South African universities will limit their total first-year intake for the 2026 academic year to 235,000 students.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced the cap on Tuesday, stating that the decision was necessary because the nation’s post-school infrastructure can no longer keep pace with the growing number of matriculants seeking further education.
Demand Exceeds Supply
Addressing a media briefing on the department’s readiness for the 2026 academic year, Manamela highlighted the severe mismatch between demand and available capacity.
“Even if half of 156,000 matriculants currently sitting for examinations achieve a bachelor’s pass, the demand for university spaces will far exceed supply,” he warned.
The Minister appealed directly to prospective students to consider the broader Post-School Education and Training (PSET) ecosystem, urging them to explore vocational training colleges and community colleges as viable and critical alternatives to universities.
Security Preparations for Registration
Looking ahead to January, Minister Manamela announced plans to meet with security managers from across the sector, including universities, SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities), TVETs, and community colleges. The goal of these discussions is to strategize and prepare for potential security threats that may arise during the registration period
