The Department of Higher Education and Training has cautioned that achieving a Bachelor’s pass in matric does not automatically secure a place at a university, urging prospective students to consider a wider range of options within the post-school education and training (PSET) system.
The warning comes as universities across the country face severe capacity constraints and an overwhelming number of applications for the 2026 academic year.
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Universities Under Pressure
Institutions of higher learning have been inundated with applications, far exceeding the number of available spaces.
As a result, many learners who technically qualify for university entrance may still be unsuccessful due to competitive selection criteria.
UKZN Professor Labby Ramrathan said the growing gap between eligibility and actual admission remains a major challenge.
“The big challenge is that there’s an increasing number of learners who are obtaining passes that qualify them to enter higher education, but not necessarily be accepted into higher education,” Ramrathan said.
“There are selection criteria that privilege those who are performing better than others.”
Call for Broader Education Pathways
The department is encouraging learners and parents to adopt a more diverse and flexible approach to post-school education, including TVET colleges, universities of technology, and skills-based programmes.
Officials emphasised that the PSET system offers multiple pathways that can still lead to meaningful careers, even if traditional university admission is not immediately secured.
Advice to Prospective Students
Prospective students are advised to:
- Apply to multiple institutions
- Consider alternative qualifications and training programmes
- Seek guidance from career counsellors and education advisors
The department stressed that early planning and openness to different educational routes can improve opportunities and reduce the stress associated with the competitive university application process.
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