1. Where to find us and how to contact us

1.1 General Information

Call Centre	Call 031 268 4444 Mon-Thurs 08h00-16h30, Fri 08h00-14h00 (Use our self-help option after hours (031 268 4444)
Physical Address	Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street (previously Cato Manor Road), Durban
Website	www.cao.ac.za
Social Media Platforms	CentralApplicationsOffice @cao_031

1.2 Online functions available at www.cao.ac.za

Function	Click On
To Apply	<Apply> - at the top of landing page
To Pay	<Payments> - at the top of landing page
Submit supporting documents	'Upload My Documents' icon
Deciding on your career	'Don't Know What to Study' icon
List of available programmes	'Available Programmes' icon
To follow progress of your application	'Check My Application' icon
To complete a 'Change of Mind'	'Change of Mind' icon
To change your Personal details	'Update My Details' icon
For Important Notices and News	'Important Notices and News' icon
To report online issues	'Report an error'

1.3. For Email Communication

For	Email
Payment Queries	paymentscao@cao

1.2. Important Notices and News and Terms and Conditions

To view our 'Important Notices and News' click on the 'Important Notices and News' icon on our homepage.

To view our 'Terms and Conditions':- Click on the 'Apply' tab on the top of the Homepage, and thereafter click on 'Terms and Conditions' on the menu bar found on the left-hand side

OR

You can view the Terms and Conditions, by clicking on the 'Important Notices and News' icon on our homepage. The Terms and Conditions can be viewed in the CAO 2027 Entry Handbook, in the E-Book or PDF Version. (Refer to page 06)

1.3. CAO's Operating Hours

The CAO offices will be open from the 02 March 2026 to the 30 November 2026, for face-to-face engagements.

For any enquiries phone our Call Centre and our friendly agents will be happy to assist. Call 031 268 4444 during office hours from Monday - Thursday 08h00-16h30 and Friday 08h00-14h00, except for public holidays. If calling from outside South Africa call +27 31 268 4444.

1.4. 2027 Entry Handbook

Click on the 'Important Notices and News' icon on our homepage. Go to '2027 Entry Handbook', Click on 'Read more' and then click on the link provided to view the Handbook online in an E-book or a downloadable PDF Version. You can also click on the 'CAO Handbook' icon on the top right-hand side of the home page and a downloadable PDF Version will be available to view.

2.1 How to use the Programme List

Select the 'Available Programmes' icon on our homepage.

Select 'Programme List' from the left navigation bar to view the programmes available by using the drop-down menu options for institution/faculty/campus or career direction.

2.1.1 If you know the programme name only

1. Enter the 'Programme Name' in field provided on screen.
2. Select a specific institution if you have a preference or leave 'All Institutions' to see which institutions offer the programme.
3. Click on 'Search'
4. You will be presented with the results of your search in a grid at the bottom of the screen.
5. Click on 'Select' to view programme information and enter your exam type e.g., National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC) to view the Entry Requirements and Points required.

2.1.2 If you don't know the programme code or name and want to see what programmes are available:

1. Use the search filters in the Programme list page to search by institution, faculty, campus, programme, etc.
2. Enter your exam type e.g., National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate (SC)
3. Click on 'Submit'
4. You will be presented with the results of your search in a grid at the bottom of the screen.
5. Click on 'Select' to view the entry requirements of the programme you selected.

2.2 What are Alternative Access Route Programmes (also called Access Routes)?

An access route is an alternative study route that may lead to your original mainstream programme of study.

2.2.1 Access Route Programmes are spread over a longer period than normal and are provided to help applicants who may not meet the entry requirements for specific degrees and diplomas.

2.2.2 Some programmes don't have access routes but offer three and four year options based on the applicant's results in the NSC and in selection tests. These programmes are indicated by '3/4 years' in the Programme Choice List under 'duration'.

2.2.3 For a list of 'Alternative Access Route Programmes' view the E-book or PDF Version of the CAO 2027 Entry Handbook, located on our homepage under 'Important Notices and News' (Refer to pages 204-207)

2.3 Second Chance Application

If after applying you are unsuccessful with any of your programme choices, you may complete and submit a 'Change of Mind' (COM). This is referred to as a second chance application.

