Central Applications Office (C.A.O)

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VISION

The leading organisation that provides services in the facilitation of student access to post-schooling education.

MISSION

To direct the activities and processes of the CAO by the operationalisation of its service to ensure:

  • Appropriate resourcing to provide the structural stability of the required capacity to deal with growth requirements;
  • The provision of a policy framework to guide protocols, processes and consistent practices;
  • The development and maintenance of advanced human capacity for the knowledge sector to sustain and grow its customer base;
  • The building of an effective communication culture with current and prospective customers, while ensuring the same culture exists in the internal team; and
  • The leveraging of existing partnerships to build future relationships to support the growth of the business.
  • Provide the highest ethical standards of service;
  • Be professional, empathetic and sensitive to customer needs and challenges
  • Promote a strong team synergy, mutual support and a friendly atmosphere to work in;
  • Be accessible and resource-driven to meet our customer needs;
  • Facilitate correct information dissemination to our customers, thereby assisting learners to make correct decisions about their careers;
  • Ensure good governance through management support and inclusive participation, accountability and responsiveness to our customers’ needs;
  • Acknowledge the input and relationship with key partnerships in driving the success of post-schooling education; and
  • Instil a climate of passionate employees and encourage internal growth and development among all employees

How To Apply


HELP! Click here for ‘Study Options for Me’ – Enter your CAO number, ID number or Results to see what programmes you may qualify for at our member institutions.

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INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

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 UKZN are consider 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.

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.

Study Permits

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.

Foreign qualifications

The following are considered to be equivalent to the South African degree entry requirements:

GCE:

Five passes in GCE including two at `A` level:

  • “A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E
  • “O” level passes must be A, B or C

Five passes in GCE as well as four at AS levell:

  • “A” level passes must be A, B, C, D or E;
  • “O” level passes must be A, B or C; and
  • “AS” level passes must be A, B, C or D.
  • HIGCSE passes must be 1, 2 or 3
  • IGCSE passes must be A, B or C

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