The CAO closing date in South Africa for first semester programmes is 31 October for the 2025 entry year. The CAO closing date in South Africa for second semester programmes is 31 May for the 2025 entry year. The CAO closing date are as follows:
• Medicine: 30 June: No late applications are accepted.
• All other programs: 30 September.
The 2025 CAO Application form is now closed.The late closing date was 17:00 on the 1st May.The normal closing date was 17:00 on the 1st February.
An Exceptional Late Application facility opens on 5th July at 12:00 noon. This facility applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1st May in any year in any one of the participating Higher Education Institutions. The closing date for Exceptional Late Applications is 22nd July at 17:00.
| 5th November 2021 (12:00) | CAO online application facility opens. CAO Change of Course choices facility opens |
| 20th January 2025 (17:00) | Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30. |
| 1st February (17:00) | Normal closing date for applications. |
| 4th February (12:00) | Online facility to amend course choices becomes available (€10 Fee) |
| Before 15th February | Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| Test Window: 18th-21st February | HPAT Test – Undergraduate Entry to Medicine |
| 1st March (17:00) | Closing date for amending course choices Closing date for completion of mature section of application form Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms |
| Test Window: 5th-9th March | MSAP online exam – For mature applicants to certain courses in UCD, UCC, UL and NUI Galway |
| 4th March (12:00) | Late application facility opens. |
| 15th March (17:00) | Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO |
| Test window: 18th-23rd March | GAMSAT Test – Graduate Entry to Medicine |
| Registration window: 11th-26th April (13:00) | Mature Nursing Test – register for the tests at www.nmbi.ie from 13:00 on Monday, 11th April until 13:00 on Tuesday, 26th April 2025 |
| Test window: 5th-12th May (13:00) | Mature Nursing Test – you must complete the assessment tests between 13:00 on Thursday, 5th May and 13:00 on Thursday, 12th May 2025 |
| 1st May (17:00) | Closing date for late applications |
| 5th May (12:00) | Online Change of Mind facility becomes available (Free) |
| Before 15th May | Late Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| Before End of May | Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants (Contact CAO if you do not receive it) |
| 1st July (17:00) | Change of Mind closes |
| TBC (10:00) | Round A offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicants – applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text |
| TBC (15:00) | Round A acceptances closing date. |
| 22nd July (17:00) | Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a participating HEI |
| TBC (10:00) | Round 0 offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicant – applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 0 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | Current year Leaving Certificate results issued |
| TBC (14:00) | Round 1 offers available from 14:00 online – also issued by e-mail and SMS text. Applicants who have not received an offer will receive a `Statement of Application` e-mail. |
| TBC (12:00) | Available Place facility opens |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 1 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC (10:00) | Round 2 offers available online. |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 2 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC (10:00) | Round 3 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 3 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC (10:00) | Round 4 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 4 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC (10:00) | Round 5 offers available online – applicants will also receive an offer notification by e-mail and SMS text. |
| TBC (15:00) | Round 5 acceptances closing date. |
| TBC | HEIs begin registration |
| TBC | Results of Leaving Certificate appeals released |
| TBC | Offer Season Ends. |
| 5th November 2025 | CAO application facility opens for 2025 applications |
However, it is important to note that some programmes may have earlier closing dates, so it is always best to check with the CAO or the institution you are applying to.
Please note that the above dates are for applications and the fully paid administration fee. Late applications will be accepted, but a late administration fee will be charged.