2.3.1 The COM must be completed online.

2.3.2 Your choices are immediately available to the institutions to which you have applied when received with the full COM administration fee.

2.3.3 COMS completed online and paid via EasyPay are processed the day after receipt of the COM administration fee.

2.4 I need assistance deciding what to study OR I need to know for which programmes I meet the entry requirements?

2.4.1 Select the 'Don't Know What to Study' icon on the Home Page

2.4.2 Click on 'Study Options for Me' from the menu bar on the left of the screen.

2.4.3 You will be presented with two options, if you select:

1. I am a learner looking for help with subject choices.
1. Click 'Submit' to proceed.
2. Select your Exam Type.
3. Search and add your chosen seven school subjects as per the guidelines provided on the webpage: Study Options for me - Subject Selection - "How to Enter your Subjects".
4. Once all seven school subjects have been selected:
• Select the type of institution you wish to study at.
• Select which programmes you would like to see and click 'Continue'.
This option will assist learners in Grade 9 looking for assistance with subject selection.
2. I already know my school results or the subjects I am writing in Grade 12
1. Click 'Submit' to proceed.
2. Select your relevant South African school leaving exam and click 'Next'.
3. Search and add your chosen seven school subjects and pass levels as per the guidelines provided on the webpage: Study Options for me - Subject Selection - "How to Enter your Subjects".
4. Once all seven school subjects have been selected:
• Select the level of study you qualify for as indicated on your certificate or statement of results.
• Select the type of institution you wish to study at.
• Select which programmes you would like to see and click 'Continue'.

2.4.4 You will now be presented with a list of career directions.
Click 'Select' to view programmes in a Career Direction that may be suitable for you.

2.5 Is there someone that can assist me further with career advice?

The Department of Higher Education and Training has a Career Advice Service where fully qualified career advisors provide career information, guidance, and advice.

The National Career Advice Portal (NCAP) is an online self-help tool designed to facilitate informed career and study decisions. NCAP is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Contact them by:

1. Sending a text message or Please Call Me to 072 204 5056 OR
2. Email them at careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
3. OR Call their helpline on 086 999 0123.

3.1. PREPARATION BEFORE YOU APPLY: -

3.1.1 If you are currently in Grade 12.

• Your ID Number (Found on your ID Document and/or Birth Certificate) or Passport Number
• At least your Final Grade 11 Results.
• Also, Your Grade 12 June and/or Trials (September results) if you already have it or as soon as you get it.

3.1.2 If you have already passed the Grade 12 Final Examinations

• Your ID Number (Found on your ID Document and/or Birth Certificate) or Passport Number
• Your Final NSC results.

3. 2. DURING YOUR APPLICATION

COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

1. Go to our website: - www.cao.ac.za
2. Click on 'Apply' on the top navigation bar.
3. Read the information and click on 'Continue with Application'.
4. Enter your ID / Passport Number and click on 'Submit'.
5. Read the information and click on 'Continue with Application'.
6. Select 'Yes' or 'No' from the dropdown menu, if you wish to authorise someone to access your application information (Power of Attorney) then click 'Next'.
7. If you selected 'Yes', enter the details of the person/s you wish to authorise in the grid provided. This will give each nominated person full power and authority to act for you in all matters relating to CAO. You may authorise a maximum of two (2) additional persons to access your application information on your behalf.
8. Tick the checkboxes to confirm that the information is correct, then click "Next".
9. Enter ALL the details requested. Once you have entered all the requested information, click on 'Next'.
10. Click on 'Continue with Online Application'.
11. A pop-up window will appear with your CAO number, password and EasyPay number. Read the instructions. The same information will also be sent to the email address you provided. This information is important to access your information later and track the progress of your application.
🚨PLEASE NOTE: YOU HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED YOUR APPLICATION
12. Click on 'Continue with Online Application'.
13. Follow the instructions, complete ALL the information requested and click 'Next' on each page as you navigate through the application.
14. At the end of the application, view the summary of YOUR application presented on screen. Should any information be incorrect, click on 'Edit' and update the information immediately.
15. To submit your application, click on 'Process My Application' at the bottom of the page.
YOUR APPLICATION HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED ✅
16. You will know that you have successfully submitted your application when you receive the prompt "Your Application has been successfully submitted to CAO."

