CAO Online Applications For 2025/2026 January Intake Now Open
If you have been unsuccessful with your application for Jan 2025/2026 you can carry forward your application to Jul 2025/2026/Jan 2025/2026 by downloading and submitting a ‘Change of Mind/Extending Your Application Request’ form & paying a COM fee of R100 by 31 Mar.
CAO Application Fee Structure – 2025/2026 Entry
Application fee (Not refundable)
| APPLICATION FEE | To start studies in January 2025/2026 |
To start studies in July 2025/2026 |
To start studies in July 2025/2026 |
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| Date | SA Citizens | Intl. applicants | Date | SA Citizens | Intl. applicants | Date | SA Citizens | Intl. applicants | |
| If form and fee reach us on or before | 31 Oct 2025/2026 | R 220.00 | R 275.00 | 31 May 2025/2026 | R 200.00 | R 250.00 | 31 May | R 220.00 | R 275.00 |
| If form and fee reach us on or after | 01 Nov 2025/2026 | R 440.00 | R 550.00 | 01 June 2025/2026 | R 400.00 | R 500.00 | 01 June | R 440.00 | R 550.00 |
| APPLICANTS WITH TVET PROGRAMME CHOICES ONLY DO NOT INCUR A LATE APPLICATION FEE |
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| Any request to add, change or renumber programme choices will incur a “change of Mind” Fee of R 110.00 | |||||||||
If we do not receive payment, your application information will not be made available to the institution/s.
If your payment is not honoured, bank and administration charges will be passed on to you.
All monies must be paid in South African Rands (ZAR).
International applicant should ensure that the amount paid covers bank charges.
International cheques are acceptable only if drawn on a South African clearing bank.
People who are citizens of other countries (e.g. Lesotho) must pay the international fee if they do not already have permanent residence in South Africa or refugee or asylum seeker status recognised by the Department of Home Affairs.
Click here to download a copy of the CAO Handbook for entry 2025/2026.
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
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Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
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Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
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Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
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Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
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Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
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Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
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Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.