Matric results are out: what next?

Whether you passed well, passed with less than you hoped or did not pass, there is a next step for you. This guide covers your results, re-marks and rewrites, study and funding, learnerships and work, and your first CV.

Updated 29 October 2026 · By Tumelo Vincent Tau

1. Get your results and your statement

Results come out in January. The Minister of Basic Education announces the national results in the evening, and learners get their own results from the next morning. For the class of 2025, that was 12 and 13 January 2026.

At your school or exam centre: the safest way, and where you collect your statement of results.
By SMS, USSD or on the Department of Basic Education website, from early on results day.
In the newspapers, listed by exam number only, without names.

Check that your name, surname and ID number on the statement are correct. You need the statement for every application, so keep a clear photo or scan of it.

2. Not happy with a mark? Re-mark, re-check or rewrite

Option	What it is	Last year (for reference)
Re-check	Your marks are counted and added up again.	R30, applications 13 to 27 January 2026
Re-mark	Your paper is marked again.	R120, applications 13 to 27 January 2026
Viewing your script	You see your marked paper, after a re-mark or re-check.	R230, within 7 days of the re-mark results
May/June exams	Rewrite subjects to pass or improve your results.	Applications closed on 6 February 2026

Apply at your school, the district education office or online. The dates and fees for your year are announced with the results, and the deadlines are short, so decide in the first two weeks.

If you did not pass, or you want better marks, the free Second Chance Matric Programme of the Department of Basic Education helps learners prepare for the rewrites. Ask at your school or district office, or look up "Second Chance Programme" on the Department of Basic Education website. If you are over 21, ask about the Senior Certificate instead.

3. Studying further

University: applications for most universities close in the year before you start, but some programmes still have space in January. Contact the university directly, and in KwaZulu-Natal ask the Central Applications Office (CAO).
TVET colleges: public TVET colleges offer practical qualifications and trades. Ask your nearest college about its application dates and what you need to bring.
NSFAS funding: applications for 2027 closed on 31 October 2026. If you missed this round, apply in the next round, which opens later in the year. Check the dates on nsfas.org.za and apply early.

Be careful of scams. Never pay anyone to "guarantee" a place, a bursary or NSFAS funding. Apply only through the official websites, your school or the institution itself.

4. Learnerships and work

A learnership lets you earn a qualification while you work and get a monthly allowance. Adverts come out throughout the year, so start looking now.

Register on SA Youth (sayouth.mobi): free, data-free on the main networks, for unemployed young people aged 18 to 34. Help line: 0800 72 72 72.
Read our guide on how to apply for learnerships, including how to spot fake adverts.
Holiday jobs, piece jobs and volunteering also count as experience on your CV.

5. Make your first CV

Almost every application asks for a CV. Without work experience, your matric results, subjects and short courses are your strongest section, followed by skills, volunteering and references such as a teacher or principal.

See how to write a CV with no work experience.
See the learnership CV example and a matching cover letter.
Keep copies of your ID and statement of results ready as clear photos or PDFs.

Sources: Daily Maverick: Matric 2025 results, release dates, access and next steps; Vuk'uzenzele: Register for the Second Chance Matric Programme; TimesLive: NSFAS applications for 2027 close on October 31; Harambee: SA Youth for work-seekers. Dates and fees change every year: always check the official announcement for your year.