The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) for the 2026 intake will open in January 2026, typically after the official 2025 Matric results are released.
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This free government service is the most important tool for students who have not yet secured a place to study at a university or college. Applications for the CACH 2026 cycle will close on March 31, 2026.
This guide explains what CACH is, who is eligible, and exactly how to use the system to find a space.
What is the Central Application Clearing House (CACH)?
CACH is a free online system managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Its purpose is to help prospective students find available spaces at tertiary institutions after the main application deadlines have passed.
The system bridges the gap between high school and tertiary study. It collects your information and Matric results and shares them with institutions that still have open spaces.
CACH also protects students from scams by working only with legitimate, registered public universities, TVET colleges, and accredited private colleges.
Are You Eligible for CACH?
You can and should use the CACH service if you meet the following requirements:
- You have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Senior Certificate.
- You matriculated in the year 2000 or later.
- You applied to a university or college for 2026 but were not offered a place.
- You did not apply to any institution before the 2025 deadlines.
- You want to study at a public university, TVET college, or a registered private college.
How the CACH System Works
CACH is not a new application portal. It is a central database that matches applicants with open spaces. Institutions use this system to fill their remaining capacity.
This is the process:
- You Sign Up: You register on the CACH portal. You must provide your personal details, ID number, and study preferences.
- Information is Shared: CACH shares your information (including your Matric results, which it gets directly from the Department of Basic Education) with all public universities, TVET colleges, and participating private colleges.
- Institutions Find You: Institutions with open spaces log in to the CACH system, search for applicants who meet their course requirements, and select candidates.
- You Receive an Offer: If an institution selects you, they will make you an offer. CACH sends you an SMS or email with the offer details.
- You Accept or Reject: You must accept or reject the offer within 48 hours (two days). If you do not respond, the offer expires. You may receive up to three different offers.
- Career Guidance: If you are unsure what to study, CACH provides a referral service to DHET’s Khetha Career Development Service for free career advice.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for CACH 2026
The CACH 2026 system opens in January 2026. Once it is live, you can apply using the official online portal.
Online Application (Recommended Method)
- Go to the official CACH website: https://cach.cas.ac.za/
- Look for the “Learner Sign-Up” option.
- Enter your South African ID number or Passport number.
- Fill in all your personal details, contact information (make sure your cell number is correct), and study choices.
- Read and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
- Submit your application. You will receive a confirmation that your application is complete.
Other Application Methods
- Email: You can email your name, surname, cell number, and ID number to the official email address (which will be confirmed for 2026) for a call-back.
- WhatsApp: You may also be able to send a WhatsApp message to the official CACH number (this will be confirmed when the service opens).
How to Check Your CACH Application Status
You do not need to check your status in the same way you check a university application. The process is passive.
If an institution selects you, CACH will contact you via SMS or email with an offer. You can also log in to the CACH website using your ID or passport number at any time to check if you have received any offers.
Which Institutions Work with CACH?
The CACH system is used by all public post-school institutions in South Africa. This gives your information the widest possible exposure.
26 Public Universities
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of Limpopo (UL)
- North-West University (NWU)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Rhodes University (RU)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
- University of Stellenbosch (SUN)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- University of Venda (Univen)
- Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- University of Zululand (UniZulu)
- Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
- University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
50 Public TVET Colleges
All 50 public TVET colleges across all nine provinces use the CACH system to fill spaces in their programs.
Private Colleges
A number of registered and accredited private colleges also use the CACH database to find students. A full list of participating institutions is usually available on the CACH website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does CACH really work?
Yes. CACH successfully places thousands of students each year. The service guarantees that your information will be available to all public institutions. However, it cannot guarantee you will be offered a place. Placement depends on your Matric results and the availability of spaces.
Is CACH a bursary?
No. CACH is a free placement service to help you find a space to study. It does not provide funding. If you need financial aid, you must apply separately to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) or other bursaries.
Is CACH legit?
Yes, CACH is 100% legitimate. It is a government program run by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Is CACH free?
Yes, the CACH service is completely free for all applicants. You will never be asked to pay an application fee.
CACH 2026 Contact Details
You can contact the CACH support team for help during the application period (January 2026 to March 31, 2026).
- Official Website: https://cach.cas.ac.za/
- Phone: 0860 690 722
- Operating Hours: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).