The future for many of the more than 44,000 Eastern Cape matriculants who obtained bachelor’s passes in their 2025 exams may not be at a university. The province’s four universities, and many others across SA, are struggling to keep up with the high demand for places from those who wish to study. A total of 106,561 candidates sat for their 2025 matric exams in the province, with 84.2%, or 89,694, achieving a pass.
Countrywide, more than 656,000 pupils passed, with more than 345,000 candidates obtaining bachelor’s passes. But not all will find university places — there is simply not enough space. Education MEC Fundile Gade this week said the absorption rate in the province’s universities and TVET colleges was around 50,000 places, and some applications would come from outside the province.
The University of Fort Hare’s JP Roodt said UFH had received applications from 35,000 prospective students, and the university had an undergraduate enrolment target of 4,096. “Demand across all qualifications remains high and most undergraduate programmes are currently full,” he said. “Late applications were opened [this week] for selected programmes. “The university is receiving funding confirmations from NSFAS for students entering the university for the first time, and this process is running smoothly.” Walter Sisulu University said while it had received applications from more than 300,000 potential students from across the country and beyond, it had space for just more than 7,400 first-years.
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