What can I study after matric in South Africa?
South Africa has nine main after school routes. 26 public universities run Bachelor's degrees through to PhDs, and 6 Universities of Technology run industry-aligned diplomas. 50 public TVET colleges deliver vocational training and trades, while 9 provincial CET colleges serve adults and second chance learners through AET.
DHET registered private colleges offer accredited degrees and diplomas, and distance learning (UNISA, Lyceum) suits working students. Learnerships and apprenticeships through SETAs let you earn while you learn, and a structured gap year is also a valid choice.
Funding (NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, SETA bursaries) and admission tests (NBT) sit on top of all of these.
The nine after school routes, compared
Each route is regulated, accredited and leads to a recognised qualification.
Public universities
26 public universities (incl. 6 universities of technology). Bachelor's, diplomas, postgraduate. Quality assured by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
- Examples
- UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UJ, UKZN, NMU, NWU, Rhodes...
- Best for
- Bachelor's degrees and academic / research-track careers.
Universities of Technology (UoTs)
Six public UoTs offering practical, industry-aligned diplomas, advanced diplomas and degrees. Strong focus on workplace-integrated learning.
- Examples
- CPUT, DUT, TUT, VUT, MUT, CUT (and the joint-mode MUT/SMU).
- Best for
- Engineering, IT, hospitality, fashion, health science technicians.
Public TVET colleges
50 public TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges across SA, offering NCV (National Certificate Vocational), NATED N1 to N6, and Occupational Programmes. Funded by NSFAS.
- Examples
- False Bay, Boland, Northlink, Tshwane North, Ekurhuleni West, Gert Sibande, Buffalo City, Goldfields...
- Best for
- Trades and artisanal careers (boilermaker, electrician, IT support, hospitality, business administration). Lower APS thresholds.
Community Education and Training (CET) colleges
Nine public CET colleges offering second chance learning for adults and out of school youth. Programmes include AET (Adult Education and Training, formerly ABET), General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), and skills programmes.
- Examples
- One CET college per province, with 3 200+ Community Learning Centres nationwide.
- Best for
- Adults completing matric or basic education, second chance learners, skills upgrading.
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Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
DHET registered private colleges and universities offering accredited qualifications equivalent to public ones. Check the official DHET register for exact details before paying any fee.
- Examples
- The IIE (Varsity College, Rosebank, Vega), Eduvos, Boston City Campus, Damelin, Lyceum, Milpark, AROS, AFDA.
- Best for
- Smaller class sizes, flexible intake dates, niche fields (film, design, theology, IT bootcamps).
Distance and online learning
UNISA is the largest open distance e-learning university in Africa. Several private institutions also offer fully online degrees and diplomas. Useful if you work, can't relocate, or need a flexible schedule.
- Examples
- UNISA, Lyceum College, MANCOSA, Regenesys, IIE Distance.
- Best for
- Working students, second time studiers, part time learners.
Learnerships and apprenticeships
Earn while you learn. Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) facilitate learnerships (combine theory + workplace) and apprenticeships (artisan trades). Trade test conducted by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB).
- Examples
- 21 SETAs incl. AGRISETA, BANKSETA, CETA, CHIETA, ETDP, EWSETA, MERSETA, MICT, FoodBev, INSETA.
- Best for
- Practical learners who want a salary while studying. Trades like electrician, plumber, fitter and turner, boilermaker.
Gap year, work and volunteering
A structured gap year can sharpen your direction. Options include local volunteer programmes, au-pair work, internships, or a year abroad. Many universities accept deferred entry.
- Examples
- Year Out (Stellenbosch), Africa Volunteer programmes, AIESEC internships, work + travel.
- Best for
- Students unsure of what to study, building soft skills, saving fees, or building a more focused application for the next cycle.
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How to choose what to study
Three things narrow the field fast: your APS, your subject mix and where you want to live.
Calculate your APS first
APS thresholds are the most common gatekeeper. Each university uses its own formula, so the same matric profile produces different APS numbers. Use NavyBlue's APS Calculator to get your score at every SA university, or browse courses by APS to see what each band typically unlocks.
Subject minimums still apply
Pure Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) is required for most BSc, BEng, BCom Accounting Sciences and Health Sciences degrees. English (Home or First Additional) at Level 4 or 5 is usually compulsory. Physical Sciences gates Engineering and Health Sciences. Life Orientation rarely counts but always has to be passed.