3.3 AT THE SAME TIME, WHILE COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION YOU CAN:

1. Pay your admin fee online at the same time you apply or after or by choosing to pay at an EasyPay Outlet (See Page 24 in the handbook on 'Ways to Pay the Administration Fee').
2. Submit/Upload your supporting documents eg. ID/Passport, School Results etc at the same time you apply or afterwards by clicking on the 'Upload My Documents' icon on the Homepage (See Page 22 in the handbook on 'How to Submit your Supporting Documents).

3.4. AFTER YOU HAVE APPLIED

If you did not pay the administration fee or upload your documents at the time you applied, you must do so as soon possible.

1. Pay the administration fee online by clicking on 'Payments' on the top menu bar OR Pay via an EasyPay outlet (See Page 24 in the handbook on 'Ways to Pay the Administration Fee').
2. Upload your Proof of Payment AND any other supporting documents by clicking on the 'Upload My Documents' icon on the Homepage (See Page 22 in the handbook on 'How to Submit your Supporting Documents).

4.1 What is the Administration Fee?

Please check the Administration Fee grid below for the entry year & term you are applying for and the related administration fee that you need to pay.

4.2 Ways to pay the Administration Fee/ COM Administration Fee?

You have two options of making payment:

4.2.1 Online (two ways)

4.2.1.1 Paying Online at the same time when you are doing your Application OR Change of Mind

• Select the 'Make Payment' option.
• Follow the instructions onscreen to make payment.

4.2.1.2 Paying Online at any time after you have logged out

Go to www.cao.ac.za

(a) Option 1

• Click on the 'Payments' on the top menu bar.
• Enter your CAO number and Click 'Make Payment'.
• Select payment option: To pay by 'VISA/Mastercard' or 'EasyPay' to pay by debit/credit card.

(b) Option 2

• Click on the 'Check My Application' icon on the Homepage.
• Enter your CAO or ID/Passport number and click 'Submit'.
• Select your payment option:-
• Pay Now by Visa or Mastercard OR
• Pay Now by Credit/Debit Card or other payment options using the EasyPay website

4.2.2 Via EasyPay Outlet

4.2.2.1 Paying via EasyPay Outlet for your application OR Change of Mind

• You can pay at any EasyPay outlet, e.g. Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, etc.
• Use your unique EasyPay Number on your application as the reference when making payment.

5.1 What do I need to upload my documents?

You may upload your documents at the same time when you complete your application OR you may upload your documents at a later date.

You must have the following information on hand when you upload documents.

• CAO/ID Number or Passport Number AND
• Cell number that you have entered on your application OR
• E-mail address that you have entered on your application

Your document/s must be saved in a file on your computer OR on a memory stick/flash drive AND each document must be saved individually and uploaded onto the respective document type.

Click on the 'Upload my Documents' icon on the homepage.

Follow the prompts on screen to login and upload your documents.

5.2 What documents do I require?

5.2.1. The minimum documents required are:

1. Certified copy of your identity document (South African citizens) OR passport (International applicants ONLY)
2. Final Grade 11 Report (if you are in Grade 12) OR
3. Highest school leaving qualification achieved (if you have already completed Grade 12)
4. Accredited qualification/s achieved - post school studies (if you have already completed Grade 12)
5. Copy of Study or Residence Permit (If you are a non-South African applicant)
6. Proof of payment

5.2.2. Further documents required are:

1. June Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
2. September/Trials Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
3. Any other document requested by the institution, e.g. Academic Record, etc

5.3 How do I upload my documents?

How to upload documents after you have logged out:

1. Go to www.cao.ac.za
2. Click on the 'Upload my Documents' icon on the bottom left of the homepage.
3. Follow the prompts onscreen to log into your profile.
4. Select the document type you want to upload.
5. Enter any information requested.
6. Click on 'Choose file' and select the document that you saved.
7. Click on 'Next'
8. If you have uploaded an exam result you will be prompted to enter your results. Once you have entered your results click on 'Next'
9. You will be provided with an option to load any additional documents, select as required.
10. A summary of the information you have entered, and the document will be presented to you to check.
11. Click on 'Submit my Documents'.
12. A message will be displayed on screen to inform you that your documents have been uploaded successfully.

