Applications for admission to participating universities and colleges for the 2027 academic year are open through South Africa’s Central Applications Office.
The CAO allows applicants to submit one application containing up to six programme choices at participating institutions, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal.
There is no single closing date for every course. Each programme has its own deadline, and some competitive health-science and education programmes close earlier than others.
Applicants should check the closing date attached to every programme choice before paying and submitting.
Official CAO application portal: https://www.cao.ac.za/
Quick Answer
Application status: Open
Entry year: 2027
Applications opened: 1 March 2026
Application method: Online through CAO
EDUCATION
CAO Applications 2027: Deadlines and Fees
Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
21 min read
Published
Updated:
Applications for admission to participating universities and colleges for the 2027 academic year are open through South Africa’s Central Applications Office.
The CAO allows applicants to submit one application containing up to six programme choices at participating institutions, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal.
There is no single closing date for every course. Each programme has its own deadline, and some competitive health-science and education programmes close earlier than others.
Applicants should check the closing date attached to every programme choice before paying and submitting.
Official CAO application portal: https://www.cao.ac.za/
Quick Answer
Application status: Open
Entry year: 2027
Applications opened: 1 March 2026
Application method: Online through CAO
Maximum programme choices: Six
Deadlines: Programme-specific
On-time fee for South African applicants: R250
On-time fee for international applicants: R300
Change of Mind fee: R140 per submission
Late fee from 1 November: R470 for South African applicants and R580 for international applicants
Status-check service: My Application
CAO call centre: 031 268 4444
International contact: +27 31 268 4444
Why Applicants Should Apply Now
Many CAO programmes remain open, but some high-demand courses have August or September deadlines.
For example:
DUT Bachelor of Health Science in Diagnostic Radiography: 31 August 2026
DUT Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science: 30 September 2026
Applications and the full administration fee received by the published programme deadline are treated as on time and receive priority consideration.
An application received after a programme deadline may be marked as late. It will generally be considered only after on-time applications and only when the institution still has available space.
Some programmes do not accept late applications at all.
What Is the CAO?
The Central Applications Office processes applications for certificate, diploma and degree programmes offered by participating institutions.
It acts as a central application platform, but it does not decide who is admitted.
The institutions themselves make the final selection and admission decisions.
Submitting a CAO application therefore does not guarantee:
Admission
Funding
Student accommodation
Acceptance into every selected programme
Consideration after a programme has closed
Applicants must meet the institution’s admission requirements and programme-specific selection criteria.
Which Institutions Use CAO?
The CAO processes applications for major public institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, including:
Durban University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Zululand
The programme list also includes participating private institutions and colleges, such as:
AAA School of Advertising
Berea College of Technology
Berea Technical College
Central Technical College
Eduvos
iStudent
MANCOSA
Pax College
Regent Business School
Richfield
Stadio
Participation may differ by programme, campus and entry term.
Applicants should use the official programme-search tool to confirm whether the intended qualification is processed through CAO:
https://www.cao.ac.za/AvailableProgrammes.aspx
Important 2027 Closing Dates
CAO does not use one universal deadline for every programme.
Each course has an advertised closing date. Early deadlines are common for programmes involving:
Interviews
Selection tests
Portfolios
Medical screening
Limited clinical placements
High application demand
Examples confirmed in the 2027 programme information include:
Institution and programme | Programme code | Closing date |
DUT Bachelor of Health Science: Diagnostic Radiography | DU-D-RAD | 31 August 2026 |
DUT Bachelor of Health Sciences: Medical Laboratory Science | DU-D-BLS | 30 September 2026 |
DUT Diploma in Ecotourism | DU-P-ET3 | 30 September 2026 |
These are examples only. Applicants must check the deadline for each selected programme on the live CAO programme list.
What Happens After a Programme Deadline?
An application submitted after a course’s advertised deadline is normally labelled:
Late Application
Application Late
Programme Closed
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The exact status depends on the programme and institution.
A late application may be considered only after all on-time applications have been processed.
