSc at UNISA.
• Select modules that overlap with Wits (e.g., Psychology 1, Maths 1).
• Get high marks (70%+).
• Apply to Wits for 2027 and ask for “Credit Transfer.”

Option B: Wits Plus Short Course

• Do the Project Management course.
• It keeps you on the Wits campus (evening classes). You get a student card. You experience the environment.
• It shows the admissions team you are serious when you re-apply next year.

Option C: Upgrade Matric

• If you didn’t get in because of your Math/Science mark, Wits will never accept you until that mark improves.
• Don’t just wait. Enrol in a rewrite program.

Summary: Stop Looking for “Space”

Wits University is not a taxi; there is no “space in the back.” It is a booked flight. If you didn’t buy a ticket last year, you aren’t getting on the plane for a full degree.

Your Action Plan:

1. Check your status online (if you applied).
2. Apply for a Wits Plus Short Course (if you want the Wits brand on your CV now).
3. Register at UNISA (to start earning credits towards a transfer).
4. Set a reminder: Wits 2027 Applications open 01 March 2026. Be the first in line next time.

Disclaimer: University admissions policies are strict. Information is based on the standard Wits Enrolment Centre protocols for the 2026 academic year.