Did you fail Matric, miss some subjects, or pass but need better marks to qualify for your desired university course? You may still have an opportunity to improve your results through South Africa’s Second Chance Matric Programme.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers the Second Chance Matric Support Programme to help eligible candidates complete their National Senior Certificate (NSC), meet the requirements for a Senior Certificate (SC), or improve their existing results.
The programme provides educational support through learning materials, face-to-face classes at designated centres, online resources, and educational broadcasts. It is designed to help eligible candidates work towards their qualifications without paying to participate in the official programme.
For the 2027 examination cycle, the DBE has announced opportunities for candidates to write examinations in May/June and October 2027. Registration opened on 1 October 2026. Candidates should check the official DBE website for the applicable registration deadline and examination arrangements.
Second Chance Matric Programme 2027: Quick Overview
Programme: Second Chance Matric Support Programme
Provider: Department of Basic Education (DBE)
Country: South Africa
Purpose: Complete Matric, rewrite subjects or improve results
Examination opportunities: May/June and October 2027
Registration opening: 1 October 2026, as announced by the DBE
Registration closing date: Confirm the applicable deadline with the DBE
Cost: The official programme is free
Study support: Learning materials, educational resources and classes at designated centres
Official website: https://www.education.gov.za/programmes/secondchanceprogramme.aspx
Enquiries: 0800 20 29 33 or SecondChance@dbe.gov.za
What Is the Second Chance Matric Programme?
The Second Chance Matric Programme is a government initiative that supports people who have not yet met the requirements for the National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate.
It recognises that not everyone achieves the results they hoped for on their first attempt. Some candidates need to pass outstanding subjects, while others want to improve their marks to meet university admission requirements or pursue a different career path.
Through this programme, eligible candidates can access learning support and prepare to rewrite the relevant examinations.
Improving your Matric results may help you explore further study, bursaries, vocational training and employment opportunities. However, admission and funding decisions remain subject to the requirements of each institution or programme.
Who Can Apply for the Second Chance Matric Programme?
Eligibility depends on the type of examination you need to write and your previous education history.
The DBE identifies the following groups among those supported by the programme:
1. Candidates Who Did Not Pass Matric
If you previously wrote the National Senior Certificate examinations but did not meet the requirements to obtain your certificate, you may be eligible to rewrite the relevant subjects.
The applicable examination route will depend on your previous results and the DBE’s current registration rules.
2. Candidates Who Want to Improve Their Matric Marks
You may already have passed Matric but need higher marks to meet the entry requirements for a university course, diploma or another qualification.
Improving specific subjects may help you meet those requirements, depending on the institution and course.
3. Candidates With Outstanding Subjects
Candidates who still need to meet the requirements for their school-leaving certificate may be able to rewrite outstanding subjects, subject to the examination rules that apply to them.
4. Eligible Senior Certificate Candidates
The programme also supports eligible Senior Certificate examination candidates. Adults who did not complete Matric may have another route through the Senior Certificate system, depending on their age and previous qualifications.
Important: Not every candidate qualifies for every examination session. Confirm your eligibility, the number of subjects you may register for and the appropriate examination route with the DBE or your provincial education department.
Which Subjects Can You Rewrite?
The Second Chance Matric Programme provides academic support in several subjects, including:
Accounting
Agricultural Sciences
Business Studies
Economics
English First Additional Language
Geography
History
Mathematics
Mathematical Literacy
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
The subjects available for examination registration may depend on the applicable examination route. Check the current DBE information before deciding which subjects to rewrite.
When Will the 2027 Second Chance Matric Examinations Take Place?
The DBE has announced two examination opportunities for the 2027 cycle:
May/June 2027
This examination opportunity may be suitable for candidates who qualify to write during the mid-year examination session.
October 2027
The October examination opportunity provides another route for eligible candidates to work towards completing or improving their qualifications.
The exact examination timetable, registration deadlines and eligible candidate categories should be confirmed through the official DBE channels.
Do not assume that every candidate can choose either session or write every subject in both sessions.
Is the Second Chance Matric Programme Free?
Yes. The official Department of Basic Education Second Chance Matric Programme is free for eligible participants.
