Johannesburg – january 30, 2026 – A bachelor’s degree is no longer a guaranteed pathway to university admission in South Africa, a shift that’s forcing students and families to reassess post-secondary options. The tightening criteria reflect a surge in qualified applicants and limited space at universities, prompting a greater emphasis on option pathways like Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
University Access tightens Amid Rising Qualifications
A growing number of students achieving bachelor’s passes are finding university admission increasingly competitive.
- The number of students meeting university entry requirements has increased significantly, exceeding available spaces.
- Universities are now prioritizing applicants based on criteria beyond the bachelor’s pass, including subject performance and additional assessments.
- TVET colleges are being positioned as viable alternatives, offering career-focused training and potential pathways to higher education.
- minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela emphasized the importance of TVETs and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges as valuable options.
- The Department of Higher Education is preparing for the 2026 academic year, focusing on improving the post-school education and training sector.
What exactly is driving this change? The reality is that more students than ever are achieving the academic results needed for university,but the capacity of South African universities hasn’t kept pace. This creates a bottleneck, forcing institutions to become more selective.
Beyond the Pass: New Admission Criteria
Traditionally, a bachelor’s pass-achieving a minimum of 50% in four subjects, including a home language-was considered a golden ticket to university. Though, universities are now implementing stricter criteria, evaluating applicants based on thier performance in specific subjects relevant to their chosen field of study. According to Minister Manamela, a bachelor’s pass “is not a ticket” anymore. The minister addressed the state of the post-school education and training sector on January 22, 2026, as reported by the Government Communication and Data System (GCIS).
This shift is particularly impacting students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to the same resources as their peers, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities in access to higher education. The pressure on the education system was highlighted in reports from both IOL and Moneyweb, which detailed th
