The CAO handbook for 2025 will soon be uploaded to the official website and is available for download as a PDF document. Before submitting any application to the Central Applications Office (CAO), all prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students need to have a copy of the handbook cause it serves as a guide.
While universities and colleges in Kwazulu-Natal make final decisions on who to admit, they rely on the CAO to handle the application administration. This means that applicants only need to submit one application through the CAO to apply to multiple universities, saving them time and effort.
The CAO Handbook 2025 contains all the information that a prospective student needs about the Central Applications Office activities such as a list of courses, application procedures, admission requirements, and other information that can guide you throughout the CAO admission process. In the handbook:
- The programme choice is listed according to career directions
- The Blue heading talks about the programmes offered at the university whereas the orange headings enlist all the courses in the private colleges.
- Go straight to the field of study and select your topic to read on.
CAO Handbook 2025 – Download PDF
The handbook has been uploaded to the official website of the Central Applications Office as a PDF document. Below is a link to download the handbook:
| CAO Handbook 2025 | PDF Download |
| CAO website | Cao.ac.za |
The Central Applications Office is the organisation responsible for overseeing undergraduate applications to colleges and universities in KwaZulu-Natal province, So if you are applying to any institution in that province, it is advised that you get this handbook and read through it. the major institutions in the KwaZulu-Natal province are:
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Zululand
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
If you want to apply to any of these institutions in 2025, click the link to find out how to go about the application process.
CAO Application Dates
The Central Applications Office opened its application window on 1 March 2024 and it will be open till whenever your college/university of choice decides to stop accepting applications (which will most likely be on 30 September 2024). Make sure you apply on time to avoid paying a late application fee.
Contact Central Application Office
If you encounter any problem while downloading the CAO Handbook 2025, the best action to take is to contact the Central Applications Office officials. you can contact them through any of the media below:
- Call Centre: 031 268 4444
- 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]
