You apply to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) online, and there is no application fee. According to CPUT, its undergraduate application cycle runs from about May to September each year, with some programmes closing as early as July. It does not process paper applications, and it does not open undergraduate applications for the second semester.
Closing dates for 2027
- Most certificates, diplomas and degrees: 30 September 2026 for South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees, and 31 August 2026 for other applicants
- Bachelor of Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Diagnostic Radiography, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy: 30 June 2026
- Higher Certificate in Dental Assisting: 30 June 2026
- Emergency Medical Care, Opticianry and Somatology: 31 July 2026
- BEd programmes, Grade R and Early Childhood Care and Education diplomas: 31 August 2026
Step 1: Choose a qualification
Use the 2027 undergraduate prospectus and the online prospectus to choose up to three programmes. The online prospectus shows the subjects, admission requirements and estimated cost of each programme. See the CPUT admission requirements page for how the APS methods work.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
CPUT publishes a detailed list of the documents required for each category of applicant. Prepare and save them before you start. If you are under 18, you also need a minor declaration form.
Step 3: Apply online
You need an email address and a cellphone number to apply. Enter your full names exactly as they appear on your ID or passport. If you lose your connection, you can resume your application with your ID or passport number. CPUT offers a step-by-step application guide for first-time applicants.
After you apply
You receive an application verification email for each programme. Check your junk folder if it does not arrive. CPUT does not post or email the outcome, so you must track your application status online, where you can download your official outcome letter.
Keep your details current
If your address or cellphone number changes after you apply, update it on CPUT's SOS system. CPUT says that keeping your contact details current is your own responsibility, because it uses them for all communication about your application.
A fourth choice
A fourth-choice option opens during the registration cycle, but only where faculties have programmes with space left. CPUT publishes this process on its website when it applies.
Applying again
If CPUT did not accept you before, you must submit a new application in each cycle. Even if you were accepted before but did not register, a new application is not guaranteed a place.
Residence and funding
Apply for residence separately, and apply for NSFAS on its own dates. Read about upfront payments on the CPUT fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CPUT charge an application fee?
No. There is no fee for the online application.
How many programmes can I apply for at CPUT?
You can apply for up to three programmes in one application cycle.
When do CPUT applications close?
For 2027, most programmes closed on 30 September 2026 for South Africans, and some health programmes closed on 30 June 2026.