Funding
NSFAS & Bursaries: Funding Your 2027 Studies
How NSFAS funding works alongside your CPUT application, plus other bursaries worth applying for early.
Read more →2027 Intake · Creating Futures
Apply to Cape Peninsula University of Technology — the Western Cape's only university of technology.
CPUT is the largest university in the Western Cape, spread across five campuses in and around Cape Town. Applications for 2027 are online-only and completely free — here's exactly what you need, and by when.
6Faculties
FreeApplication Fee
31 Aug2026 General Closing Date
About the university
Creating Futures, since 2005
Cape Peninsula University of Technology was formed in 2005 through the merger of the Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon, making it the youngest of South Africa's public universities in name — though its founding institutions date back decades earlier. CPUT is the only university of technology in the Western Cape, and with more than 35,000 students it is also the largest university in the province.
The university is spread across five campuses — Bellville, District Six, Granger Bay, Mowbray and Wellington — and offers more than 70 career-focused diploma and degree programmes designed to lead directly into employment or further study.
Good to know
Unlike most South African universities, CPUT does not charge an application fee at all — applying is completely free, whether you're a South African or international applicant. But CPUT also does not accept manual, posted or emailed applications: the online system is the only route in.
Plan ahead
2027 key application dates
CPUT works to a general closing date with a short late-application window — but several programmes, especially in Health and Wellness Sciences, close earlier. Always confirm your specific programme's date in the online prospectus.
11 MAY 2026
Applications open
The CPUT online application system opens for the 2027 academic year.
31 AUGUST 2026
General closing date
Final date for most undergraduate programmes for South African and international applicants alike.
30 SEPTEMBER 2026
Late applications close
A short late window for SA citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and permanent residents, subject to space. Postgraduate research applications also close on this date.
EARLIER FOR SOME
Selected programmes
Several Health & Wellness Sciences and other competitive programmes close weeks ahead of the general date — check the prospectus before you wait.
Online only, free of charge
How to apply to CPUT
CPUT applications are submitted online only — manual, posted or in-person applications are not processed for national or international applicants.
01
Before you start
- Check your programme's admission requirements in the 2027 online prospectus at prospectus.cput.ac.za.
- Gather a certified copy of your ID or passport and your latest school results.
- Note your programme's exact closing date — some close well before 31 August.
02
Submit online
- Go to the official CPUT online application system on cput.ac.za.
- Register with a personal email address and complete your application details.
- Select up to three programme choices — no application fee is payable.
- Upload your supporting documents and submit before your programme's closing date.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Grade 11 final results, or latest Grade 12 results if you're a current matriculant
- National Senior Certificate interim or predicted results, once available
- English translations of any documents not issued in English
- Supporting documents for international applicants, including proof of English proficiency
Costs
Application fees
South African applicantsFree
International applicantsFree
Programme choices per cycleMax 3
⚠️ CPUT charges no application fee at all, but only accepts applications through its official online system — manual or paper applications are never processed, regardless of the reason.
Where you could study
Faculties at a glance
Faculty
Applied Sciences
Agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental management, food science and marine science across eight departments.
Faculty
Business & Management Sciences
CPUT's largest faculty — accounting, marketing, tourism, retail, public administration and the Cape Town Hotel School.
Faculty
Education
Teacher training programmes based at Mowbray Campus, preparing the next generation of Western Cape educators.
Faculty
Engineering & the Built Environment
Civil, mechanical, electrical and maritime engineering alongside architecture and construction-related studies.
Faculty
Health & Wellness Sciences
Emergency medical care, somatology, opticianry and other allied health programmes, several with earlier closing dates.
Faculty
Informatics & Design
Information technology, graphic design, fashion and film-related programmes based largely at District 6 and Granger Bay.
Five campuses, one city
Where CPUT is based
Bellville
Main administrative campus; Applied Sciences, Business and Engineering.
District Six
Renamed in 2018 in memory of the area's history; Informatics & Design.
Granger Bay
Seafront campus; home to the Cape Town Hotel School and Maritime Engineering.
Mowbray
Home of the Faculty of Education, training the province's teachers.
Wellington
Historic campus offering Applied Sciences, Business and Education courses.
Keep reading
More guides for your application journey
A few extra resources worth going through before and after you apply.
Careers
False Bay Tvet College in South Africa – Courses, Applications & Campuses
Explore TVET courses, applications and admission requirements. Find campuses, courses and application details in one place.
Read more →Study material
Grade 12 Study Guides & Past Exam Papers
Free past papers and study notes to help strengthen your application before final results are released.
Read more →Student life
List of All Colleges in South Africa
Public colleges focused on practical skills and occupational training — electrical engineering, nursing, or hospitality.
Read more →Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do CPUT 2027 applications open and close?
Applications open on Monday, 11 May 2026. The general closing date is 31 August 2026, with a late-application window until 30 September 2026 for South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and permanent residents. Some programmes, especially in Health & Wellness Sciences, close earlier — always check the online prospectus for your specific programme.
How much is the application fee?
CPUT does not charge an application fee at all — applying is free for both South African and international applicants.
Can I submit a paper or manual application?
No. CPUT only accepts applications through its official online system. Manual, posted, emailed or in-person applications are not processed for either national or international applicants.
How many programmes can I apply for?
A maximum of three programme choices per application cycle — it's worth including a realistic backup alongside your first choice.
Where is CPUT located?
CPUT is spread across five campuses in and around Cape Town — Bellville, District Six, Granger Bay, Mowbray and Wellington. It's the only university of technology in the Western Cape and the largest university in the province.
Creating Futures starts with applying.
Get your documents ready and submit your CPUT application — free of charge — before your programme's closing date.
Apply to CPUT Now →