Central Application Office CAO Programmes List 2026

CAO Programmes List

The Central Application Office CAO Programmes List 2026, Level of Study, Programme Name, Code, Institution Closing Date, Entry Term, Duration and Minimum Points.

This page gives full information about the programme list available at the Central Application Office (CAO).

NOTE:

An entry in the Handbook/website does not oblige the institution to offer the programme as institutions continually assess their programmes and may decide to discontinue programmes and/or change the minimum entrance requirements during an application cycle.

HOW TO USE THE CAO PROGRAMME LIST 2026:

A. On this Website

1. Click on the “Programme list” option on the left navigation bar

2. Use the filters to search for programmes by institution, exam type, working personality or career direction OR

3. Enter the specific programme name or code if you know it

B. In our Handbook

1. The programme choice list is divided according to career directions.

2. Career directions are divided into two sections.

  • (a) The first with the BLUE heading contains programmes at universities and universities of technology and
  • (b) The second with the ORANGE heading contains programmes at private colleges
  • (c) To find a programme, look up the field of study, for example, Sport Science, in the Index (pages 249 to 252) and then go directly to the page/s specified. Programmes are grouped according to the level of study within each career direction.

The different levels of study are:

  • • Shorter course study
  • • NC(V) study
  • • Nated Certificate & Diploma study (Report 191 Programmes)
  • • Certificate study
  • • Diploma study
  • • Degree study

If you are looking for postgraduate study, consult the institution for courses that are not included on this website or in this Handbook. You will also find some shorter courses and programmes for people who are already working as educators or nurses.

What the Programme list shows you

Programme name

The full name of the programme, for example, B Com Accounting (4 yr).

Colour codes in programme name

Pink: Part-time study

Brown: A new programme awaiting approval from DHET/Senate at the time of this Handbook being published. Contact the institution to confirm if the programme will be offered.

Programme code

The alpha-numeric code contains six characters. It is linked to a specific programme at a specific institutional campus. The first two letters indicate the institution’s name, and the third letter indicates the campus. The last three letters and/or numbers indicate the programme.

See also  Official CAO Handbook 2026 PDF Download

Institution and Campus Codes

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Closing date

Programme closing dates are listed. Take note that many programmes have early closing dates to accommodate interviews and assessment tests. Applications received after the closing dates are processed as ‘late’. Late applications are dealt with differently at each institution (refer to the institutions prospectus for more information). N.B. Health Science programmes at UKZN do not consider applications received after the closing date.

Entry term

The time of year the programme starts.

There are two entry terms:

  • 1 – Entry in the first semester, which starts between January and February
  • 3 – Entry in the second semester, which starts between July and August

Duration

The minimum number of months or years you would have to study. Please note that part-time study takes longer than full-time study.

Minimum points

This is the lowest number of points you can attain to apply for a programme. The points requirements may differ depending on the school leaving examination you wrote. You can calculate your total points from your latest examination results as explained below.

Points Calculation Tables

Below is the system default points calculation in which points are calculated for the top six subjects, excluding Life Orientation.

Institutions may use different variants of this, eg. Some may double the Maths and Science points for Engineering. Institutions may have further requirements for selection; therefore, meeting the minimum points does not necessarily guarantee that you will be offered a place. Please check the notes column in the programme list in this Handbook or institutions prospectus/website for details.Image

Minimum Entry Requirements

The subject combinations and minimum levels or symbols for the different examination types that you need to achieve to be considered for a particular programme.

For a full list of the abbreviations used, refer to the acronyms and abbreviations.. Mature age applicants and those seeking admission on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or foreign qualifications should consult the institution.

