NWU Registration | Easy Steps to Register to Study

Start your journey>>>Application>>>Admission>>>Registration

Further extension of the registration period

11 February 2026

Please be informed that the registration period for undergraduate students has been further extended until Friday, 20 February 2026. This is to accommodate all students who are still awaiting resolution of a variety of issues to ensure their registration status reflect as final. Registration for postgraduate students remains open until Tuesday, 31 March 2026. We urge (prospective) students to accept the final offers and finalise the applicable registration stages as a matter of urgency.
The extension will not apply to qualifications or programmes where targets have been met, in terms of the university’s enrolment plan as agreed with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Arrangements have been made with faculties to ensure that students who have registered late can be accommodated, as classes have already commenced on 9 February.

Welcome to North-West University (NWU)!

After you have accepted a final offer from NWU, use your login credentials to access the Student Portal and register. Registration will happen in phases, first the first-year students and thereafter NWU’s returning eagles can register per faculty. To ensure that you and your fellow NWU Eagles register as fast and efficiently as possible, please register within your allotted timeframe for a smooth process.

Summary of registration steps for first-year students

Summary of registration steps for returning students

Understanding registration holds

During the registration process, you might see a “registration hold” on your account. This indicates that specific administrative, financial, or academic requirements must be met before you can finalise your registration for the year.
This is what it means and what to do next.

Financial hold

This usually means your finances are not in order yet. Here's how to resolve it:

Pay your minimum fees and settle any debt from the 2025 academic year.
NSFAS students must wait for their funding to be approved.
Approved NSFAS students with outstanding debt must sign an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD*) - this allows you to register while acknowledging outstanding debt.
Any other bursary/loan award letters must be uploaded via the Student Portal under My Documents / Document centre
Once resolved, your financial hold will be lifted, and you can register online.

*For the AOD:
Take note that the balance reflected on the AOD represents the outstanding balance as at 31 December 2025. This balance relates to debt carried over from the previous academic year.

Please note that the AOD will ONLY be used in cases where accounts are handed over for further debt collection. In such instances, the amount handed over will be the actual balance on the student's account as at the date of handover, and NOT the balance reflected on the signed AOD. Accounts where the outstanding debt is because of late payments from NSFAS, will not be handed over for debt collection.

Transfer Enrolment Hold

If you have been accepted for a new or updated version of your programme, this needs to be processed before you can register.
You do not have to do anything. NWU staff will make the change on your record and notify you once it has been done, and then you can register. If you also have a financial hold, that must be resolved separately before you can register.

International Hold

International students may need to submit extra documents. Please contact the Global Engagement Office and ensure your visa and study documents are up to date. Once received, your hold will be removed.

Studies Terminated

If your studies were terminated due to academic progress rules, you won't be able to register unless you appeal successfully through your faculty.
Reach out directly to your faculty advisor or academic administration office for guidance on the next steps.

Student Records Hold

This relates to documents like USAf exemptions, Grade R, or higher degrees approvals.

What to do: Submit a request through the Student Helpdesk on the Student Portal. Select “Student Records” and choose the relevant subcategory.

Important dates

The registration period for undergraduate students has been further extended until Friday, 20 February 2026. This is to accommodate all students who are still awaiting resolution of a variety of issues to ensure their registration status reflect as final.
Honours, Master’s, and PhD students will have until Tuesday, 31 March 2026, in line with the official dates published on the NWU website.
Amendment period dates: Based on the current system configurations, students will be able to register for and deregister from courses until 20 February 2026.