There are thousands of matriculants who missed last year's application deadlines and now can't study further even though the figures show there should be enough spaces.

There are over 210,000 first-year places at public universities and over 320,000 at TVET colleges.

That's more than sufficient to cater for the 170,000 matrics who received a Bachelor's pass in 2018 and the 140,000 students who obtained a diplomas' pass.

Some institutions have accommodated the late applicants by assisting them in applying online on the campus.

This includes the University of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Aside from placements, financing still remains one of the biggest challenges for prospective students.

Universities will officially be opening next week.

eNCA