The programme provides educational support to help candidates prepare for their examinations. Depending on the available arrangements, support may include:
Learning and teaching materials
Self-study guides
Past examination papers
Online learning resources
Face-to-face lessons at designated centres
Educational television and radio broadcasts
Additional examination preparation resources
Candidates should confirm which support services are available in their province and for their particular subjects.
Beware of Matric Rewrite Scams
Be careful of individuals or businesses claiming that you must pay them to register for the official government Second Chance Matric Programme.
The DBE has warned candidates against paid services falsely presented as part of its official programme.
Private tutoring and independent educational services may charge their own fees, but they should not misrepresent themselves as the free DBE programme.
Use official government channels to verify registration instructions before paying anyone.
How to Register for the Second Chance Matric Programme 2027
If you want to rewrite Matric in 2027, follow these steps.
Step 1: Visit the official DBE website
Go to the Second Chance Matric Programme page:
https://www.education.gov.za/programmes/secondchanceprogramme.aspx
Read the latest information about examination opportunities, eligibility and available learning support.
Step 2: Identify your examination route
Determine whether you need to rewrite National Senior Certificate subjects, complete outstanding requirements or apply through the Senior Certificate route.
Your previous Matric results and education history will help determine which route applies to you.
Step 3: Check the registration process
The DBE provides information about registration through relevant education offices and online services for eligible examination categories. Follow the instructions for your specific route rather than assuming that one online form applies to everyone.
You can also consult the South African government’s service information:
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Before registering, prepare the documents requested for your examination category. These may include:
Your South African ID or other accepted identification
Previous Matric results or examination records
Details of the subjects you want to rewrite
Supporting documents, where required by the examination rules
The official registration instructions will confirm the exact requirements.
Step 5: Confirm your registration
Make sure your registration has been accepted and that you understand which subjects you are registered to write.
Keep any confirmation or reference information you receive.
Step 6: Start preparing for your examinations
Use the DBE’s study materials, past papers, online resources and available classes to create a realistic study timetable.
Do not wait until the examination timetable is released to begin revising.
Where Can You Get Help?
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, registration or examination arrangements, contact the Department of Basic Education.
Telephone: 0800 20 29 33
Email: SecondChance@dbe.gov.za
Official programme page: https://www.education.gov.za/programmes/secondchanceprogramme.aspx
Government service information: https://www.gov.za/services/services-residents/education-and-training/basic-education/register-rewrite-matric-subjects
You can also contact your provincial education department or relevant district office for guidance on the examination route that applies to you.
Your Matric Results Do Not Define Your Future
Not achieving the results you wanted can be disappointing, but it does not mean that your education journey must end.
The Second Chance Matric Programme gives eligible candidates another opportunity to work towards completing Matric or improving their results. The next step is to understand which examination route applies to you, confirm the registration requirements and prepare early.
If you plan to rewrite in 2027, visit the official Department of Basic Education website and confirm the current registration instructions before submitting your application.
Your next step starts with a decision to try again.
NextStepZA shares education, bursary and career information to help South Africans find opportunities and make informed decisions. Always verify examination dates, eligibility and registration instructions with the relevant government department.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be eligible, depending on when you wrote Matric, your previous results and the applicable examination rules. Contact the DBE to confirm which examination route is available to you.
Yes. Participation in the official DBE programme is free for eligible candidates. Be cautious of anyone charging a fee to register you for the official programme.
Eligible candidates may be able to rewrite selected subjects or add subjects, depending on the examination route and applicable rules. Confirm the number of subjects you can register for before applying.
Yes, eligible candidates may use the relevant examination route to improve selected marks. Check the current rules and whether the improved results will meet your intended institution’s admission requirements.
Some adults may qualify through the Senior Certificate route or another applicable examination pathway. Eligibility depends on age, previous schooling and the relevant examination requirements.
No. Improving your results may help you meet entry requirements, but universities and colleges make their own admission decisions. Some programmes have additional subject, mark or selection requirements.
The DBE announced that registration for the next cycle opened on 1 October 2026. Check the official website or contact the DBE to confirm the closing date applicable to your examination category.
Visit the official Second Chance Matric Programme page. It provides links to learning resources, subject materials and examination preparation support.
Official sources to include in the article
- Department of Basic Education — Second Chance Programme
Department of Basic Education - South African Government — Register to rewrite Matric subjects South African Government
- DBE announcement on the 2027 examination cycle Department of Basic Education