University Registrations and Enrolments 2013

Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training

13 February 2012

University Registration in 2013

• University Enrolment planning and spaces for First Time Entering Students in 2013

• Central Applications Clearing House (CACH)

• Monitoring the Registration Period

• Key Issues

• Way Forward

Enrolment Planning Process• Enrolment planning for universities is done in 3 year cycles • Process for current cycle started in October 2009 and resulted in national and

institutional enrolment and output targets for the 2011 to 2013 academic years• Institutions submitted their plans and DHET engaged with them to reach negotiated

targets, included assisting the Minister to reach his delivery agreement targets • The next cycle planning has started and this will be done for a 5 year cycle to set

targets for the 2014 – 2018 academic years• The table in the next slide provides enrolment figures for First Time Entering (FTEN)

students for 2011 - 2013• Actual audited figures are available for 2011, information for 2012 onwards are

projections based on the enrolment plans

2011 (actual) 2012 (target) 2013 (target) Projected growthTotal FTEN 185 840 179 793 183 893 Already exceeds target

Engineering 15 521 16 403 16 819 8.4%

Life and Physical Sciences 11 187 9 660 10 042 Already exceeds target

Animal Sciences 375 1 073 1 154207% Projection too high (CESM change?)

Human Health Sciences

6 860 8 350 8 978

31% (added investment by DoH and DHET)

Veterinarian Sciences

52 184 234

350% (Projection too high? New investment).

Initial Teacher Education 18 824 16 149 18 367 Already exceeds target

2013 First Time Entering Students (FTEN) (Total and major field related to ministerial targets)

Central Applications Clearing House (CACH)• The first phase of the Central Applications Service was implemented in January 2013 • CACH targeted Grade 12 learners from Class of 2012 who

– had not applied but found they were eligible for university studies – did apply but were not successful at the institution of their choice

• Purpose was to ensure that in 2013 (late) applicants receive better guidance than in the past, and that the number of walk-ins is minimised across the system

• CACH started on 3 January 2013 and will continue to operate until the end of March 2013

• To access CACH, prospective students could: – Call 0860 111 673 or Send a Please Call Me / SMS to 0722 045 056– Submit their information to the website: http://cach.dhet.gov.za

Central Applications Clearing House (CACH)• CACH is supported by the SAQA/DHET Career Advice call centre using its toll free call

number and SMS facility• The Career Advice call centre is functional throughout the year and provides ongoing

Career Advice and assistance to learners in understanding what the requirements are for specific types of programmes.

• CACH Capability:– able to handle up to 120 concurrent incoming calls and operational from 07:00 to 22:00 every day– Staff able to speak all official languages; message recording service; all calls recorded; data capturing

during calls– Automated call diverting to SAQA Career Advice Centre– Daily reports received

Central Applications Clearing House (CACH)• On calling in students choose between Career Advice and submitting information

to CACH• Prospective students’ information captured by CACH according to study fields and

geographic preference • Information in the database checked against the DBE examination results database • Lists generated of prospective eligible students looking for spaces at various

institutions in specific fields of study• Applicants not meeting the minimum requirements for university studies are

redirected to the SAQA/DHET Career Advice Service for guidance on other opportunities in the post school system

Central Applications Clearing House (CACH)• Assessment of whether or not a prospective applicant would meet the entry

requirements against information from universities• Applicants informed of opportunities within Universities or FET Colleges in the

geographic region linked to interests and prior academic achievement• University applications closed in 2012 therefore spaces that may be available

only identified after the registration period (late January 2013 – early February 2013 ). It is at this stage that CACH able to assist late applicants

• Universities provided information on spaces opening when students offered the spaces have not registered

• CACH databases sent to institutions to facilitate placement

CACH Volumes and Processes• Up to Wednesday 30 January 2013 a total of 66 419 calls, 1 367 emails and 163 walk

ins • The Call Centre received 4 types of enquiries:

– career / academic advice routed to SAQA– requests for application forms or advice on application processes– assistance to complete the online form for the CACH – students wanting to change their choices or other information on the CACH form

