Open days & events in the Free State

there's more happening across the region than one city, and it's worth knowing what's on offer before you commit to a single open day.

The University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology (CUT), the province's dedicated University of Technology, both run open days most years, usually clustered between February and May — well ahead of the following year's application deadlines, which for many universities close around September. If you're weighing up a traditional degree against a more hands-on, technology-focused qualification, seeing both types of institution in the same season makes comparing them far easier.

TVET colleges in the province — Flavius Mareka, Goldfields, Maluti and Motheo — take a different approach. They tend to confirm open days only 1–3 weeks ahead, often through Facebook rather than a formal website, so following their pages directly is the most reliable way to catch one. These colleges are worth a serious look for learners drawn to practical, workplace-ready trades and vocational routes, and many are NSFAS-eligible for qualifying students.

Anyone considering nursing should check that a college is SANC-accredited before applying — the Free State School of Nursing is the relevant provincial option here. The province also has three DHET-registered private institutions running their own open days and info sessions throughout the year, often monthly rather than seasonally, which is useful if you missed the February–May university season.

Career-changing adults shouldn't overlook this province either. A workshop on CV writing, or a focused info session on one specific bursary or NSFAS application step, can be far more useful than a full campus open day if you already know roughly what field you want to move into. And if getting to Bloemfontein or Welkom for an in-person event isn't practical, a free webinar is often the easiest way to get the same questions about how to apply, fees and funding answered from home.

Whichever event you're aiming for, remember dates, venues and formats can shift, so always confirm details on the organiser's own page before you travel. Most events are free to attend, though some ask you to register beforehand. Browse the upcoming Free State events listed below to find one that suits where you are in your journey.