The Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has a handful of places open for national diplomas in information technology and accounting, which require advanced mathematics, but every other place in the province is taken.
In total, the four universities received 76 966 applications for 16 767 places, leaving 60 199 prospective students disappointed.
Education experts said alternatives to traditional universities were available and urged disappointed applicants to try for any qualification they could achieve to get a foot in the job market.
Earlier this month, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande released a Green Paper on proposals to overhaul the education system.
The paper, which is open for public comment until April, aims to change the post-school education system by increasing university enrolment and expanding Further Education and Training Colleges (FET).
Nzimande announced the plans after Gloria Sekwena was killed in a stampede while queuing to register her son, Kgositsile, at the University of Johannesburg.
Yesterday, WSU spokeswoman Angela Church said the only places still available for first-year students were for national diplomas in information technology and accounting. "The minimum entry requirement for both is level four in mathematics and accounting.
"All other programmes are full and have waiting lists."
Church said the university had received 22 000 first-year applications, but could accommodate only 6329 students.
University of Fort Hare spokesman Mawande Mrashula said 2308 students were accepted from 13 337 applicants.
Mrashula said the bachelor's degree in social work had the highest number with a total of 3576 applications. Of those, 280 were admitted to the Alice campus and 180 students in East London.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University spokeswoman Roslyn Baatjies said the university in Port Elizabeth had received 34 629 applications. "Out of this large number only 6530 could be admitted [and] 25 were on the waiting list."
The university attributed this to the fact that most prospective students did not meet admission criteria. Those who qualified, but for programmes that were full, were placed on a waiting list.
Rhodes University acting spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana said more than 7000 applications were received for 1600 places.
"For our science, humanities, commerce and pharmacy faculties, we have just over 1600 places available and have slightly exceeded our target," Matiwana said.
Independent economist Pieter Laubsher said he would advise those who did not get a place at university to keep applying to get a qualification. "The latest data shows positive developments. The economy is picking up [and] is recovering from the 2009 recession.
"The latest stats show job creation is starting to happen. It's looking up, and I'm hopeful that the recovery will be sustained," he said.
Laubsher, however, said not all matriculants would get jobs.
"I'm not sure about the figures but there is a 2% growth in formal economy [civil sector and manufacturing] jobs - roughly speaking about 130 000 jobs for this year."
PAG general manager of the coastal region Bonnie Currin said matriculants who had not managed to get places at universities should look for temporary jobs.
These included being waitresses, doing voluntary work, administration or learnership programmes.
"These will help them build their workplace behaviour or ethic. They should be proactive and jobs will prepare them to step up and be prepared for future employment."
Rosebank-based College Campus managing director Genevieve Allen said the public university sector was not the only option for students. Though traditional universities that offered diplomas and degrees were the first choice, there were other options.
These included private higher education institutions, FETs, specialist education institutions, distance learning or Sector Education and Training Authority-based learnerships.
Edexcel Southern Africa regional director Ian Yoell said matriculants should try to keep cool heads.
"As we all know, there are limited study places at universities in South Africa, so it is inevitable that large numbers of highly capable and motivated young South Africans, just out of school, will fail to secure one of the much sought-after spaces at these institutions.
"However, don't despair.
"There is good news for those that were unsuccessful.
"There is a large number of private higher education and public FET colleges to consider," Yoell said.
Source: Daily Dispatch via i-Net Bridge
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