P.S. Ensure that the correct document type is selected when your documents are uploaded. If you upload any documents using the incorrect document type, the document will reflect on our system as 'not received/outstanding' and may result in your application being rejected.

5.4 Important info when entering results for Grade 12 applicants.

5.4.1 It is compulsory to enter your Life Orientation mark.

5.4.2 Please enter your Promotional/ Final mark as indicated on your report.

5.4.3 If your school has not provided you with your Promotional/ Final Mark use your Exam mark.

5.4.4 It is your responsibility to ensure that you enter your results correctly as institutions use this information to make their selection decisions.

6.1. When do I submit a Change of Mind (COM)?

A Change of Mind (COM) is submitted when you want to change your study choices.

This normally happens when:

6.1.1. You no longer want to do a particular programme or programmes.

6.1.2. One or more of your choices has been unsuccessful.

6.1.3. An institution discontinues one of your programme choices (This change is free)

6.1.4. You want to change the ranking of your choices.

6.1.5. You want to carry forward your application to the following entry year/term.

💡 COMS can only be submitted if you have applied and fully paid for your application in the applicable entry year/ term.

6.2. How do I submit a COM (step by step guide)

6.2.1 Go to www.cao.ac.za

6.2.2 Click on the 'Change of Mind' icon on the homepage

6.2.3 Follow the prompts to 'Login'.

6.2.4 You will be presented with a list of your current programme choices.

6.2.5 Enter ALL the programme choices as you would now like them to appear, i.e. the ones you are changing AND those programmes you wish to retain must be entered.

Take Note

• Take special note of the guidelines to assist you with entering your programme information correctly before submitting.
• Please make sure that you enter all your programme choices in the ranking order that you wish before submitting them.
• Click on 'Next' and check that the programme choices you have added are correct.
• Once you have checked, click on 'Process my Change of Mind'

YOUR CHANGE OF MIND HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED✅

• You can now pay online immediately, or you can pay at any EasyPay outlet. Your EasyPay Number will be provided on screen.
• Click on 'Logout' once you are done

💡 For your Change of Mind to be made available to the institutions to which you have applied you must pay your COM Administration fee of R140

6.3. I've submitted a COM but haven't paid for it yet. Can I cancel it and submit another one with different programmes?

6.3.1. If you submit programme changes/additions in more than one Change of Mind Request at different times, each Change of Mind submission will be regarded as a separate request and an administration fee must be paid for each submission, not for each programme change.

6.3.2. Payment/s for multiple COM submissions will be allocated and processed strictly in the sequence that the COM was received by CAO.

7.1. I have been receiving messages to pay but I have made payment. Please assist?

It could be that you have not paid the full CAO administration fee and therefore you will constantly receive payment reminder messages until the outstanding balance has been paid. You must pay the outstanding balance for your application to be available to institutions for selection decisions.

7.2. I have paid my administration fee today, what happens next?

Your payment will only reflect on our system on the next business day. Once received, your application will be made available to the institutions to which you have applied.

7.3. I have paid the full administration fee, but received another message to pay?

Please forward your proof of payment to paymentscao@cao.ac.za in order for us to assist you.

7.4. I overpaid in error; I would like to request for a refund.

You may email your request and banking details to paymentscao@cao.ac.za in order for CAO to process your request. Please be advised that a 10% handling fee will be deducted from your payment for administration and bank charges.

7.5. I paid to the university in error; can I use this payment for my CAO application?

Please forward your proof of payment to paymentscao@cao.ac.zato verify and assign to your application. Kindly quote your CAO reference number and check that the payment made to the member university is sufficient to cover the CAO administration fee. If the administration fee is not sufficient, please pay the remainder of fee to CAO.

7.6. I have been having trouble paying by credit / debit card online. Please assist.

We apologise for the inconvenience.

To assist you identify why this error is occurring please check the following:

1. Are you entering the correct credit/debit card number and expiry date?
2. Did you enter the correct OTP number that was sent to you either by SMS or email to authenticate your transaction?
3. Did you refresh the web page whilst the transaction was being processed?

