There are other options available

matriculants who have not applied to or registered at universities have other doors open to them.

Professor Kinta Burger, registrar at the University of Johannesburg, said although universities could not accept everybody, school leavers had several options to consider.

“They can try to find work to gain experience which will help with discipline – even if the experience is in a different field,” Burger said.

An increasing number of matriculants were applying late. Some took a gap year because they thought they had no other option.

“School- leavers should know that there are other higher education institutions like further education and training (FET) colleges where they could study for a year, and apply in time at a university for the following year,” said Burger.

Unisa agreed that students should consider enrolling at FET colleges. Spokesman Martin Ramotshela said Unisa supported the notion of a range of accessible alternatives for school leavers.

Ramotshela said FET colleges provided opportunities for matriculants who were unable to enrol at universities.

Unisa had strong partnerships with 12 technical and vocational education and training colleges across the country.

Matriculants who had not yet applied but who wanted to study at Unisa could register for short learning programmes until March.

“Alternatively, they can wait for the applications window for formal qualifications to open again in April, when they can apply to register for the second semester,” Ramotshela said.