Delayed university admission results for matrics will pile pressure on institutions

PROSPECTIVE first-year students will only know the outcomes of their university applications after the official release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results to the learners/schools.

Universities South Africa (USAf) said this change was introduced after they were granted access to the 2025 NSC results at 6am on Monday — 24 hours before their public release.

USAf’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Phethiwe Matutu, said the delay in providing USAf, and by extension, universities, with the 2025 NSC results follows a decision by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to minimise the risk of a leak similar to that which occurred with the 2024 results.

Ordinarily, universities would have received the NSC results 72 hours before their public release. This timeframe enabled institutions to finalise admission decisions and issue acceptance letters on the same day learners received their results.

“This facilitated a smooth admissions process and reduced anxiety among prospective university students,” Dr Matutu said.

This shortened time frame will place significant operational and administrative pressure on universities, particularly in relation to the timely and efficient processing and issuance of offers to prospective students.

“Prospective first-time entrants must therefore await their application outcomes directly from universities,” Matutu said.

“This removes the need for students to inundate institutions with enquiries, or to arrive on campuses prematurely, exposing themselves to safety and vulnerability risks at a time during which they cannot be attended to.

“Students must only arrive on campuses after receiving an application outcome, a confirmation of their accommodation status, and after completing their online registration at some institutions.”

Matutu has further urged students to accept their placement offers as soon as they have made their choices.

Likewise, parents, guardians and fee-paying students are encouraged to prepare their registration fee and complete registration as soon as dates are announced, thereby securing their places and ensuring the smooth completion of related administrative processes.

Cape Times