Career-fit and location
The National Career Advice Portal (Khetha) at ncap.careerhelp.org.za is a free DHET tool that matches your interests to careers and study pathways. Your school's Life Orientation teacher and provincial Department of Education guidance counsellors are also free resources.
Open days 2027
Open days are your best chance to see campuses, meet faculties and ask questions. Most run between March and May. Dates below are pulled from each university's official site. Last verified .
| University | 2027 open day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town | Saturday 25 April 2026Verified | On-campus, 10:00 to 15:00. |
| Stellenbosch University | Saturday 18 April 2026Verified | On-campus undergrad open day, 08:00 to 15:00. Tickets via Quicket. |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | 7 March 2026 (Westville), 14 March 2026 (Pietermaritzburg)Verified | Campus open days, 09:00 to 14:00. |
| North-West University | 9 May (Potchefstroom), 16 May (Vanderbijlpark), 23 May (Mahikeng) 2026Verified | Three separate per-campus open days. |
| University of Pretoria | 7 March 2026 (NextGen, Nat & Agric Sciences)Verified | Faculty-specific. Main UP open day date not yet confirmed. |
| University of the Witwatersrand | Check the official Wits site | Wits runs a school-liaison programme and faculty events rather than a single open day. |
| University of Johannesburg | Check the official UJ site | Confirm on the UJ events page for the latest date. |
| University of the Free State | Check the official UFS site | Confirm on the UFS events calendar for the latest date. |
| Rhodes University | Check the official Rhodes site | Confirm on the Rhodes Open Day page for the latest date. |
| Nelson Mandela University | Check the official Mandela site | Confirm on MyFuture@Mandela for the latest date. |
Funding your studies
Don't let cost stop you applying. Several routes exist, and they often stack with each other.
NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)
Fully subsidised tuition + accommodation + living allowances for South African citizens at public universities and TVET colleges. Combined gross household income must be R350 000 or less per year. Applications usually open in September and close in January. See our full step by step NSFAS application guide for documents, deadlines and the rejection traps to avoid.
Apply or learn more →Funza Lushaka teaching bursary
Full-cost bursary for BEd or PGCE students who commit to teach in a public school for the same number of years funded. Applicants must be under 30. Apply on www.eservices.gov.za. Applications open October, close early February.
Apply or learn more →SETA bursaries and skills programmes
Each of the 21 SETAs runs bursary, learnership and skills development programmes for fields they regulate. Worth checking the SETA aligned to your career area for opportunities.
Apply or learn more →University merit and need bursaries
Most universities run their own internal bursaries (academic merit, sport, leadership, financial need). UCT VC Scholarship, Wits Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, UP Achievers' Bursary and Stellenbosch Merit Bursary are examples.
Corporate and parastatal bursaries
Eskom, Sasol, Standard Bank, Anglo American, Transnet, MTN and others run bursary schemes (typically with a service-back commitment). Apply early; many close in March or April for the following year.
Full bursaries directory
See our verified bursaries hub for open/closed status, income thresholds and application links for NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, Sasol, Thuthuka (SAICA), Motsepe Foundation, Eskom and StudyTrust.
Apply or learn more →Tests and assessments
A small number of universities and programmes layer admissions tests on top of APS. Get them booked before deadlines.
National Benchmark Test (NBT)
Required by UCT, Wits Health Sciences, Stellenbosch (some faculties), Rhodes, Walter Sisulu, UFS Medicine and several professional programmes. Two papers: Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) and Mathematics (MAT). Cost: R195 AQL only or R390 AQL + MAT (remark R250).
Book or learn more →School-leaver tests (subject specific)
Some programmes use additional tests: medicine interviews (UCT, Wits), portfolio reviews (architecture, fine art), auditions (drama, music) and aptitude tests (engineering at some UoTs).
Frequently asked questions
Next: applying
Once you've picked your route, the next step is the application itself: documents, fees, the CAO vs direct application question, residence and bursary applications, and key dates per university.
Step 2: Applying to university →Advertisement
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Learn moreCalculate your APS to narrow your options
Your APS shapes most of the choices on this page. Calculate it for every SA university in 30 seconds.
Open the APS Calculator