South Africa's top universities have been inundated by hundreds of thousands of applications for limited first-year spaces.
They are pulling out all the stops to address student accommodation issues and ease the annual January registration challenges.
The University of Pretoria received more than 300,000 applications but only 14% (42,000) met the minimum requirements, and just 9,000 first-year students can be accommodated.
The university said it was working closely with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) to resolve any student funding issues.
“Student enrolment numbers are determined collaboratively by the government and universities, considering the availability of resources such as lecturers, teaching staff and the capacity of facilities, including lecture halls and residences,” the university said.
Wits University received 86,893 undergraduate applications but has capacity for only about 6,000 first-year students
“This planning is undertaken well in advance, spanning several years, to ensure universities are adequately prepared to accommodate all students. It is equally important for society to embrace the diversification of post-school institutions and the programmes they offer.”
Wits University received 86,893 undergraduate applications but has capacity for only about 6,000 first-year students.
Registrar Carol Crosley said the university had 5,762 beds under its management, with around 24,512 additional beds available through accredited external accommodation providers.
“Wits allows students to apply for three programmes, but they can only register for one. As and when a programme fills up we try to suggest alternate programmes, which students amend; in some faculties, for example engineering, we have a common first-year curriculum which allows flexibility,” said Crosley.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) allocated 4,500 spaces for first-year undergraduate students for the 2025 academic year. “This is in response to the substantial demand reflected in the 98,844 applications received. While this demand far exceeds available capacity, UCT remains committed to a fair and transparent admissions process that prioritises academic excellence and inclusivity,” the institution said.
It said it was “acutely aware of the growing demand for student housing”.
“To address this, we have implemented targeted measures to optimise existing residence capacity and prioritise accommodation for first-year and financially vulnerable students.
“Additionally, the university is actively pursuing opportunities to expand its student housing infrastructure through strategic partnerships and future development projects."
The University of Johannesburg reported receiving over 400,000 applicants and more than 760,000 study choice applications for the 2025 academic year.
“This is an increase of almost 60,000 applicants (and nearly 125,000 study choices) from the previous year,” the institution said.
“Some of our more popular programmes for the 2025 academic year include the Bachelor of Education (senior phase), with more than 60,000 applications for 500 spaces; the diploma in public relations and communications, with more than 44,500 applications for 60 spaces, and the Bachelor of Nursing with more than 37,500 applications for 50 spaces.”
The university said it had made adequate provisions to accommodate first-year students. “Specifically, 40% of the available accommodation is reserved for first-year students to ensure they have a seamless transition into university life,” the university said.
“In addition, UJ has established partnerships with accredited private-owned student accommodation providers. This arrangement is in place to ensure that students have access to safe and suitable housing options in the event that all UJ residences are fully occupied.
“UJ’s record-breaking application numbers for 2025 highlight its position as a leader in academic excellence and innovation. The university has capped its undergraduate first-year intake at 10,900 students, which aligns with the approved department of higher education and training’s enrolment plan.”
Stellenbosch University (SU) received 225,639 programme applications from 90,027 applicants for first-year undergraduate programmes. Spokesperson Martin Viljoen said the institution had space for 6,005 first-year students.
“To meet the increased demand for affordable accommodation, two new residences on the Stellenbosch campus will add 400 beds to the system in 2025,” he said.
Viljoen said the university “manages an extensive portfolio of financial support. The Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans strives to provide as much support to students as possible and urges all prospective and current Nsfas-funded students to also apply for SU funding.
“SU has launched a new, dedicated study loan application portal aimed at addressing the financial challenges faced by Nsfas-funded students, and students from the 'missing middle' income group. The application process provides a single platform to assist with various funding options.”
The South African Union of Students (Saus) has raised serious concerns about student accommodation, describing it as a "ticking time-bomb". The union's secretary-general Lukhanyo Daweti said ongoing administrative issues involving universities, Nsfas and private accommodation providers remain a persistent challenge.
"Demand continues to increase yearly, so if we don't have additional beds for 2025 then accommodation is a ticking time bomb. Private accommodation carries the largest number of students so it's very necessary. What needs to be improved is the administration and the data exchange between Nsfas, institutions and private accommodation providers,” said Daweti
But Nsfas spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said “there are no concerns regarding accommodation funding unless a student does not qualify for accommodation”.
He said the entity had introduced a new system to avoid glitches. Nsfas received 951,981 funding applications for the 2025 academic year, he said.
About 700,000 applicants had been provisionally approved for funding pending the submission of their registration data.
“For the 2025 applications season, Nsfas introduced an online application process and introduced new improvements to the application process that includes minimalrequests for supporting documents, unless further validation is required from applicants. Sassa applicants do not need to submit any documents and only the Nsfas consent form is compulsory for all non-Sassa beneficiaries.”
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