The CAO applications for the 2025 academic year have opened today, 1 March 2024. If you plan to study at a university or college in South Africa, chances are you might be applying through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
The Central Application Office (CAO) is responsible for processing and coordinating applications for admission to undergraduate courses at some universities, universities of technology, and colleges of education in South Africa.
This article will provide you with the application opening and closing dates for admission in 2025, How to apply at CAO, application login, CAO my application status, and CAO international/foreign students requirements in 2025.
CAO Application Opening and Closing Dates
The management of the Central Applications Office (CAO) has opened its portal for university/college applications on 1 March 2024 and will close in 30 September 2025, though most universities you will be applying to will have their closing dates. Late applications will be tolerated but you will have to pay a late application fee, so to avoid this fee, make sure you apply on time.
Programmes Offered At CAO
- Shorter course study
- NC(V) study
- Nated Certificate & Diploma study (Report 191 Programmes)
- Certificate study
- Diploma study
- Degree study
- B Tech/M Tech study (programmes for people with a diploma or a degree)
Note that postgraduate applications are not handled by CAO, so if that is the programme you want to undertake, consult the school management.
Universities/Colleges That Use CAO
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Zululand
There are colleges which use CAO as well:
- AAA School of Advertising
- Berea College of Technology
- Berea Technical College
- Stadio
- CTU Training Solutions
- Central Technical College
- ICESA Education
- iStudent
- PAX College
- Regent Business School
- Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
- Varsity College: Business School
- MANCOSA
- Management and Leadership Academy
- Eduvos
How to Apply to CAO
There are three ways in which you can apply to the Central Applications Office; online application, mobile app, and physical submission, but the most effective and recommended one is the online application and that is the one below.
Online Application
- Go to the website cao.ac.za and click on the ‘Apply’ button
- Enter your ID number or passport number and click on ‘Submit’
- Start to enter ALL the details requested. Once you have entered all the requested information, click on ‘Next’
- A pop-up window will appear with your CAO number, password, and EasyPay number. Read the instructions.
- Follow the instructions and complete ALL the information requested, then click ‘Next’.
- Complete the ‘Next of Kin’ details and click ‘Next’.
- Insert the school name and click on ‘Search’. The school name will appear in a box and you must enter the year you attended that school and the year you finished attending that school.
- When you reach ‘Process My Application’, click on the button.
- The message on your screen will display that your submission has been successful.
- You can now pay online and/or upload your supporting documents.
- Pay via EasyPay.
The other two methods involve downloading the CAO app which is present on both the Play Store and Apple App Store, or getting a physical form which will be shared with schools. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please refer to the CAO Handbook 2025.
CAO Application Status
After submitting your application, you can check the status of your CAO application later on to see whether you have been accepted/admitted or not. You can check the status of your CAO application by following the below steps:
- Visit Cao.ac.za.
- Click on ‘Check My Application’.
- You will be told to choose between your CAO number, ID number, or Passport Number
- Choose one, input it in the box below, and click ‘submit’
- Alternatively, use the CAO self-help service by dialling 031 268 4444 or 0860 860 226
Contact CAO
- Physical Address: Gate 11, Central Services Complex – UKZN, Mary Thiphe Street (Cato Manor Road), Cato Manor, Durban
- Postal Address: Private Bag X06, Dalbridge,4014
- E-Mail: [email protected]
