CAO HANDBOOK ENTRY 2017
181
2. Institutions' Communication with You
Who makes selection decisions?
Institutions make selection decisions. The CAO does NOT make selection
decisions but provides your information to the institutions.
When are offers made?
Institutions make selection decisions at various times in the year.
How will I know if I have been selected?
If you have given us your email address or cellular 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 shall write to you. Some
institutions may also send you letters or messages informing you of your
offer. Make sure you let us know if you change your contact details by
emailing
or faxing to 086 625 2116.
How do I accept an offer?
You must inform the institution and NOT the CAO 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 the place. This fee will usually count
towards your registration and tuition fees. PLEASE DO NOT pay this money
to the CAO. Consult the institution with regards to the details by how and
when you need to respond and pay by.
How do I decline an offer?
If you have decided not to accept the offer, let the institution know.
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.
How do I apply as 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. The higher education institutions of KwaZulu-Natal welcome
applications from international applicants for their formal degree, diploma
and certificate programmes. Some institutions also offer the opportunity to
study in South Africa for one semester or one year. DUT and UKZN do not
accept international applicants into their access programmes. Applications
to study Medicine at the UKZN are considered ONLY from citizens of
Lesotho and Mauritius 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.
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. To send us a fax from outside South Africa,
use +27 31 268 4422.
