The matric results countdown has officially begun! For some, this is a time when stress levels are high and anxiety is a palpable reality.
Many universities will release application outcomes for first-time students only after the National Senior Certificate results are made public.
This is the first time in many years that universities will release application outcomes to prospective first-year students only after the official release of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
This change is as a result of Universities South Africa (USAf) being granted access to the 2025 NSC results early on Monday, January 12, just 24 hours before they are publicly released on Tuesday, January 13.
According to Universities South Africa (USAf) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Phethiwe Matutu, 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 last year’s results.
In previous years, universities typically received the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results 72 hours before the public release. This timeframe allowed institutions to finalise their admission decisions and issue acceptance letters on the same day that matric learners received their results. This practice helped to streamline the admission process and reduce anxiety for the awaiting matric learners.
A significant amount of pressure has been placed on universities in relation to the timeframe of processing and issuing acceptance letters to prospective students. These are just a few dates to expect application outcomes, depending on the university:
- 13 January
- 14 January
- 15 January
- DUT is expected to release its outcomes on January 16, and UNISA on January 19.
Students are highly urged to accept their placement offers as soon as they have made their choices to ensure a smooth process.
Also see: Is your teen prepared for the matric results release?
Feature Image: Gettys
