Key Facts
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- Applications Closed
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
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Eligibility Requirements
- In Grade 12
- Applied to study at UFS in 2027 before your programme's application closing date
- Attending a Quintile 1, 2, or 3 school (Dinaledi, township, or rural) in the Motheo, Xhariep, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana, or Fezile Dabi district
- Entry form completed in full, with principal's signature and school stamp
- Certified copies of final Grade 11, Grade 12 March, and Grade 12 June results attached
- Top 20 finalists must achieve a minimum APS of 35 in final Grade 12 results
Documents Needed
- Completed entry form, signed and stamped by your principal
- Certified copy of your final Grade 11 results
- Certified copy of your Grade 12 March results
- Certified copy of your Grade 12 June results
- 500-word motivation, handwritten or typed
- Supporting certificates or proof for leadership and community involvement achievements
About UFS Star of Stars Competition
The University of the Free State (UFS) runs the Star of Stars Competition specifically for top-achieving Grade 12 learners from Quintile 1, 2, and 3 schools across the Free State's five districts - Motheo, Xhariep, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana, and Fezile Dabi. Unlike UFS's broader Matriculant of the Year Competition, Star of Stars is deliberately narrowed to township, rural, and Dinaledi schools, aiming to recognise excellence from communities that often have fewer pathways into university.
Entries are judged across academic performance, leadership, and community involvement, and every one of the 10 finalists is treated as a winner - there's no runner-up category, just a shared induction into the Star of Stars cohort.
Funding Details
The Top 10 winners get an all-expenses-paid weekend at a private game reserve for their Star of Stars induction, plus prize money, a residence deposit, and ongoing mentorship through their university journey. Personal development support and academic advice are available to all 10 finalists, not just the eventual winners, and prizes for the wider Top 20 finalists are delivered to their schools.
Where You Can Study
This competition is exclusively for learners who have applied to study at UFS in 2027. Because different UFS programmes have different application closing dates, you need to have applied before your programme's specific deadline in order to still qualify to enter Star of Stars.
About University of the Free State
The University of the Free State (UFS) is a public university based in Bloemfontein, with additional campuses in Qwaqwa and on its South Campus. As one of South Africa's older universities, UFS offers a broad range of un…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You need to be in Grade 12 and to have already applied to study at UFS in 2027 before you enter - the competition is only open to learners at Quintile 1, 2, or 3 schools in the Free State. Any Grade 12 achiever can enter themselves; your school doesn't need to submit the entry on your behalf, though your principal's signature and school stamp are required.
The Top 20 finalists, announced at the end of September 2026, must then achieve a minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 35 in their final Grade 12 results to stay in contention for the Top 10.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the Star of Stars Competition?
Grade 12 learners at Quintile 1, 2, or 3 schools in the Free State's Motheo, Xhariep, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana, or Fezile Dabi districts, who have already applied to study at UFS in 2027.
Do I need my school to enter me?
No - any Grade 12 achiever can enter themselves; it isn't a requirement that your school submits the entry.
Are all finalists winners?
Yes - all 10 finalists are considered winners and inducted into the Star of Stars cohort, with no runner-up category.
What do the Top 10 winners receive?
An all-expenses-paid weekend at a private game reserve, prize money, a residence deposit, and ongoing mentorship through university.
What happens after the Top 20 are announced?
They must achieve a minimum APS of 35 in their final Grade 12 results to stay in contention for the Top 10, announced after results are released in January 2027.
What must Top 10 winners do after enrolling?
Attend the Star of Stars induction camp after enrolling at UFS in 2027, and sign an agreement committing to studying there.
How do I submit my entry?
By post to Student Recruitment Services in Bloemfontein, or hand-delivered to the Wekkie Saayman Building on UFS Campus - then confirm it arrived by phone or email, since registered post isn't accepted.
When do entries open and close?
Entries open 1 April 2026 and close 31 August 2026, with no late applications considered.
