CAO Late Application – Fees, Dates & How to Apply

Missing a university application deadline does not have to mean waiting another full year. The Central Applications Office (CAO) offers a late application window for the 2027 academic year, giving students in KwaZulu-Natal a second chance to secure a place at top institutions like UKZN, DUT, MUT, and UNIZULU.

This guide covers everything you need to know from updated fees and key dates to required documents and step-by-step application instructions so you can act fast and apply with confidence.

Any application and fully paid administration fee received ON or BEFORE the advertised closing date receives the status “WAITING FOR A DECISION,” indicating an on-time application that will receive priority consideration by the institution.

Applications received after the closing dates are processed as ‘late’ and are dealt with differently at each institution. Late applicants are only considered if space remains in a program after all on-time applicants have been processed, which means lower priority and no guarantees.

Here are the supporting documents needed for your 2027 CAO application:

• Certified copy of your South African ID document
• Final Grade 11 academic report (if currently in Grade 12)
• Copy of your highest qualification (if you have already completed matric)
• Proof of payment of the application fee

• June Grade 12 report (upload as soon as received)
• September/Trial Grade 12 report (upload immediately upon receipt)
• Non-South African applicants must include a copy of their study or residence permit
• Any additional documents requested by the specific institution

All documents must be certified copies stamped and signed by a commissioner of oaths, certified within the last three months.

Follow these steps to complete your application on the official CAO website:

• Go to www.cao.ac.za and click the ‘Apply’ button

• Read the information provided and click ‘Continue with Application.’
• Enter your South African ID number and click ‘Submit.’
• Fill in all required personal details and click ‘Next.’
• Click ‘Continue with Online Application.’
• Note your CAO number, password, and EasyPay number; these will also be emailed to you
• Follow all instructions and complete each section, clicking ‘Next’ to proceed
• Review your Application Summary on the final screen
• Click ‘Process My Application’ to submit
• Pay the applicable late application fee using your EasyPay number
• Upload all required documents to finalize your application

Milestone	Date
CAO Application Opens	March 1, 2026
On-Time Fee Deadline	October 31, 2026
Late Application Period Begins	November 1, 2026
UKZN General Closing Date	September 30, 2026
UKZN Health Sciences (Medicine)	June 30, 2026

The closing date for each program can be different. For example, B Health Sciences: Diagnostic Radiography has a closing date of 31 August, while B Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science has a closing date of 30 September, both for 2027 entry.

Always verify your programme-specific closing date at the official CAO website: www.cao.ac.za

Applying late comes at a higher cost. Here is the full fee breakdown:

Applicant Type	On-Time Fee (Before Oct 31, 2026)	Late Fee (From Nov 1, 2026)
South African Citizen	R250	R470
International Applicant	R300	R580
Change of Mind Fee	—	R140

Late applications from November 1, 2026, increase to R470 for South African citizens and R580 for international applicants. A “Change of Mind” fee of R140 applies if you submit your application and later want to change your courses.

Applying on time saves South African students up to R220 in fees alone.

After submission, track your application regularly. If you submitted the CAO application late, check your status online. For UKZN applicants, this can be done through the UKZN Student Admissions portal. Respond quickly to any institutional requests for additional documents; delays can cost you a spot.

CAO is running a promotion for 2027. If your completed application and fee reach them by 31 May 2026, you are entered into a draw for a R25,000 bursary. Later deadlines in June, July, and September have smaller prize draws.

The earlier you apply, the better your financial reward opportunity even within the late application window.

Institutions that typically offer late application opportunities include:

• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): Late applications considered subject to available space
• Durban University of Technology (DUT): Late applications via CAO subject to availability
• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): Late application window usually in October/November
• University of Johannesburg (UJ): Late applications often open in November for selected programmes
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT): Limited late applications accepted
• University of the Free State (UFS): Late applications in November for selected programmes

UCT and Stellenbosch explicitly state that late applications are not considered for undergraduate programs. If you miss the 31 July deadline at either institution, you will need to wait until the next application cycle.

Competitive programs are almost never available through late applications. Medicine, engineering, law, veterinary science, and most health science programs fill up during the standard application window. If you are targeting a high-demand qualification, late applications are not a viable backup plan.

• Apply immediately: Early application is strongly recommended to avoid last-minute issues. Submit as soon as possible and monitor CAO updates regularly.
• Choose realistic programmes: Avoid Medicine, Law, and Engineering; focus on programmes with available capacity
• Have all documents certified and ready before you begin the online process
• Double-check program closing dates: Always consult the official CAO website and the relevant university admissions page for the most accurate closing dates for the 2027 intake.
• Apply for NSFAS separately: Your university application does not automatically apply for NSFAS or other financial aid. Complete funding applications during their specific windows.
• Do not change your programme choices unnecessarily: each Change of Mind costs R140

A CAO late application for 2027 is not the ideal route, but it remains a genuine opportunity for students who act quickly and apply strategically. Focus on programs with available space, get your documents in order, pay the correct fee, and stay on top of your application status.