This is a course people will be accepted into, but because of the many academic programmes or options, the students need to choose a specific programme later on.
Example of a holding course in terms of a degree is the Law degree. If you get accepted by the UAC you will be put into a holding course: B Arts/Communication Studies/Social Science / B Laws. After Enrolment, you need to enrol into the specific programme, e.g. B Arts / B Laws.
Example of a holding course in terms of the academic programme is Social Science. If you get accepted via the UAC you will be enrolled into the Bachelor of Social Science, however you will need to choose a key programme to complete so enrol into something like B Social Science (Psychology).