A programme marked No Late Applications Will Be Considered cannot be added successfully after its deadline for consideration. This often affects medicine and selected health-science or education programmes.
The application fee should therefore be paid before the programme deadline, not merely before the general CAO late-fee date.
CAO Application Fees for 2027
The CAO administration fee is non-refundable.
On-Time Administration Fee
South African applicants: R250
International applicants: R300
The single fee covers an application containing up to six programme choices.
Late Administration Fee
For first-semester applications and fees received from 1 November, the current late-fee structure is:
South African applicants: R470
International applicants: R580
Paying the higher late fee does not guarantee that a closed programme will consider the application.
Change of Mind Fee
The fee to add, remove, replace or reorder programme choices is:
R140 per Change of Mind submission
Applicants must re-enter every programme choice they want to keep when submitting a Change of Mind request.
How to Pay the CAO Fee
Applicants can pay:
Online by debit or credit card
Through the CAO payment service
At an EasyPay outlet
EasyPay outlets may include:
Shoprite
Checkers
Pick n Pay
Boxer
Woolworths
Other participating EasyPay retailers
Use the unique EasyPay number issued with the CAO application as the payment reference.
The application is not made available to the selected institutions until CAO receives the full administration fee.
Official payment page: https://www.cao.ac.za/Payment.aspx
Documents to Prepare
The required documents depend on the applicant’s education history, citizenship and programme choices.
Applicants should prepare clear digital copies of relevant documents, including:
South African identity document or passport
Grade 11 final results for current Grade 12 learners, where requested
Latest Grade 12 results available
National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate results
Academic transcript for applicants who previously studied at a university or college
Certificates for qualifications already completed
Study permit for international applicants
Permanent-residence, refugee or asylum-seeker documents where applicable
Signed declaration
Parent or legal guardian’s signature on the declaration if the applicant is under 18
Additional programme-specific documents
Proof of name or identity changes where applicable
Applicants should upload readable documents. Illegible or incomplete files may delay or damage the selection process.
The biographical details in the application should exactly match the details registered for the Department of Basic Education’s National Senior Certificate examination.
How to Apply Through CAO
Step 1: Search for Programmes
Open the CAO programme list:
https://www.cao.ac.za/AvailableProgrammes.aspx
Search using:
Institution
Faculty
Campus
Programme name
Programme code
Career direction
Entry year
Entry term
Examination type
Review the minimum entrance requirements, points and closing date for each programme.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Step 2: Start the Online Application
Open the application page:
https://www.cao.ac.za/IDLookup.aspx
Enter a South African identity number or passport number.
Read the instructions and terms before continuing.
Step 3: Complete Personal and Academic Details
Enter all required information accurately, including:
Personal details
Contact information
Citizenship or residency status
School information
Examination details
Previous study history
Programme choices
Applicants may choose up to six programmes and should rank them in their genuine order of preference.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Review the application summary.
Correct any errors and select Process My Application.
A successful submission should display a confirmation message and generate:
CAO number
Password
EasyPay number
Save these details securely.
Step 5: Pay and Upload Documents
Pay the full administration fee and upload all documents requested by CAO or the selected institutions.
Use the Upload My Documents service on the CAO homepage.
An application is considered valid only after CAO receives:
The completed application
Programme choices
Signed declaration
Parent or guardian consent when required
Full administration fee
How to Upload Documents
Go to the CAO homepage and select Upload My Documents.
Log in using the required application details and follow the instructions.
Before submitting, check that:
The entire document is visible
The writing is readable
No page is cut off
The correct document type is selected
Names and identity numbers match the application
All required pages have been included
Do not upload password-protected or corrupted files.
How to Check Your CAO Application Status
Applicants can track progress through My Application.
Official status page: https://www.cao.ac.za/MyApplicationLogin.aspx
Enter one of the following:
CAO number
South African identity number
Passport number
The application profile may show:
Personal information
Uploaded documents
Programme choices
Financial-aid information
Application history
Institution decisions
Outstanding requirements
Applicants should check their status regularly and monitor the email address and cellphone number used in the application.
