What is CACH?
CACH stands for Central Application Clearing House. It is a free service provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to assist students who have not yet secured a place at a university or college of their choice to find placement in other institutions.
The service was initiated in 2013. Since then it has helped thousands of students to get placed in institutions of higher learning across the country.
How Does It Work?
The CACH sign-up service collects information of learners with grade 12 results who are seeking placement at a University, University of Technology, or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college at the beginning of the year.
The CACH service is essentially a database of information provided by the student. Institutions and the sector education and training authorities (SETAs) then use the database to provide placement opportunities to the student.
How Are Placements Determined?
The placement opportunities that are offered are determined by the availability of places and the eligibility of the student. If both criteria are met, the student will receive an offer on the CACH system. Once the student accepts an offer, institutions will begin to contact them directly
Which Institutions Have Access to Student Data?
All public universities, TVET colleges, and SETAs will have access to the CACH database to search and identify students that are eligible for the available placement opportunities. The information collected from the CACH system is confidential and protected under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013.
How Will I Be Contacted?
If placement opportunities are available, the CACH system will continue to contact the student via SMS, e-mail, or the CACH website under the “check my offers” tab. Once the offer is accepted, the offering institution will proceed to make direct contact with the student.