Applying for higher education in South Africa can be challenging, especially with limited spaces and tight deadlines. For many students, securing a spot at a university, college, or technical institution feels overwhelming after receiving Matric results.
This is where the Clearing Applications Office (CAO) can help.
In this article, we look at the CAO, how it works, and the benefits of higher education applications through this platform.
What is the Clearing Applications Office (CAO)?
The Clearing Applications Office (CAO) is a central platform for South African students, primarily those in KwaZulu-Natal, helping them apply to higher education institutions.
CAO simplifies the process by making applications more straightforward for students. Whether you are pursuing a spot at a university, a technical institution, or a college, the CAO allows applicants to explore and register for various programmes in one place.
Several South African universities and schools make use of the CAO, including:
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): A prominent user of the CAO system, receiving the bulk of its undergraduate applications through this platform.
- Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT): These technical universities rely on the CAO for their primary application system.
- University of Zululand (UNIZULU): Another major participant that benefits from the efficiency of CAO operations.
- Several private colleges, such as REGENT Business School, also utilise the platform for accessible applications.
Applying through CAO saves time and provides students with more apparent paths to explore their educational opportunities.
How does CAO work?
The CAO serves as a one-stop platform for multiple applications.
- Single application system: Through www.cao.ac.za, you can create one account to apply to multiple institutions. This eliminates the need for time-consuming, repetitive processes, like uploading the same documents for every application.
- Course selection: You can select up to 12 choices across various universities, colleges, or technical institutions. Whether interested in engineering, business studies, or teaching, all programmes are available to explore.
- Flexible search features: If you’re unsure precisely what to study, the CAO’s search tool allows you to browse programmes by institution or course code, making finding options suited to your interests and academic profile easier.
- Application adjustment: You can edit and update programme preferences as needed before finalising your application. This is useful for changes of heart or when new courses open up.
- Efficient payments: After submission, applicants pay a single administration fee. For example, South African citizens’ fees are R250 and international students’ fees are R300.
This efficient process is especially valuable during matric result releases, when thousands of students may scramble for available spaces.
Who can use the CAO services?
CAO applications are tailored to help students explore their academic options, ensuring they have access to valuable opportunities without unnecessary stress.
But exactly who is eligible to utilise these services? Let us break it down.
High school learners
High school learners, particularly those in Grade 12 or who have just completed their Matric exams, form the largest group turning to the CAO.
Whether attending public schools, private schools, or institutions under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) or South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) standards, these students can use the CAO platform.
- If you are in your final year of school and planning to apply to a university, college, or technical institution, the CAO service is for you.
- Grade 11 results are often required during application, so starting early can be beneficial.
- The CAO benefits students who are unsure about which institution to choose, offering a wide range of programmes in one centralised system.
Post-year students
- Gap year students: If you’ve taken a year off after school, the CAO is a practical way to apply for new opportunities.
- Upgraders: If you have worked on upgrading your Matric results, the CAO can help you access programmes suited to your improved academic profile.
International students planning to study in KZN
International students aspiring to study in KwaZulu-Natal can also apply through the CAO. However, specific requirements may vary based on the institution and the applicant’s country of origin, so proper documentation is vital.
- Key documents include your passport, academic transcripts equivalent to local qualifications, and English proficiency test results where needed.
What are the benefits of using the CAO?
By centralising the application process for universities, colleges, and technical institutions in KwaZulu-Natal (and select others), the CAO offers more than just administrative convenience—it bridges the gap between ambition and accessibility.
Here are the key benefits of using the CAO to take the next step in your educational journey.
- Simple and time-saving process: You no longer have to submit separate applications for different institutions and programmes. Instead, you have one account for everything, and certified copies of transcripts, ID documents, and other requirements only need to be uploaded once.
- Cost efficiency: Applicants pay one consolidated fee rather than multiple fees for each institution. For example, the cost for South African citizens applying via CAO is significantly more affordable than submitting applications independently.
- Access to comprehensive information: The Clearing Applications Office platform allows students to browse different courses based on their interests. The platform also provides programme information, including tuition fees, expected career paths, and more.
- Inclusive and flexible for all applicants: Besides Grade 12 learners, post-school applicants, mature students, and even international students wanting to study in KwaZulu-Natal can use the CAO’s services.
- Second chances: Even if your initial applications were unsuccessful, the CAO platform lets you explore openings at other institutions, ensuring more opportunities are available as spaces emerge.
FAQ
Is there a cost associated with using the CAO?
Yes, a fee is associated with submitting your application through the CAO, but it is designed to be more affordable than applying to multiple institutions individually.
For South African citizens, applications submitted before the deadline incur a standard fee of R250, while international applicants are charged R300.
Missed application deadlines increase the fee to R470 for South African students and R580 for international candidates for late applications.
Can the CAO help me apply to university after the deadline?
The CAO is an excellent option for students who missed initial application deadlines, as it allows for late submissions.
Late applications typically remain open until institutions finalise their admission processes and the platform is updated to reflect courses still accepting applications. Students applying after the deadline are required to pay a late administration fee.
What are my chances of getting accepted through a late application?
Late applications lower the probability of securing a spot because institutions allocate places as soon as the main application period closes. With that said, your chances depend primarily on three factors:
- Availability of spaces
- Your academic profile
- Diversity of selections (i.e., applying to multiple programmes can increase your chances)
Study with REGENT
The CAO platform offers an excellent opportunity for students to apply to multiple universities and private higher education schools in one place.
Considering business studies? Have a look at REGENT’s different programmes, including higher certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
