Placement availability concerns for students at public universities

The University of the Western Cape says it has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of student enrollment applications received. Last year, the university received 120,000 first-year entry applications for the 2025 academic year but, in consultation with the Department of Higher Education, only 4,750 first-year entry places are available.

At the same time, the University of Cape Town says it received a total of 98,844 applications from prospective first-year students for the 2025 academic year. For the 2024 academic year, UCT received 92 841 applications for admission at first-year level.

The university has however clarified that this is the number of applications, and not the number of applicants (individual students), as prospective students can apply for more than one programme.

Following the release of the 2024 matric results last week, many have voiced their concerns about the number of spaces available for students who wish to continue their studies at public higher education institutions.

During her speech at the results announcement ceremony, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube noted that the matric class of 2024 achieved the highest ever matric pass rate with 87,3%. Additionally, 47.8% of the candidates qualified for admission to Bachelor studies at a university level.

This is a significant improvement from last year’s 40.9% and represents the highest number of Bachelor passes in recent history.

“In 2014, we produced 150 752 Bachelor passes. In just a decade this number has more than doubled in 2024 to 337 158 Bachelor passes.”

During a media briefing to assess the Department of Higher Education and Training’s state of readiness for the 2025 academic year, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said while she acknowledges the overwhelming performance of the 2024 Grade 12 pass rate and the competitive process of securing learning spaces, she envisage a smooth registration process.

“It is this bachelor’s admission pass that is a prerequisite to apply for access to a degree course at a university or university of technology. It is now our turn to welcome the Grade 12 class of 2024 to the Post-School Education and Training environment” added Dr Nkabane

During engagement, Nkabane referenced Section 29 of the Constitution which says that everyone has the right to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible.

“It is important that no deserving learner is left behind.”

But, according to South African Qualifications Authority Board member and Managing Director at IIE Rosebank College, Dr Linda Meyer, most universities have already met their capacity intake for the academic year.

Speaking to SABC news, Meyer urged students to look into private higher education institutions as well as most public universities have already reached their capacity.

“When we speak about the 337,000 students that have matriculated and that theirs only 202,000 spaces – these are bachelor passes. So it excludes the diploma and the higher certificate graduates”

According to Meyer, when taking into account the demand of all students who passed, the real total is well over 500,000 students seeking higher education.

As thousands of students are still awaiting the outcome of their university applications, UWC has made it clear that walk-in applications are not allowed. The academic year commences on 10 February, after a week of welcoming and orientation for first-year students.