CAO Online Application 2027 Open – Get all the Details Here!

It’s another application year! The Central Applications Office (CAO) has officially launched its 2027 online system to accept applications from prospective students across South Africa.

The Central Applications Office is an online platform used to receive and process university admission applications in South Africa. Students within and outside the country apply for undergraduate qualifications at selected universities through the CAO system, which manages submissions and forwards applications to the respective institutions for consideration.

The application process can be overwhelming, especially if you are using the system for the first time. We therefore encourage you to read this article carefully to gain a clear understanding of the steps involved and ensure a smooth and successful application experience.

What to Do

Your first step should be to research the course you intend to apply for. The Central Applications Office provides a comprehensive handbook that lists all participating universities, along with their available programmes and specific entry requirements. Reviewing this information carefully will help you choose the right qualification and make the application process much smoother and easier to complete.

Key Application Dates

Prospective students have until 31 October 2026 to submit all required application materials, including a fully completed online application form, supporting documents, and proof of payment of the application fee. Applications submitted within this period will be charged the standard application fee as follows:

South African citizens: R250
International applicants: R300

After 31 October 2026, the application fees will increase to:

South African citizens: R470
International applicants: R580

Change of Mind (Programme or Institution Changes)

Applicants who wish to change their programme or university choice may do so during the Change of Mind period, which runs from 1 June to 31 August 2026. A fee of R140 applies for this service.

Late Applications

Late applications will be accepted from 1 November 2026 for selected programmes with available space and will remain open until 15 March 2027. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply within the normal application window to avoid higher fees and limited programme availability.

How to Apply

The first step is to visit the official Central Applications Office (CAO) website and create an account. Once registered, activate your profile and proceed with completing the online application form. You will be required to provide the following information:

Personal details
Educational background
Academic results
Work experience (if applicable)
Your chosen programmes and universities

Applicants may apply to up to three different universities and select up to six programmes per institution, all under a single application fee.

You will need a valid mobile phone number to receive a One-Time PIN (OTP) to verify your account and continue with the application process.

Please note that your application will only be processed once the required application fee has been paid.

Application Feedback

After submitting your application, you will receive an acknowledgment message via email confirming that your application has been successfully received.

Applicants should allow up to 14 working days after the closing date to receive feedback regarding the status of their applications. The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications and shortlists candidates who meet the minimum requirements. However, the final admission decision is made by your chosen university, subject to programme requirements and space availability.

You can also track the progress of your application at any time by logging into the CAO portal using your CAO reference number. Each stage of the process is updated on your application dashboard.

Contact Information for CAO

For any questions or concerns, you can contact CAO using the following:

Phone Number: +353-(0)91-509800
Address: Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, H91 X25V, Ireland
Website: www.cao.ac.za

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