CAO Applications 2026
Complete guide to Central Applications Office process for KZN universities with step-by-step assistance
2026 CAO Fee Structure
Important fee updates for the 2026 application cycle
🇿🇦 SA Citizens
🌍 International
⚠️ Late Applications
🔄 Change of Mind
Apply before November 1st, 2025 to save on application fees!
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Create Your CAO Account
Visit www.cao.ac.za and click "Apply Now". You'll need a valid email address and South African ID number (or passport for international students).
Complete Personal Information
Fill in your personal details, contact information, and educational background. Ensure all information matches your ID document exactly.
- Full names (as per ID/Passport)
- Contact details (email & phone)
- Residential and postal addresses
- School and year of completion
- Parent/guardian information
Choose Your Institutions & Courses
Select up to 6 institutions and courses. Order them by preference - first choice is most preferred.
Upload Required Documents
Prepare and upload clear scanned copies or photos of these documents (PDF or JPEG format):
Pay Application Fee & Submit
Pay the applicable application fee based on your citizenship status and timing:
KZN Universities Using CAO for 2026
These KZN institutions accept undergraduate applications through the Central Applications Office:
Important Application Note
Postgraduate applications for UKZN and University of Zululand are handled directly by the universities, NOT through CAO. Visit their official postgraduate admissions pages for separate application procedures.
Start Your 2026 Application
Fill in your details below to get personalized guidance for your CAO application:
Download 2026 Resources
Application Tutorials
Step-by-step 2026 application videos