We hope that some of the above reasons provided will assist you with a successful transaction.

Alternatively, you can pay at any EasyPay outlet, e.g., Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Woolworths, etc. (Please use your unique EasyPay Number as the reference when making payment)

7.7. Where can I get my EasyPay number from as I need to make a payment?

Your EasyPay number was sent to you via email when you applied, with your CAO Number and password.

You may also locate the EasyPay number on some of the letter communication sent to you from CAO e.g. Payment Outstanding, Acknowledgement or Summary letter.

Alternatively, you can click on 'Check My Application' icon on the homepage, enter your CAO Number/ID Number /Passport number, click on 'Submit' and your EasyPay number will be presented onscreen

OR

You can contact our Call Centre on 031-268 4444 during office hours from 08h00-16h30 (Monday to Thursday) and 08h00-14h00 (Friday) for assistance with your EasyPay number

8.1 Who makes selection decisions?

Institutions make selection decisions. The CAO does NOT make selection decisions.

The CAO receives applications, process the applications, and pass on the information to the institutions. Institutions use the information to make their selection decisions and inform the applicant. Sometimes institutions also inform the CAO of their selection decision, and the CAO then passes the decision on to the applicant.

8.2. When will I hear from the institution regarding my application?

Institutions make selection decisions (conditional offers, firm offers, regrets, etc.) throughout the year. The earlier in the year you apply, the earlier you may receive the selection decision.

8.3. How will I know if I have been selected/ offered a place to study?

If you have given us your email address or cell phone number, we will send you a message when a decision is made on any of your programme choices. As soon as you are made an offer, we will communicate this to you.

Some institutions may also send you letters or messages informing you of your offer.

8.4. How do I accept an offer?

You must inform the institution and NOT the CAO about whether you wish to accept the offer. They should send you a letter or message detailing the procedures you must follow. If they give you a deadline to accept a place, it is important that you reply within that time, or the place will be offered to someone else. Most institutions will ask you to pay a non-refundable Acceptance of Offer fee to secure your place. This fee will usually count towards your registration and tuition fees. PLEASE DO NOT pay this money to the CAO. Consult the institution regarding the details of how and when you need to respond and pay.

8.5. How do I decline an offer?

If you have decided not to accept the offer, please communicate this directly to the respective institution.

8.6. What happens after I have accepted an offer?

Once you have accepted a place and paid the deposit requested, the institution should send you details of registration. First semester registration takes place between the second week of January and the beginning of February. Second semester registration takes place between June and August. Check the institutions' websites for details.

9.1 Who is considered an international applicant?

An international applicant is a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa, or a refugee/asylum seeker with a permit allowing study.<

9.2 Where do I send my application as an international applicant?

• If you are applying for short-term study, apply directly to the institution.
• If you are applying to UKZN only, apply directly to the institution.
• For other institutions and choices at more than one institution, apply through the CAO at www.cao.ac.za

9.3 How do I apply as an international applicant?

• You may apply to the CAO if you wish to study at DUT, MUT and UNIZULU. Follow the process to apply online.
• If you wish to apply to UKZN, apply directly to the institution.
• DUT and UKZN do not accept international applicants into their access programmes.
• Applications to study Medicine at UKZN are considered ONLY from citizens of Lesotho and applicants must apply via their governments.
• You will require a study permit if you wish to come to South Africa to study. This does not apply to distance learning students who study in their home countries.
• Once you have a letter offering you a place from the further or higher education institution, you can apply to the South African embassy, high commission, consulate or trade office for your study permit. The permit application will take up to eight weeks to be processed.
• Acceptance by an institution does not place any obligation on the South African government to issue or renew study permits. DO NOT leave home before your study permit is granted - you will not be allowed to study on a visitor's permit. You cannot apply for your first permit after you arrive in South Africa.
• People who are in South Africa for study purposes are not eligible to apply for South African citizenship.
• Refugee and asylum seeker applicants require documentation from the Department of Home Affairs granting permission to study in South Africa.

