Open Days in the Western Cape
Open days in the Western Cape are your best chance to walk a campus before you commit years of study and money to it. Two dates are already confirmed for 2027: University of Cape Town holds its open day on 10 April 2027, and Stellenbosch University follows on 17 April 2027. Both fall inside the usual February to May window
that most public university open days across South Africa follow, well before application deadlines close later in the year.
An open day is where you get real answers, not a brochure summary — ask lecturers about APS score cut-offs, matric subject requirements, residence availability, and how NSFAS funding actually gets paid out once you're registered. At a university like UWC or CPUT, staff on the day can also tell you which faculties are oversubscribed, which matters more than the prospectus lets on when you're weighing your chances of getting a place.
TVET colleges in this province — including Boland, College of Cape Town, False Bay, Northlink, South Cape and West Coast — run open days too, but don't expect months of notice. They typically confirm a date only one to three weeks ahead, usually on Facebook rather than on a formal website, so it's worth following a college's page directly if you're serious about a trade or technical qualification. Private colleges with a presence in the Western Cape, and national online schools, tend to run open days and taster sessions on a rolling basis throughout the year instead of one big seasonal push.
Before you go, check that any private institution is DHET registered, and if nursing is the goal, confirm the college is SANC-accredited. Dates and venues do shift, so always confirm directly with the institution's official page before you plan a trip — and remember that while most open days are free to attend, a few ask you to register a headcount beforehand.
Browse the upcoming open days in the Western Cape listed below.
13 upcoming events match these filters
October 2026 10 events
National Campus Open Day
South African College of Applied Psychology— opens in a new tab · 10:00–13:00
SACAP opens its physical campuses so prospective students can look at its applied psychology, management and social work qualifications and speak to staff.
The Animation School Open Day @ Cape Town Campus
The Animation School— opens in a new tab · Starts @ 11:00 · 42 Searle Street
An on-campus session on The Animation School's Diploma in Digital Animation, the local animation industry, student work and how to apply.
Spend a Day in the Life of an AFDA Student
AFDA— opens in a new tab · 09:00–16:00
Grade 12 learners who have already applied or registered for 2027 sit in on real AFDA classes for a full day.
Spend a Day in the Life of an AFDA Student
AFDA— opens in a new tab · 09:00–16:00
Grade 12 learners who have already applied or registered for 2027 sit in on real AFDA classes for a full day.
CTU Future Finder Day for Grade 11s
CTU Training Solutions— opens in a new tab · 08:00–15:00
A free hands-on day at the Cape Town, Durban, Roodepoort, Stellenbosch, Vereeniging and Pretoria campus for Grade 11 learners and a parent, built around working out what to study next.
STADIO Open Day
STADIO Higher Education— opens in a new tab · 09:00–13:00
STADIO opens its contact and distance-learning campuses nationwide, with free career consultations alongside the campus tours.
SAE Open Day
SAE Institute South Africa— opens in a new tab · Starts @ 09:30
A campus tour and programme briefing on SAE's animation, games, audio and film qualifications, with lecturers on hand for questions.
International Hotel School Open Day
International Hotel School— opens in a new tab · Starts @ 10:00
A campus open day with a course presentation plus a cocktail and cookery demonstration, at which visitors may also enrol on the day.
AFDA Open Day
AFDA— opens in a new tab · 10:00–13:00
AFDA's national open day across five campuses, covering its programmes, the new Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design from 2027, and bursary and study-loan options.
The Animation Virtual Open Day
The Animation School— opens in a new tab · Starts @ 11:00 · Online
The online version of The Animation School's open day, covering the Diploma in Digital Animation, the industry and the application process.
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Open days, information sessions and application workshops, in front of learners already looking.