CAO Application Deadlines 2027
If you are planning to study at a KwaZulu-Natal university for the 2027 academic year, knowing the CAO application deadlines for 2027 is the most important thing you need to get right. The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for UKZN, DUT, MUT, and UNIZULU through a single portal at www.cao.ac.za. Missing a deadline even by one day means your application is either marked late or not considered at all for certain programmes.
This guide covers every official CAO deadline for 2027, explained clearly so you know exactly when to apply and what happens if you miss the cut-off.
When Did CAO Applications Open for 2027?
The CAO application cycle for the 2027 academic year officially opened on 1 March 2026. This is earlier than most other South African universities, which open on 1 April 2026. The early opening date gives KZN-based applicants more time to prepare and submit before closing dates arrive.
CAO Application Deadlines 2027
One of the most important things to understand about the CAO is that closing dates are not the same for every programme. Each institution and faculty sets its own deadline. The official CAO website confirms this directly: a programme’s closing date depends on the institution and the course you are applying for.
Below are the confirmed closing dates for the 2027 entry cycle:
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
| Programme / College | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine (MBChB) | 30 June 2026 |
| College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science | 30 September 2026 |
| Health Sciences (including Nursing) | 30 September 2026 |
| College of Humanities | 30 September 2026 |
| College of Law and Management Studies | 30 September 2026 |
| Residence applications | 30 September 2026 |
Critical note: UKZN’s Medicine programme closes on 30 June 2026. No late applications are accepted for medicine or health sciences at UKZN. If you miss this date, you cannot apply for 2027 entry.
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
| Programme | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| B Health Science: Diagnostic Radiography | 31 August 2026 |
| B Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science | 30 September 2026 |
| All remaining programmes | 30 September 2026 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
| Programme | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| All programmes | 30 September 2026 |
University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
| Programme | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Education programmes | 30 September 2026 |
| All remaining programmes | 30 September 2026 |
Always verify your specific programme’s closing date in the official CAO 2027 Entry Handbook, available for download at www.cao.ac.za. Individual programme closing dates can differ from the general institutional deadline.
On-Time vs. Late Application
Understanding what happens when you submit before or after the closing date is just as important as knowing the date itself.
On-Time Application: Any application received on or before the advertised closing date along with full payment of the administration fee receives the status “Waiting for a decision”. This means your application is considered on-time and receives priority consideration from your chosen institution.
Late Application: Applications submitted after the closing date receive the status “Late Application / Application Late”. Late applications may still be considered, but they are processed only after all on-time applications have been reviewed. There is no guarantee of admission, and for competitive programmes like medicine, late applications are not accepted at all.
This distinction matters significantly. Submitting even one day after a closing date can move your application from priority consideration to the bottom of the queue.
All Key CAO Deadlines 2027 at a Glance
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 1 March 2026 |
| Bursary Draw Cut-off (R25,000 draw) | 31 May 2026 |
| UKZN Medicine (MBChB) Closes | 30 June 2026 |
| DUT Diagnostic Radiography Closes | 31 August 2026 |
| General Closing Date (Most Programmes) | 30 September 2026 |
| Last Day for On-Time Fee (R250/R300) | 31 October 2026 |
| Late Fee Begins | 1 November 2026 |
| 2027 Academic Year Begins | February 2027 |
Why Missing CAO Application Deadlines 2027 Is a Serious Risk
University application portals across South Africa experience extremely high traffic in the final days before a closing date. Technical issues, slow upload speeds, and payment processing delays are well-documented problems during peak periods, particularly in the last week of September. Submitting your application at least two to three weeks before the closing date significantly reduces this risk.
For competitive programmes like Medicine at UKZN, there is no flexibility at all. The 30 June 2026 deadline is final. There is no late application window for these programmes, which means missing this date means waiting until the next application cycle.
How to Check Programme-Specific Closing Dates
Because individual programmes have different closing dates, applicants must check the CAO 2027 Entry Handbook before submitting. The handbook is available for free download directly from www.cao.ac.za. It lists every available programme by institution, along with its specific closing date and programme code.
You can also track the status of your application at any time by logging in to the CAO portal and clicking “Check My Application“ or by calling the CAO self-help line at 031 268 4444 or 0860 860 226.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
The CAO application deadlines for 2027 range from 30 June to 30 September 2026, depending on your programme. Applying early is the most effective way to secure priority consideration. Always verify your closing date at www.cao.ac.za before submitting.