10.1 Track the Progress of your Application.

You can check the progress of your application by clicking on the 'Check My Application' icon on the homepage and entering your CAO Number or ID number or Passport Number

OR

You can contact our Call Centre during office hours (Monday- Thursday, 08h00-16h30 and Friday 08h00-14h00) on 031 268 4444 or dial +27 31 268 4444 if from outside South Africa

OR

You can use our Self-Help service by dialling 031 268 4444 after hours

10.2 How do I change my contact information?

All changes must be done on our website (www.cao.ac.za), click on the 'Update My Details' icon and follow the prompts onscreen.

You may change your contact details as many times as required, this change is free. Your application must be fully completed and fully paid for in order to update your details.

To Update Your Details:

1. Go to our website (www.cao.ac.za) and click the 'Update My Details 'icon.
2. Enter your CAO number and password to 'Login'.
3. Follow the onscreen prompts and once logged in you will be presented with menu options on the left navigation bar.
4. Select the information field/s that you would like to update.
5. Once you have captured your updated information, select 'Summary details 'to review your changes. Your current and updated information will be displayed side by side for checking.
6. Once you are happy that the updates have been made correctly, click 'Process My Updates 'to submit your changes.
7. A message will be displayed on screen to indicate that your updates have been processed.
8. Click 'Logout 'once completed.

10.3 I need funding, what can I do?

You may indicate that you require funding on your application, and we will forward your details to the institution. However, you will have to apply directly to NSFAS for funding. Please check the NSFAS website for more information on www.nsfas.org.za

Any requests received after 31 October will not be updated on your application. You will need to contact the institution direct.

10.4 I need residence, what must I do?

You can indicate your residence preference online on our website www.cao.ac.za until the 31st October by clicking 'Update My Details' and follow prompts on screen.

Once you have updated your residence preference, it will immediately be available to institutions. The last day for CAO to update residence requests is 31 October.

After 31st October, contact institutions directly should you have any queries.

10.5 I have been regretted and want to know why?

Specified entry requirements are guidelines used by institutions and each institution sets its own minimum entry requirements for each programme.

Entry requirements published in the Handbook and website are MINIMUM requirements for your application to be considered, and in most cases, the number of applications for a qualification/programme far exceeds the number of places that an institution has available for the qualification/programme. Therefore, while you may meet the published minimum entry requirements, it does not guarantee acceptance.

For further information you may contact the institution directly.

10.6 Why does CAO require my NSC exam timetable?

This document is used by the CAO to match and verify your final results when received from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in the event that the information provided by DBE does not match the information on the application you gave us.

10.7 Why does 'My Application' indicate that I still have results outstanding, but I have submitted all my documents?

The institutions have yet to review your application since you submitted your documents. You may follow up with the institution directly.

10.8 Why does 'My Application' still indicate 'has not met programme ranking criteria' for my first choice even though I did a Change of Mind and re-ranked my programme choices?

The institutions have yet to review your application since you submitted your change of mind. You may follow up with the institution directly.

10.9 Will NSFAS pay for my studies?

If you submitted an application to NSFAS you need to contact them directly regarding funding.

10.10 I received a message that I must upload my statement of results. I thought you get it directly from the department.

We sent you this message as the information we received from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not match the information you gave us on your application.

