KZN Universities 2026 Applications Open at CAO

KZN Universities 2026 Applications Open at CAO, KZN Universities 2026 First Semester Applications Open at CAO

All KwaZulu-Natal universities are taking applications for the first semester of 2026 through the Central Applications Office (CAO) from March to October 2025. Apply now! The CAO office must receive applications by the end of business on the day of the deadline.

The CAO system processes admission applications for all universities in KwaZulu-Natal. This announcement pertains to the opening of 2026 semester 1 applications at DUT, Mangosuthu University, UKZN, and UniZulu.

Documents Required and Needed for CAO Applications 2026

The documents you need to apply for via the Central Applications Office (CAO) depend on your situation:

Current Grade 12s:

ID document (e.g., South African ID book, passport)
Final Grade 11 Progress Report (when applying)
Mid-Term/June Grade 12 results (as soon as they become available)
September/Grade 12 Trial results (as soon as they become available)

Applicants who have already passed Grade 12 and have not studied at another post-school institution:

A certified copy of your South African birth certificate or an equivalent document.
Your final Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. .
Proof of payment of the application fee.

Optional documents:

A certified copy of your identity document (ID).
A certified copy of your passport (if you are a foreign applicant).
Proof of your academic achievements (e.g., awards, certificates).
Proof of your participation in extracurricular activities (e.g., letters of recommendation, certificates).

CAO 2026 Non-refundable Application Fees

The CAO application fee depends on your nationality and when you submit your application:

South African applicants:

On-time: R250
Late: R300

International applicants: R300 (regardless of submission time)

How to Apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO):

Two modes of application are accepted by the Central Applications Office (CAO). Prospective applicants are required to submit their application using only one of the available methods. An online application is an option, or the application form can be downloaded and completed manually.

Application Deadline

The CAO application window 2026 will be open from Saturday, March 1, 2025, until Friday, October 31, 2025. Compared to applications submitted on time, any received after October 31, 2025, will be considered late and subject to additional fees.

CAO Online Application Steps for 2026

To apply to your preferred KwaZulu university through the CAO office, follow the steps provided below.

Go to the CAO 2026 Application form at www.cao.ac.za
Review the “How to Use the programme List” guide.
Refer to the “summary of codes used” document.
Use the “index” to locate the program page.
Click “Apply” at the top.
Proceed to “Apply Now.”.
Complete the application by entering all the required information and following the prompts.
Print the declaration and deposit slip.
Pay the application fee.
Attach the necessary documents and proof of payment to the declaration form.
Submit by mail to CAO or in person at CAO offices.
Keep the receipt, and record your CAO number and password for future application status tracking.

CAO Application Form 2026 PDF Download

How to apply using the hard copy of the application form

Kindly enter www.cao.ac.za into your browser
Click on CAO Application Form for 2026
Review the program guides and find the desired program.
Download and complete the application form.
Pay the fee and attach documents.
Submit via mail or the CAO office.
Keep the receipt and login details.

How to Check Your CAO 2026 Application

Follow the steps below after applying to track your CAO status

Visit the CAO application form for 2026 at www.cao.ac.za.
Click “My Application.”.
Enter your details and follow the prompts.
Your application status should be displayed.

Refer: Wits University 2026 Application Now Open!

Apply for CAO 2026 Late Applications Now Open

The last day to apply for late CAO applications is Sunday, March 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. Prospective applicants should register on the system before this deadline. Applicants must click “Apply” at www.cao.ac.za before 5 p.m. on March 2. Courses are still available at the partner universities for late applications through CAO in 2026.

Interested applicants can change their course choices using the CAO’s Change of Mind tool, which opens at noon on March 5, 2026. Due to the limited number of available courses, applicants should apply quickly. The CAO 2026 late application form is open for all applicants, including those applying to universities for the 2026 academic year.

Central Application Office Contact Information

At certain points during the application process, phone lines will be extremely busy, and we advise all applicants to send their queries through the online contact form.