Successful matrics who have not applied and been offered a place at any university and private or public college will get a last-chance lifeline in the form of an online government site.

The Department of Higher Education today opened its Central Application Clearing House (CACH) website, which assists tertiary institutions in filling vacant places by placing matrics who passed the previous year’s exams and have not applied or secured a space at their desired institution.

CACH was first introduced in 2013 and has since been helping fill open spaces at tertiary institutions.

Pupils are required to register on the site in order for their matric results to be accessed from the Department of Basic Education’s site and be passed onto institutions.

The only luxury one will have to forfeit when using CACH, is applying at an institution of your choice. So if you were hoping to go to Wit University and could not apply and get a place there, know that by using CACH, you may end up either another university, private college or (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) TVET somewhere around the country.

Those hoping for a place at a university will also have to bear in mind that universities more often than not require good performance in maths, physical science and biology for admission.

Should a place become available at any institution for a course you’d like to pursue, CACH will link you up with the institution so you can register.

To sign up to CACH, you’ll need your exam number and ID number, as well as your contact details.

Signing up on CACH will not guarantee anyone a placement, but it’s worth the try. The service will close on 28th February 2017.