CAO 2027 University Applications Are Officially Open

CAO 2027 University Applications Are Officially Open, Secure Your Spot at South African Universities with CAO 2027 Applications

Great news for prospective students planning to apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) for the 2027 academic year. The first-semester application window officially opened on 1 March 2026, and submissions are now being accepted. Institutions such as DUT, MUT, UniZulu, UKZN, and others are ready to receive applications. Don’t delay—submit yours as soon as possible.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire application process to help you secure a place in your preferred undergraduate programme. You’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions to complete your application correctly and strengthen your chances of admission.

What You Need to Know About CAO 2027 Entry

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a centralized platform that streamlines the university application process for students who hold an NSC or an equivalent qualification. Through the CAO, applicants can apply to universities in KwaZulu-Natal as well as a range of TVET colleges across South Africa, providing access to diverse higher education opportunities.

The CAO receives applications, processes them, and forwards them to the selected institution, where the final admission decision is made.

Applying through CAO 2027 saves time and money by allowing you to submit one application, pay a single fee, apply to multiple institutions and up to six courses, and improve your chances through early submission.

Documents Needed for CAO 2027 Application

Prospective students applying through the Central Application Office for the 2027 academic year must submit a copy of each of the documents listed below.

Certified Copy of ID and Birth certificate
Final Grade 11 Report (if you are in Grade 12) OR
Highest qualification achieved
Copy of study/residence permit (if you are a non-South-African applicant)
June Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it, if you are currently in Grade 12)
September/Trials Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it, if you are currently in Grade 12)
Any other document requested by the institution

CAO 2027 Application Deadline

CAO expects all application documents, including a fully completed application form, supporting documents, and proof of payment, to be submitted by the following deadlines (at midnight):

Early Applications: October 31, 2026
Late Applications: November 30, 2026

Late Applications: Prospective students who apply from November 1 will be considered for late applications, which will depend on the availability of spaces at the various partnering institutions. Please note that late applications will also incur an additional fee. Therefore, it is always advisable to apply early to avoid extra costs and ensure your application is considered.

CAO 2027 Application Administration Fee

Since the Central Application Office accepts both domestic and international applications, the application fee varies based on country and submission time. Below is the breakdown of the CAO 2027 application fees based on the time of submission and applicant status:

Early Submission (by October 31, 2026):

South African applicants: R250.00
International applicants: R300.00

Late Applications (November 1, 2026, onwards):

South African applicants: R470.00
International applicants: R580.00

Payment Methods:

Online: Credit card payment during application on www.cao.ac.za.
EasyPay: Use your unique EasyPay number at participating outlets.

The CAO Handbook for 2027 contains detailed and comprehensive information about the application process, academic requirements, fees to be paid, partnering institutions, and everything you may need. Get a copy by clicking here

How to Apply Through the Central Application Office

The Central Application Office accepts both online and manual applications. You are advised to either apply online or manually.

CAO Manual Applications:

If you prefer to apply manually, you can obtain a copy of the application form at the following locations:

Your high school admission office
The four universities in KwaZulu-Natal and the DBE District Offices
Selected libraries across South Africa

Once completed, you can submit your application form through any of the following channels:

Email it to: formsreceivedcao@cao.ac.za
Post it to: Private Bag X06, Dalbridge, 4014
Hand deliver it to: CAO, Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (formerly Cato Manor Road), Durban

Please note: All supporting documents must be uploaded online at www.cao.ac.za and should not be attached to the hard copy applications for manual submissions.

CAO 2027 Online Application Steps

If you want real-time feedback on your application, it’s best to complete an online application form. Follow the steps below to submit your application online:

Visit the official CAO website: www.cao.ac.za
Click on “Apply” to begin the application process.
Read through the details, then click “Continue with Application.”
Enter your ID number and click ‘Submit.’
After scrolling down, click “Continue with Application” at the bottom of the page.
Enter all required information in the application form. Once completed, click “Next.”
You’ll be provided with your CAO number, password, and EasyPay number. Read the guidelines carefully before continuing.
Click “Continue with Online Application” to proceed.
Complete all necessary information and click “Next.”
Enter your Next of Kin details, and click “Next.”
When prompted, enter the school details, including the years you enrolled and graduated, and click “Search.”
After reviewing everything, click “Next.”
Once you’re satisfied with your application, click “Process My Application”.
After successful submission, you will receive a confirmation notification.
You can now proceed to pay online via credit card or use EasyPay to make the payment.

CAO Contact Details

If you encounter any difficulties, you can reach out to the Central Application Office, and they will assist you. For more details:

Visit the CAO website: cao.ac.za
Contact the CAO Call Centre: 031 268 4444 or 086 086 0226
Email: formrequestcao@cao.ac.za

Good luck with your CAO 2027 application!

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