Common CAO Status Meanings
Waiting for a Decision
The application and full administration fee were received by the programme deadline.
The institution has not yet issued a final decision.
Late Application
The application was received after the programme’s closing date.
It may be considered after on-time applications and only if space remains.
Programme Closed
The programme is no longer accepting applications.
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No late application will be considered through CAO for that programme.
Awaiting Results or Documents
CAO or the institution needs examination results or supporting records before processing can continue.
Firm Offer or Conditional Offer
The institution has made an offer.
A conditional offer normally requires the applicant to meet outstanding academic or other conditions.
Applicants must respond within the period stated by the institution. An offer may be withdrawn when the applicant does not respond in time.
How to Submit a Change of Mind
A Change of Mind allows an applicant to:
Add a programme
Replace a programme
Remove a programme
Change the order of choices
Extend an application to another entry year or term
Open the Change of Mind service from the CAO homepage and log in.
Enter the complete updated list of programme choices, including every existing choice that should remain.
The fee is R140 for each submission.
Once payment reflects, the new choices are shared with the selected institutions.
A Change of Mind does not reopen a programme that refuses late applications.
Can Applicants Apply Directly to an Institution?
Applicants should follow the method published by the institution.
When a programme is listed through CAO, the applicant should normally use CAO unless the institution’s official instructions state otherwise.
Do not submit duplicate applications through several unofficial websites.
CAO handles application administration, but questions about admission decisions must be directed to the institution that made the decision.
Does CAO Provide NSFAS Funding?
No. A CAO application is not an NSFAS application.
Applicants who need financial assistance must apply separately through the official NSFAS platform when applications are open.
Admission and funding are different processes.
A university offer does not guarantee NSFAS approval, and NSFAS approval does not automatically create a place in a programme.
Application Safety Warning
XTRAfrica verification warning: Never pay an individual to guarantee university admission, change an application status or secure a place in a closed programme. Pay only through the official CAO payment system or an authorised EasyPay outlet.
CAO does not make final selection decisions. Any person promising a guaranteed offer in exchange for money is misrepresenting the process.
CAO Contact Details
South Africa: 031 268 4444
International callers: +27 31 268 4444
Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:30
Friday: 08:00–14:00
Physical address: Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street, Cato Manor, Durban
Website: https://www.cao.ac.za/
CAO’s face-to-face office is scheduled to operate from 2 March to 30 November 2026, excluding applicable public holidays and official closures.
Important Deadline Reminder
There is no single closing date for all CAO applications.
Applicants must check the deadline for every programme choice.
High-demand courses may close in August or September, while applications received from 1 November 2026 may attract the late administration fee.
Apply and pay before the earliest deadline among the selected programmes.
Official Sources
CAO homepage: https://www.cao.ac.za/
Apply online: https://www.cao.ac.za/IDLookup.aspx
Available programmes: https://www.cao.ac.za/AvailableProgrammes.aspx
Check My Application: https://www.cao.ac.za/MyApplicationLogin.aspx
2027 Entry Handbook: https://www.cao.ac.za/Download/CAO%20HANDBOOK%202027%20Entry%20web.pdf
2027 application guide: https://www.cao.ac.za/download/A5_Applications%20for%202027%20Entry.pdf
Member institutions: https://www.cao.ac.za/institute.aspx?content=InstitutionMain
Terms and conditions: https://www.cao.ac.za/Apply.aspx?content=Terms
Verification
Official organization: Central Applications Office
Entry year: 2027
Applications opened: 1 March 2026
Application status: Open
Maximum programme choices: Six
Deadlines: Programme-specific
Change of Mind fee: R140 per submission
Date checked: 5 August 2026
Verification status: Confirmed
Official application portal: https://www.cao.ac.za/
XTRAfrica is not affiliated with the Central Applications Office or any participating institution. Applicants should rely on the official CAO programme list and institution notices for final deadlines, entry requirements and admission decisions.
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