10.11 What do the different statuses mean?

Waiting for a Decision:	The institution has not yet considered your application
Late Application:	Your application was received after the closing date for the programme. Each institution deals with late applications in different ways. Refer to the institution's prospectus for further info.
Awaiting Results:	The institution is waiting for further results (e.g., June or Trial results) before making a decision on your application.
Conditional Offer:	The institution will accept you provided that you meet the requirements. Where space is limited, these may be higher than the minimum requirements for the programme published in this Handbook. Some programmes may conduct assessment tests at registration. The conditional offer may be withdrawn if you do not indicate that you want to accept the place or if your final results are not as good as your earlier results.
Firm Offer:	You are offered a place by the institution. This may be withdrawn if you do not indicate that you want to accept the place or if your final results are not as good as your earlier results.
Has not Met Programme Ranking Criteria:	You do not meet the institution's specific criteria. Refer to the institution's prospectus for further information. You may complete a Change of Mind Request on which you can change the programme ranking.
Entrance Test and Interview:	The programme has special selection procedures. Institutions should contact you with details of the date, time and venue. You may need to follow up with the institution directly.
Please Supply Academic Record:	The institution requires a copy of your academic record from your current or previous study at tertiary level
Please supply USAf/ SAQA Evaluation:	The institution requires a Universities South Africa (USAf)/SAQA evaluation of the foreign exam results you may have written.
Refer for a decision:	Applicant to contact the institution.
Regret Programme Discontinued:	The institution has decided that they will no longer be offering a programme that was initially listed in this handbook. In some cases, institutions may advise on an alternative programme that you can apply for. Complete a Change of Mind Online at no cost to yourself to replace this programme. Any other changes will attract the change of mind administration fee.
Regret Unsuccessful:	The institution has decided not to offer you a place for whatever reason according to their selection processes.
Short-listed, Standby and Wait-listed:	The institution is considering your application but has not yet decided whether they will be able to offer you a place.
Unsuccessful Following Placement Test/Interview:	The institution has decided not to offer you a place following the entrance test you wrote or the interview you attended. There are also a number of messages the institution can use to tell you that they are unable to offer you a place.

10.12 Institution Contact Details

You can find the institution's contact details on this website. Click on 'Institutions' OR click on the 'Important Notices and News' icon and view the CAO 2027 Entry Handbook pages 228-237

11.1 I cannot log back into my profile; I lost my password.

To reset your password, go to (www.cao.ac.za), and click on 'Login'

Below the Login Box, for a new password to log in and complete your application or Upload Documents, Click 'Here' on screen.

The system will request that you enter your CAO Number and ID Number and Surname exactly as you entered it on your online application. You will also be required to enter a validation code that will be presented to you on screen.

Once the system is able to verify that you have entered the correct details, you will receive your password via email or SMS depending on the option you choose, and communication will be sent to the email address or cell number you indicated on your online application.

If the email address or cell phone number you provided on your application has changed, you will first need to update your details.

To update your details go to our website (www.cao.ac.za), and click on the 'Update My Details' icon and follow the prompts onscreen. You may change your contact details as many times as required, this change is free. Once your details have been updated follow the steps above to receive a temporary password to you.

Once you have logged in, please use the 'Change Password' functionality to set a permanent password as the temporary password is only valid for 24 hours.

11.2 I did not complete my application, my session timed out. What must I do?

To complete your online application, you must:

• Go to our website: www.cao.ac.za
• Click on 'Login'
• Enter your CAO Number and Password and select 'Login'
• Select 'Continue with online application' on the left navigation bar.
• Follow the instructions onscreen and complete ALL the information requested then click 'Next'.
• When you reach 'Process My Application', click on the button once you have checked your information.

YOUR CHANGE OF MIND HAS NOW BEEN SUBMITTED✅

The message on your screen will display that your submission has been successful.

You may now upload your supporting documents and pay online OR via EasyPay

11.3 How do I search for a Programme in a Specific Field?

To check the programmes available in e.g., 'Public Management' go to www.cao.ac.za

• Click on the 'Available Programmes' icon on the homepage.
• Select 'Programme List' on the left navigation bar.
• Type PUBLIC in the 'Programme Name' field.
• Click on 'Submit.

A grid will then be displayed at the bottom of the screen with the various programmes available.

You can click on the numbers below the grid (i.e., 1,2, 3 etc) to view more programmes and if you want to see details about a specific programme, click on the 'Select' option for that programme.

11.4 I keep getting an error message and cannot get past the biographical information page. Why?

Most fields in the online application are compulsory and must be completed.

If the system alerts you of incomplete fields in the online application, please scroll to the top of the page to check if the system identified the field that is missing and enter the information required.

Once you have completed all fields and sections, you will be presented with a 'summary' page showing you all the information you entered. At this point, you must click on the 'Process my Application' button at the bottom of the page.

11.5 I cannot select my subject when entering my results online.

Please try a partial word search for the subject e.g., Math for Mathematics. A refined subject list will be displayed on screen for you to select your subject.

11.6 I cannot enter my results online. What must I do?

Please check that you uploaded your document for the relevant exam type e.g., Final Grade 11 results. Only then will the system present the associated exam type for you to select.