NSC/IEB/SACAI

Minimum entry requirements for applicants writing NSC are shaded pink

Matric (Grade 12) achievement to qualify for:

Degree Study

(1) Must obtain at least 40% for Home Language

(2) Must obtain at least 50% for FOUR other subjects excluding Life Orientation

(3) Must obtain at least 30% for ONE other subject

(4) Must obtain at least 30% in Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the Higher Education Institution where you intend studying

(5) Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

See also  CAO Application Status Checker Portal 2025 | cao.ac.za

Where you see NSC Deg as an entry requirement in the Programme Choice List, this means that you must meet the above requirements. If the institution has additional requirements, it will be indicated:

Example: NSC Deg with Maths and Phys Sci 6 and Engl and LO 4 and two subjects 4

This means that in addition to an NSC pass meeting the minimum standard required for entry into degree study, you must have passes in Mathematics and Physical Science at level 6 and English home language, or first additional language and Life Orientation at level 4. Two of the three other subjects must be passed on level 4.

Diploma study

(1) Must obtain at least 40% for Home Language

(2) Must obtain at least 40% for THREE other subjects excluding Life Orientation

(3) Must obtain at least 30% for TWO other subjects

(4) Must obtain at least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the Higher Education Institution where you intend studying

(5) Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

Higher Certificate Study

(1) Must obtain at least 40% in Home Language

(2) Must obtain at least 40% in TWO other subjects

(3) Must obtain at least 30% in FOUR other subjects

(4) Must pass at least 6 out of 7 subjects

Senior Certificate

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have written their Senior Certificate are shaded lemon.

Example: :Matric Exemption with Maths ‘D’ HG/‘A’ SG and Agric Sci or Biol or Phys Sci ‘E’ HG/‘C’ SG

This means that your Senior Certificate or Statement of Symbols must state that you have been granted an endorsement. In addition, you must have passed Mathematics with D on Higher Grade or A on Standard Grade and at least one of Agricultural Science, Biology or Physical Science with E on Higher Grade or C on Standard Grade. If you qualify for an Ordinary Conditional Exemption, you could be considered for programmes specifying ‘Matric Exemption’, provided the other subject requirements are met.

N3/N4

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have studied at a Technical Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) are shaded mint.

Example: :Example: N3 with two main subjects ‘D’ and Grade 12 Engl SG

 

This means that you must have an N3 pass. In addition, you must have passed two subjects with ‘D’ and Grade 12 English on Standard Grade.

NC(V)

Minimum entry requirements for applicants who have written National Certificate (Vocational) are shaded lilac.

Example: NC(V) with two Civil Engineering subjects 5 and Engl and Maths and Phys Sci 4
See also  Central Applications Office CAO Online Application Portal 2026

This means that you must have an NC(V) pass in a relevant learning field. You must have passes in three compulsory vocational subjects at level 5 and English and Maths and Physical Science at level 4.

Other requirements

If there are other entry requirements such as an N Dip, the list will tell you what qualification you must have to enter these programmes. If you do not already have this qualification, you should apply for that programme first.

Foreign qualifications

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

GCE

Five passes in GCE as well as 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” level:

  • • “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.

Applicants from SADC countries who have five passes at ‘O’ level, including English language, may be considered for diploma study.

HIGCSE/IGCSE

Passes in five subjects, four of which must be at HIGCSE level:

  • • HIGCSE passes must be 1, 2 or 3
  • • IGCSE passes must be A, B or C

Applicants who wish to enter degree programmes are required to have passes in English language and one other language, and must usually have also passed Maths.

The Matriculation Board gives details of requirements for those with other qualifications. Applicants should apply for a ‘Foreign’ or ‘Foreign Conditional’ Matric Exemption from the Matriculation Board. Institutions will usually assist with this, or you can consult the Matriculation Board directly.

The Matriculation Board

Those wishing to enter diploma programmes may be required to have their qualifications assessed to confirm that they are equivalent to the South African Senior Certificate. This evaluation is carried out by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority). If you need to contact SAQA, you must ask for the Quality Assurance Department. The cost of an assessment varies, depending on the level of priority. Conditions are on the SAQA website.

SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority)

Postnet Suite 248, Private Bag X06, Waterkloof, 0145

☎ 012 431 5000 Website: www.saqa.org.za• Email: saqainfo@saqa.org.za

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