• Databases of prospective students complying with minimum admission requirements recorded and details sent to Universities for possible placement :– as at 31 January 2013 details of 8 467 individual students who met Bachelors or Diploma

requirements provided

CACH Effectiveness• At 31 January 2013 details of 8 761 individual students who matriculated

in 2012 were recorded on CACH with 8 467 meeting requirements• CACH successful in targeting people who qualify for study at university• Student’s who did not qualify, or where no spaces are available were

redirected to other spaces within the PSET system including FET Colleges and Learnerships through the SAQA Advice service

• A multi-media campaign in place using radio, TV and social media to create awareness of CACH from late November 2012

Looking Forward• Apply Now! Campaign to assist in getting message to prospective PSET

students that in future late applications will not be considered • Better Career Advice in schools also linked to Apply Now! Campaign

and the SAQA/DHET Career Advice and Information Service • CACH in 2014 will focus on assisting students who have applied but

have not been accepted into an institution of their choice and need to be directed to other PSET opportunities

• The Central Applications Service will be developed during 2013 for piloting in 2014 and implementation in 2015

Monitoring Registration at Universities• Universities develop and implement their own registration plans• Department held a workshop with Registrars on 20 November 2012

to prepare for 2013 registration and ensure a well coordinated approach and to enable cooperation around the implementation of CACH

• During the registration period, DHET has been in constant contact with dedicated contact persons at universities to follow up on queries and problems

• DHET Call centre receives complaints, queries and requests for assistance which are followed up by a dedicated section on a daily basis

• Most institutions started registration during January 2013 and some will continue into the first three weeks of February

• The Deputy Minister has visited selected institutions during registration including Univen, UJ and the UFH

Registration• Most institutions indicated that they did not accept walk-ins however they are open

to consider cases of students on the basis of individual merit and where spaces for admissions are still available specifically through CACH

• Institutions are increasingly utilising ICT, i.e. SMS and online registration systems, to facilitate the registration of new and returning students and minimize long registration queues

• With the exception of a few cases the process of admissions and registration has proceeded well thus far some problems experienced at TUT early on and some challenges at DUT linked to student funding

• Many institutions extending registration to enable financial aid issues to be sorted out

Key Issues

• Insufficient spaces for qualifying matriculants, particularly in professional qualifications, e.g. MBChB, Engineering, VET Sciences

• Insufficient funding for poor students• Insufficient affordable student accommodation• Poor communication with students and parents regarding admissions

at some institutions in relation to understanding of conditional/provisional acceptance

• Career guidance and information at schools on post school opportunities, financial aid and bursary/ scholarship opportunities

NSFAS Challenges• Funding falls far short of demand. Not all students who qualify receive NSFAS funding.

The high demand for financial aid places a huge strain on the system• The 2010 NSFAS review NSFAS requires 3 x its current budget • Despite massive NSFAS budget increase over last two years, the demands still exceeds

funds available• Institutions “Top slice” or cap awards , therefore NSFAS students have outstanding

debts and cannot register• The Department provided R350 million in 2012/13 from the NSF to assist NSFAS

returning students. DHET will maintain this support in 2013/14 • All universities have until 14 February 2013 to indicate their shortfall for this academic

year

Way Forward• DHET to hold a workshop with University Registrars, Deans of Students and

NSFAS to reflect on the 2013 process and develop an action plan to improve registration and admission processes further for 2014

• Evaluation of the 2012 Apply-Now! Campaign and an improved Campaign for 2013 targeting Grade 9 to 12 learners – in partnership with DBE, SAQA, HESA and NSFAS targeting all secondary

schools– information on career guidance and entry requirements for different fields – how to apply for places at all post school institutions, including universities

and FET colleges, and– how to apply for NSFAS funding. – the aim is to change the culture and ensure that learners make thoughtful

career choices and apply in time

Way Forward• For 2014 intake, ensure an improved CACH system • Over the longer term develop and implement a Central

Applications Service in partnership with HESA and NSFAS to enable – streamlined applications processes– Reliable data on applications and admissions to institutions – an integrated student service including: career guidance;

information on programmes offered across different institutions; applications for NSFAS and other bursaries; etc.

Thank You