CACH 2026 Applications

By Thabo · Dec 4, 2025

Central Application Clearing House (CACH) applications are open from the 20th of January 2026 to 31 March 2026 . Students who matriculated from the year 2000 onwards and have not received firm offers from tertiary institutions are eligible to apply.

CACH Opens 2026 Applications

About Central Applications Clearance House (CACH):

CACH is a government online system aimed at helping prospective students gain access to higher learning institutions in South Africa as well as other related opportunities. This online service was designed and introduced by the Department of Higher Education to bridge the gap between high school and tertiary level.

The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) service provides an opportunity to learners who have not yet received a place to study at higher education institutions. The system is helpful in a sense that it saves students from falling prey of scammers and fake higher learning institutions. CACH prides itself by working with legit and registered institutions.

This is how CACH works:

You need to sign up with CACH, your personal details will be required including your ID number. You will be required to state the study choices/courses you want to apply for.
Then CACH shares your information to universities, public colleges and private colleges. If there are courses available that you qualify for you will be offered a space. Basically the CACH system matches your grade 12 results with courses that still have places available.
Your information is also shared to SETA's for available learnerships subject that you qualify.
Where places exist and you meet the requirements, institutions will contact you to offer you an opportunity to study in their institution.
The system will send SMSs or e-mails to those that are made an offer for them to accept or reject the offer. Once the offer has been accepted, Institutions will directly contact those who accepted the offer.
For students who remain unclear about which career to follow, CACH provides referral service to career advice and information through DHET’s Khetha Career Development Service.

Who can apply for CACH in 2026?

The following prospective students can register on the CACH website:

You must have completed Matric in 2000 or later
You must have a National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate
You must be planning to study at a University, University of Technology, TVET college or private college.
Prospective students who were previously rejected in universities and colleges.
Prospective students who have improved their NSC exam results and would like to apply to different institutions.
Matriculants who have not been accepted into a higher education institution

Benefits of using CACH to gain admission in the 2026 academic year:

CACH is a free service.
CACH makes it easy to apply to multiple institutions at once.
CACH increases your chances of being accepted into a higher education institution.
CACH can help you to find a place to study that is close to home or that offers the course that you want to study.
If you have not been accepted into a higher education institution, CACH is a great option to consider. It is a free and easy-to-use service that can help you to find a place to study.

Here's how to apply for CACH online for the 2026 academic year

Applying at CACH is easy, all you need is your cell phone to send through your application.
you can send CACH a text on WhatsApp on this number: 078 776 8660
Again you can email your name, surname, cell number and ID number to [email protected] and the CACH will call you back.

A comprehensive guide to apply online for CACH in 2026:

You can apply online on the CACH website: https://cach.cas.ac.za/
Click on the "Login" button
Click on “LEARNER SIGN-UP” in the green bar
Click on “Sign-Up Online NOW”
Enter your ID number (if you are a South African citizen) or passport number (if you are a foreign student)
You will then be required to fill in your personal details and contact details
Agree to the Terms & Conditions and submit your application
You will get a confirmation that your application has been submitted

CACH Closing Date:

CACH applications for the 2026 academic year close on the 31st of March 2026. Please note that signups after this date will NOT be accepted. If you are still unsure about what you want to study, you can also make use of CACH’s referral service for career advice and information through DHET’s Khetha Career Development Service.

CACH Contact Details:

For any queries related to this study service course, please contact CACH directly:

Tel: 0860 690 722

Operating hours: 08h00 to 16h00

PLEASE NOTE: This service is available from 20 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I check my CACH status?

Check if you have received any offers on the CACH website. You will need to provide your CACH number/ ID number/ passport number to check if you have received any offers

Does CACH really work?

The CACH service aims to match applicants' National Senior Certificate exam results (which is received directly from the Department of Basic Education) and study preferences with places that need to be filled. This service guarantees that applicant data will be made available to all possible institutions in the PSET system. However, they cannot guarantee that you will be offered a place.

Do you pay for CACH?

The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) is a free service provided by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Applicants do not need to pay for application fee when applying for CACH.

Is CACH a bursary?

No, CACH is not a bursary. A bursary is a type of financial aid that is awarded to students to help them cover the costs of their education. CACH is a service that helps matriculants to find places to study, but it does not provide financial assistance.

If you are a CACH applicant and you are looking for financial assistance, you should research the different bursaries that are available. You can find information about bursaries on the websites of the Department of Higher Education and Training, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and various organizations.

Which universities work with CACH?

All 26 public universities work with CACH. This includes:

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Central University of Technology
Durban University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Vaal University of Technology
Nelson Mandela University
North-West University
Sefako Makgatho University
University of South Africa
Sol Plaatje University
Tshwane University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Fort Hare
University of Free State
University of Johannesburg
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Zululand
University of Limpopo
University of Mpumalanga
University of North-West
University of Pretoria
University of South Africa
University of Stellenbosch
University of Venda
Walter Sisulu University
Wits University

Is CACH open for 2026?

CACH applications for 2026 are now open for prospective students who are looking for space in universities, TVET colleges and private colleges. Grab the opportunity and apply now.

Is CACH legit?

Yes, CACH is a legitimate service. It is run by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). CACH has been in operation for over 20 years, and it has helped thousands of matriculants to find places to study. CACH is a free service, and it is easy to use. Matriculants simply need to create an account on the CACH website and submit their NSC exam results. They can then list their study preferences and indicate whether they are willing to relocate.

Which institutions work with CACH?

The following institutions in South Africa work with CACH:

26 Public Universities
50 TVET Colleges
Private Colleges (not all private colleges participate in CACH).

Conclusion:

The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) offers a great opportunity for students who have not yet secured a place at a higher education institution for the 2026 academic year. If you are still looking for space for 2026, don't hesitate to apply through CACH to be placed in universities or colleges that still have space. Best Wishes!

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