FAQ: Application Related Queries
FAQ: Application Related Queries
General
The application cycle for undergraduate programmes opens annually from approximately May to September, with some programmes closing as early as July. Full research postgraduate applications are open until approximately March of the next year. Please visit the CPUT website at www.cput.ac.za closer to the time to ascertain the exact dates. CPUT does not open applications for the second semester. Please apply via the online portal as manual applications (paper-based applications) will not be processed. This is applicable to both national and international applicants. Please visit the CPUT website for more information via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply and follow the steps outlined on the lefthand pane. There are no fees payable for the online application. All quotations for student fees can be made to the Student Finance Office as indicated below: Please visit the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/funding for information relating to financial aid. Applicants may apply for a maximum of three programmes in a particular application cycle. Detailed information outlining the application process is available via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply. Please refer to the detailed information on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents. A list of programmes which includes the campus of offering is available on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply. Please follow the links on the lefthand pane to access all the application related information. CPUT does not offer distance learning programmes. Blended teaching and learning i.e. face-to-face and/or online engagements will be faculty/programme specific, and students will be informed accordingly by the respective departments. Yes, you are required to submit a new application for each application cycle. Please visit the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply for all the application related information. There is no guarantee that your application will be accepted again as selections are based on and impacted by several factors. An email address and cell phone number must be captured to ensure that you receive communication from the institution. Please create an email address via www.gmail.com before commencing with the CPUT online application (if you do not have one) and load your most recent cell phone number. CPUT will not be held liable if you do not receive communication and it is thus imperative that you ensure that the information is always up to date. Online application guides are available for ALL categories of applications. Kindly visit the CPUT website for more information via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-4-online-application or contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767. Alternatively, please contact the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Log in via http://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply if you have already started an online application with CPUT and indicate as below: Do you already have a student number? – select NO Returning to complete application – select YES Enter your ID NUMBER or PASSPORT NUMBER Click on the RESUME Application button Please enter your full name(s) as they appear in your identity document/identity card/passport. You may either use the online calendar in the field or manually enter your DOB (e.g. 16-SEP-1991); please do not enter your DOB without dashes (-) e.g. 16 SEP 1991. Submit your request for biographical changes, together with a certified copy of your identity document/identity card/passport (certification not older than three months) to the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Please note that you can update this information on the SOS system via http://www.cput.ac.za/SOS. It is important to note that it remains the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the latest contact details are captured, especially the most recent cell phone number as CPUT will not be held liable if you do not receive communication. Access the CPUT website page via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents and follow the instructions on this page. Applicants who require assistance can contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767. Please refer to the detailed information on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents. Applicants will receive an Application Verification email confirming the application made for the respective programme. Please check your junk e-mail folder for possible e-mail notifications. Application confirmation may also be checked via http://www.cput.ac.za/study/track. Applicants who require assistance can contact the Call Centre on 086 123 2788 or 021 959 6767. The fourth-choice application option is available during the registration cycle and only where faculties have identified programmes with available spaces. The fourth-choice application process (where applicable) will be published on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/late-applications. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee placement in the respective programme(s) as acceptance is based on and impacted by several factors. Applicants must regularly track the status/outcome of their application(s) via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/track as CPUT does not post or email the outcome to applicants; the official letter confirming the outcome is available for download on this link.
What are the application timelines for CPUT?
Does CPUT offer a second semester application intake for the undergraduate programmes?
Are applications done online or can I submit an application form at one of the CPUT campuses?
How much is the application fee?
How much are the fees per programme for 2025?
Does CPUT offer financial aid?
Can I apply for more than one programme?
Am I allowed to apply if I am not 18 years old at the time of application? How do I submit the minor declaration form and proceed with the online application if I am not 18 years old?
How do I know at which campus a programme is offered?
Are classes offered via distance learning?
Are classes offered online?
Do I need to apply again if I have previously applied and was not accepted?
I applied last year, was accepted but did not register. Will I automatically be accepted if I apply for the next application cycle?
Can I apply online without an e-mail and/or cell phone number?
I am struggling with the online application process. Where can I view the Application Guide? Who can I contact for assistance?
How do I return to the wizard to complete my online application if I lost my internet connection before submitting my application?
Can I enter my nickname, or should I enter my full names whilst completing my application?
How do I enter my Date of Birth (DOB) whilst completing my application?
How do I change my name and/or surname if incorrectly captured after I submitted my application?
Who do I contact to change my address or cell phone number after I submitted my application?
How do I submit supporting documents not uploaded during the online application process? I was disconnected on the page for uploading of documents, how do I complete the application?
Who do I contact should I need assistance with selecting the correct matric type (School leaving type)? Who do I contact if a matric subject is not listed?
