HOW-TO
How to Apply to a University or TVET College
From choosing a course to submitting documents and funding, here is a clear, step-by-step path to applying at a South African university or TVET college.
Quick answer
To apply to a South African university, apply directly on each institution's official website (KZN universities use the central CAO portal), while TVET college applications go through each college's own site or campus. Check the course requirements and your Admission Point Score, apply within the institution's window — many open around April and close mid-year — and submit certified documents. Apply for funding such as NSFAS separately, and always confirm current dates and fees on the official sites.
Key points
- Apply directly on each university's official website; KwaZulu-Natal universities use the central CAO portal (cao.ac.za).
- TVET college applications go through each college's own website or campus, and many are free to apply.
- Check each programme's minimum requirements and your Admission Point Score (APS) before applying.
- Deadlines vary widely — many universities open around April and close between June and October; confirm each one.
- You will typically need a certified ID, your results or statement, and sometimes proof of residence or income.
- Apply for funding like NSFAS separately and early — admission and funding are two different processes.
Step by step
- Choose your course and institutionDecide on a field and shortlist universities or TVET colleges offering it. Universities suit degree study; TVET colleges offer practical NCV, NATED, and skills programmes. Match the choice to your marks, goals, and budget.
- Check requirements and your APSRead each programme's minimum subject requirements and calculate your Admission Point Score from your results. Confirm you meet or are close to the threshold before spending time on an application.
- Confirm the application windowDeadlines differ by institution. Many universities open around April and close between June and October, while TVET colleges often accept applications and walk-ins later. Verify the exact dates on each official site.
- Apply through the correct portalApply directly on each university's official website; KZN universities apply via the CAO portal at cao.ac.za. For TVET colleges, use the individual college's website or apply on campus. Beware of unofficial 'application' middlemen.
- Prepare and upload documentsYou will usually need a certified copy of your ID and your results or Statement of Results. Have certified copies ready and upload clear scans. Pay any application fee through the official portal only.
- Apply for funding separatelyAdmission and funding are separate. If you need financial support, apply for NSFAS or a bursary at the same time — see our NSFAS guide. Do not wait for an admission offer before applying for funding.
- Track your application and respondMonitor your application status on the official portal and respond to offers, document requests, or registration deadlines promptly. A missed reply can cost you a place you have already earned.
Two roads, one goal
After matric, higher education in South Africa splits into two main routes: universities, which offer academic degrees, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, which offer practical, career-focused programmes such as NCV, NATED, and short skills courses. Neither is a lesser option — they serve different goals. A learner set on engineering theory and a learner who wants hands-on artisan training are both making a smart choice, just a different one. Start by being honest about which fits your ambitions, marks, and budget.
Once you know the destination, the process becomes a series of manageable steps rather than an intimidating scramble.
Requirements and your APS
Every programme sets minimum requirements, usually expressed through specific subjects and an Admission Point Score (APS) calculated from your results. Before you invest time in an application, read the requirements and work out your APS so you apply where you have a real chance. If you are still waiting on marks, our guide on how to check your matric results helps you get them quickly and accurately.
Where and when to apply
This is where people trip up, so be precise:
- Universities take applications on their own official websites. The main exception is KwaZulu-Natal, where several universities use the central CAO portal.
- TVET colleges apply through each college’s own website or on campus, and many applications are free.
Deadlines vary widely. Many universities open around April and close between June and October, while TVET colleges often keep portals open later and accept walk-ins. There is no single national closing date, so confirm each institution’s window on its official site and apply early — popular programmes fill fast.
Apply to more than one institution and more than one programme. A single application is a single point of failure; a spread of well-chosen applications is a plan.
Documents and fees
Most applications ask for a certified copy of your ID and your results or Statement of Results, and sometimes proof of residence. Prepare certified copies in advance and upload clear scans. If you do not yet have your certificate, a certified statement is usually accepted — see how to get your statement of results. Pay any application fee only through the official portal, never to a third party promising to ‘guarantee’ a place.
The single most important thing to understand is that admission and funding are two different processes. Being accepted does not fund you, and you should not wait for an offer before seeking money. If you need support, apply for NSFAS or a bursary at the same time as your studies applications. Our guides on how to apply for NSFAS and how to check your NSFAS status walk you through it.
After you apply
Applying is not the end. Track your status on the official portal, respond quickly to offers and document requests, and note registration deadlines. Learners lose hard-won places every year simply by missing an email or a reply-by date. Stay organised, keep your documents ready, and treat each deadline as fixed — because it is.
Not every application ends in a yes, and that is normal rather than a verdict on your future. If your preferred programme is full or your marks fall just short, look at related courses, extended or foundation programmes, and TVET options that can lead to the same career by a different route. Many learners start at a college or in a bridging course and transfer into a degree later with a stronger academic record behind them. Keep an eye on late-application and second-semester intakes too, since places sometimes open when accepted students do not register. The goal is to keep moving forward in the same year rather than pausing for twelve months, and a thoughtful second option today often turns out to be a better fit than the first choice you were set on. Whatever route you take, apply for funding in parallel so money is never the reason a place slips away.
⚠ Stay safe
Fake 'application agents' and lookalike portals promise guaranteed university places or charge to submit free applications. Universities take applications on their own official websites (or the CAO for KZN), and TVET applications are often free. Never pay a middleman for a place, and never enter your ID or banking details on a site you did not reach by typing the official address yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one central portal for all universities?
What is an APS and why does it matter?
When should I apply?
How much does it cost to apply?
Can I apply with only a Statement of Results?
Do I apply for funding at the same time?
Official sources
CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.