Early career choice vital
requires students to make up to six choices in a mix of programmes and universities.
This means one can make an application for engineering at UKZN, DUT and MUT through one single application form through the CAO application process.
Making the decision about what to put down as first choice, second choice, etc. is equally important as many universities and university departments consider students that have made their programme as the first choice.
A large number of students do not get a seat in a programme, despite meeting the selection criteria because they have not recorded that programme as their first choice in their application form to the CAO.
Hence, be realistic about your academic performance, which university you can access and what programme you can gain access to, so that you can make appropriate choices and the ordering of these choices in your application process.
There are, however, other options for post-school education.
Private higher education and technical and vocational education are available to matriculants.
There is an increasing number of accredited, recognised and registered private higher education institutions that offers quality driven education programmes.
While the costs may be higher than public higher education institutions, registering at a private higher education has its advantages.
However, one needs to be careful in selecting private higher education institutions and the programmes they offer.
All accredited and registered programmes and institutions are listed on the Council for Higher Education database and potential students must refer to the database to ensure the institution is accredited.
Private higher education is a global phenomenon and has been growing substantially to accommodate the increasing demands for access to higher education studies.
Technical and vocational education is equally a growing post-school education that offers programmes directly linked to the skills development.
SKILLS TRAINING
Job opportunities and entrepreneurial opportunities are more possible through technical and vocational education due to the shortage of specific identified skills and these skills are largely developed through skills training at technical and vocational education institutions.
Due to the increasing demand for university studies, not all applicants will obtain a seat in their programme and university of choice. There are, however, other options.
Explore all options available to you and make informed choices.