How do I upload my supporting documents during/after the completion of my online application? Can I upload a .pdf / .jpg / .tiff / .exe file? Can I upload an excel sheet or word document?
Will I get an e-mail notification as evidence of the submission of the online application? How will I know that my application was submitted online? I have submitted my application online but did not receive my e-mail notification?
I have applied for three programmes for the 2025 academic year, how do I add a fourth application?
I meet the minimum entrance requires of the programme; will I automatically be accepted?
I have completed my application, what is the next step? How will I know if CPUT has accepted my application?
Documents and Upgraded/Remark Results
National students – The final results as published by the Department of Basic Education and Training is available to CPUT. However, you may be contacted by staff from the respective faculty to submit a certified copy (certification not older than three months) of your final results if there is a need. International students – Please submit the required documentation as outlined in the 2026 Registration Booklet available via https://www.cput.ac.za/students/about/registration. Please refer to the detailed information available via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents and https://www.cput.ac.za/study/international-applicants and https://www.cput.ac.za/study/international-applicants/admission-requirements. Detailed information is available via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-2-gather-your-documents-or-upload-further-outstanding-documents. The status change is not an automated process. Please inform the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC) after you have uploaded; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Please contact the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC) for assistance; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. You will not be able to update the results. Please submit a certified copy (certification not older than 3 months) of your upgraded results to the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. You will not be able to update the results. Please submit a certified copy (certification not older than 3 months) of your upgraded results to the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries.
I have received my final 2024 NSC results. Do I need to submit these results to CPUT?
Which documents are required for international applications?
Where can I check for programme specific additional required documents?
My status shows “outstanding documents”. I have uploaded the relevant documentation, but my status has not changed and still reflects “outstanding documents”?
When I applied, I indicated that I am currently in the process of upgrading subject(s) and uploaded the proof thereof, but my application was rejected. Will I be reconsidered with my new upgraded results?
I upgraded my Grade 12 results and received the final outcome, but the upgraded results do not reflect on SOS under School Leaving Certificate Subjects. How do I update my School Leaving Certificate results?
I applied for a remark of my final Grade 12 subject(s) and received the final outcome, but these results do not reflect on the system. How do I update the results?
Status Description/Follow-Up
This status confirms that your application was received by CPUT. Applicants need not visit the campus to follow-up on the status/outcome of their application as they can track this information via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/track. CPUT does not post or email the outcome to applicants and the official letter confirming the outcome is available for download on this link. You have not fully completed the online application and your application will thus not be evaluated. Applicants need not visit the campus to follow-up as they can directly contact the respective staff member via email at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Your application has been allocated to a particular batch by the Application and Registration Centre (ARC) and the batch has been released to the respective faculty for evaluation purposes. Applicants need not visit the campus to follow-up on the status/outcome of their application as they can track this information via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/track. CPUT does not post or email the outcome to applicants and the official letter confirming the outcome is available for download on this link. You have applied for the mainstream programme of a qualification, but the selectors have referred you to the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) of this qualification. For example, you have applied to the Diploma in Humanity, but you were referred for consideration to the Diploma in Humanity ECP as your results are more suited to the admission requirements of the ECP programme. Applicants who register for the ECP programme will complete the Diploma programme over four-years. Please contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 or the respective staff member at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC) should you require more information; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries should you require further information in this regard. Provisional acceptance indicates that you have not been fully accepted into the programme and will only be considered for full acceptance once the 2025 NSC results have been released. Applicants must regularly track their application status via http://www.cput.ac.za/study/track to ascertain the outcome of their application. Applicants who are accepted will be notified via SMS and must register within 48 hours as their space will be allocated to the next deserving applicant if they do not register within this timeframe. The 48-hour rule will only be applicable as of Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Please contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 should you wish to query your allocated status. Alternatively, contact the respective faculty office staff member; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Your application has been placed on a Waiting List due to space availability in the programme you have applied to i.e. the programme has reached full capacity. Waiting list applicants will be considered on one of the following basis: (1) should space become available in the programme before the end of this year (2) after the NSC results have been released in January 2026 and space becomes available (3) after the registration period in February 2026 and there is still space available in the programme. Applicants need not visit the campus to follow-up on the status/outcome of their application as they can regularly track this information via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/track once the registration has commenced on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Applicants who are accepted will be notified via SMS and must register within 48 hours as their space will be allocated to the next deserving applicant if they do not register within this timeframe. The 48-hour rule will only be applicable as of Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Please contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 should you wish to query your allocated status. Alternatively, contact the respective faculty office staff member; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. The 2026 Registration Booklet, indicating the online registration dates in the new year will be published on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/students/about/registration. Download the registration booklet once published and read the step-by-step instructions. Please contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 should you have further queries in this regard. Your application was regrettably declined on one of the following basis: (1) academic symbols (marks obtained) do not meet the minimum entrance requirements (2) academic subjects are not the required subjects for the programme (3) acceptance has been based on academic performance and/or university policy consideration, or (4) declined based on merit or space availability. Please contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 should you wish to query your allocated status. Alternatively, contact the respective faculty office staff member; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. The outcome of selections is final. However, should you wish to appeal the allocated outcome you may submit a motivation including the reasons for the appeal and provide supporting documents e.g. proof of results to the respective faculty office staff member; detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries or contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767.
