CAO My Application

CAO stands for Central Applications Office. It is a South African organization responsible for the processing of all applications for undergraduate admission to public universities. You can apply to CAO through their online application portal.

Click here to Access CAO My Application. Click here for ‘Study Options for Me’ – Enter your CAO number, ID number or Results to see what programmes you may qualify for at our member institutions.

How to apply to CAO in South Africa:

  1. Create an account on the CAO website.
  2. Enter your personal information, including your name, surname, contact information, and academic qualifications.
  3. Choose the universities that you want to apply to.
  4. Submit your application and pay the application fee.

Once you have submitted your application, CAO will send it to the universities that you have chosen. The universities will then review your application and make a decision on whether or not to admit you.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

How to apply as an international applicant?

An international applicant is a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa, or a refugee/asylum seeker with a permit allowing study. The higher education institutions of KwaZulu-Natal welcome applications from international applicants for their formal degree, diploma and certificate programmes. Some institutions also offer the opportunity to study in South Africa for one semester or one year. DUT and UKZN do not accept international applicants into their access programmes. Applications to study Medicine at UKZN are consider ONLY from citizens of Lesotho and Mauritius and applicants must apply via their governments. You will require a study permit if you wish to come to South Africa to study. This does not apply to distance learning students who study in their home countries.

Where do I send my application as an international applicant?

If you are applying for short-term study, apply directly to the institution.

If you are applying to UKZN only, apply directly to the institution.

For other institutions and choices at more than one institution, apply through the CAO. Email to formsreceivedcao@cao.ac.za or fax to +27 31 268 4422.

Study Permits

Once you have a letter offering you a place from the further or higher education institution, you can apply to the South African embassy, high commission, consulate or trade office for your study permit. The permit application will take up to eight weeks to be processed. Acceptance by an institution does not place any obligation on the South African government to issue or renew study permits. DO NOT leave home before your study permit is granted – you will not be allowed to study on a visitor’s permit. You cannot apply for your first permit after you arrive in South Africa. People who are in South Africa for study purposes are not eligible to apply for South African citizenship. Refugee and asylum seeker applicants require documentation from the Department of Home Affairs granting permission to study in South Africa.

Foreign qualifications

The following are considered to be equivalent to the South African degree entry requirements:

GCE:

Five passes in GCE including two at `A` level:

  • “A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E
  • “O” level passes must be A, B or C

Five passes in GCE as well as four at AS levell:

  • “A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E;
  • “O” level passes must be A, B or C; and
  • “AS” level passes must be A, B, C or D.
  • HIGCSE passes must be 1, 2 or 3
  • IGCSE passes must be A, B or C

Tips for applying to CAO in South Africa:

  • Start your application early. The application deadline is usually in November, but it is best to start early so that you have plenty of time to complete your application and gather all of the required documentation.
  • Make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the universities that you are applying to. The eligibility requirements for each university vary, so it is important to check with the universities directly.
  • Submit a well-written personal statement. Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to tell the universities about yourself and why you are interested in attending their university. Make sure that your personal statement is well-written and free of errors.
  • Get letters of recommendation from your teachers or other professionals who know you well. Letters of recommendation can help to give the universities a better understanding of your qualifications and potential.
  • Pay the application fee on time. The application fee is usually around R200. You can pay the application fee online or by mail.

Once you have submitted your application, you will need to monitor your application status through the CAO website. You will be notified of the decision of each university by email.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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