My status shows “Acknowledgement of Application”, what does this mean?
My status shows “Online Incomplete”, what does this mean?
My status shows “Application being Processed”, what does this mean?
My status shows “Alternative Selection Outcome”, what does this mean?
I have been “Provisionally Accepted”, what does this mean?
I have been “Waitlisted – Space Availability”. What does this mean and when will I know if I am accepted or not?
I have been “Accepted”, what is the next step?
My application was “Not Accepted”. Why?
I meet all the requirements for the programme I have applied to but my application was not accepted. How can my application be re-considered?
Late Applications
Should any space become available in programmes, such will be published on the CPUT website.
International Applications
Manual applications will not be processed. Application must be made via the online portal and all certified documents (certification not older than three months) must be uploaded via the same portal. Applicants must forward their queries via email to the respective staff member dealing with international applications at the Application and Registration Centre (ARC); detailed contact information is outlined on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/enquiries. Please include the following relevant information in the communication: your full name(s), surname, passport number and qualification(s) applied for. Only applicants that have been Fully Accepted or Provisionally Accepted may submit such a request, steps below: A response will be communicated within approximately 7 days to the email address that was provided.
I am an international applicant and sent my application via post to CPUT. I have not heard anything from the institution about the outcome of my application. What do I do?
I have applied to the institution but require a letter to obtain a study visa. What do I do?
Transferring Students
Transfer students apply during the same application timeframe as all other applicants and as per the application procedure outlined via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply. Transfer students must upload certified copies (certification not older than three months) of their final Grade 12 results, Identity Document, Statement of Results/Academic Record and a Letter of Good Conduct from the previous institution, addressed to the respective faculty. Transfer students apply as first-year students and if accepted for the respective programme, register as first-year students. The application for exemptions/recognitions must be made immediately after registration and first-year classes must be attended until the conclusion of the exemptions/recognitions process. Registration to higher level subjects will only be allowed on the approval of the exemptions/recognitions application; this process is outlined in the 2025 Registration Booklet available for download via https://www.cput.ac.za/students/about/registration.
I am a transfer student and would like to continue my studies at CPUT. What do I do?
I am a transfer student but can only select Study Period 1 and not Study Period 2 or 3 when applying to CPUT?
Programme Related Information
A Diploma is on an NQF Level 6 An Advanced Diploma is a Diploma on an NQF Level 7 No. You are not eligible to apply for an Advanced Diploma. A 360 credit Diploma or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 6. Please note that each programme may have additional course specific minimum entrance requirements. A 360 credit Diploma or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 6 is required. Please note that each programme may have additional course specific minimum entrance requirements. Please refer to the online CPUT Undergraduate prospectus available on the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply. Advanced Diploma admission requirements are displayed under the specific Faculty CPUT website prospectus available via
https://www.cput.ac.za/academic. Select the respective Faculty and the relevant Diploma/Degree. The admission requirements for Postgraduate studies are available via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/postgraduate-applications.
What is the NQF level of a Diploma?
Is an Advanced Diploma equivalent to a degree?
My highest qualification is my Final Grade 12 results. Can I apply towards an Advanced Diploma?
What are the minimum entrance requirements for an Advanced Diploma?
Can I apply for an Advanced Diploma with my N-Level Diploma obtained from a TVET College?
Where can I find the CPUT admission requirements for first time undergraduate studies? What is the minimum School Leaving Certificate requirements for undergraduate, first year applicants? How do I know that I meet the CPUT admission requirements? For which programmes can I apply with my NC/NCV results?
Where can I find the CPUT admission requirements for Advanced Diploma programmes?
Where can I find the CPUT admission requirements for Postgraduate programmes?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL provides an opportunity for you to identify your learning, have it assessed and formally acknowledged. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. Detailed information regarding RPL and the RPL application process is available via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/rpl. Please visit the CPUT website via https://www.cput.ac.za/study/apply/step-4-online-application or contact the Call Centre on 021 959 6767 should you require further information in this regard.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
Where can I obtain information regarding RPL? Can I still apply for RPL? Can I apply online for RPL? Which documents are required for RPL applications?
Where can I view the Online Application Guide for RPL Applicants?