Hospitality courses requirements depend on the level you enter at. A public TVET college accepts a Grade 9 pass for the NC(V) Hospitality programme, a hospitality N4 course asks for matric or an NC(V) Level 4, and a university of technology diploma needs a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma entry plus specific English and Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy or Accounting ratings.
Most hospitality courses in South Africa also build in a long stretch of workplace training, and the stronger programmes add an interview, health requirements and a uniform and toolkit you pay for yourself.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- NC(V) Hospitality, Levels 2 to 4 (TVET): Grade 9 certificate or an NQF Level 1 equivalent
- Hospitality N4 to N6 (TVET, NATED): an NC(V) Level 4 in Hospitality, an N4 Food Services certificate, an equivalent NQF Level 4 occupational qualification, or an NSC with enough points
- Diploma in Hospitality Management (university of technology): NSC with diploma entry, English at level 4 and minimum ratings in Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy or Accounting
- Selection extras at some institutions: interview or suitability test, Hepatitis A vaccination, and your own uniform and kitchen toolkit
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
TVET colleges. The NC(V) Hospitality programme is a three-year, full-time qualification that ends at NQF Level 4. False Bay TVET College lists the entry requirement as a Grade 9 certificate or NQF Level 1 equivalent. It covers English First Additional Language, Life Skills and Computer Skills, and Mathematical Literacy alongside Hospitality Generics, Hospitality Services, Food Preparation, and Client Services and Human Relations.
For the hospitality and catering N4 to N6 route, Central Johannesburg TVET College asks for one of the following: an NC(V) Level 4 in Hospitality, the N4 Food Services certificate, an equivalent NQF Level 4 occupational qualification, or an APS of 24 calculated with English counted double plus your four next-best NSC or NC(V) subjects. Each N level takes six months in class. You then need 18 months of practical work in the industry to complete the programme.
Universities of technology. The legal minimum for any higher education diploma is an NSC with a rating of 3 (40–49%) in English and in four other recognised 20-credit subjects. Hospitality departments set higher programme rules on top of this, as the DUT example below shows.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
At Durban University of Technology (DUT), the three-year Diploma in Hospitality Management (NQF 6, SAQA ID 110953) requires:
- English at NSC level 4
- One of Mathematics at level 2, Mathematical Literacy at level 3 or Accounting at level 3
- Three further recognised 20-credit NSC subjects at level 3
- For NC(V) Level 4 applicants: 50% in English and in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, or 60% in Accounting
DUT gives preference to applicants who passed Business Studies, Economics or a hospitality-related subject, or who bring industry experience or a CATHSSETA-recorded or other accredited hospitality qualification. The Diploma in Catering Management at DUT is stricter on subjects: Accounting at level 3 is compulsory, alongside English at level 4 and Mathematics at level 2 or Mathematical Literacy at level 3.
Hospitality Studies or Consumer Studies at school helps with preference and with the TVET N4 route, but none of the programmes above makes them compulsory. Mathematical Literacy is accepted in each case, so pure Mathematics is not a barrier.
Documents and Application Requirements
Most institutions ask for a certified copy of your ID and your latest results (final Grade 11 results if you are still in matric, or your NSC, NC(V) or other highest qualification). Beyond the paperwork, check these programme requirements before you apply:
- Where to apply: DUT takes applications through the Central Applications Office (CAO). DUT’s closing date for 2027 entry is 30 September 2026. Other universities and TVET colleges take applications directly on their own websites.
- Health: DUT requires every hospitality and catering student to have a Hepatitis A vaccination (a primary dose and a booster).
- Uniform and equipment: a full restaurant and kitchen uniform and a kitchen toolkit are compulsory at DUT and are for your own account.
- Funding: NSFAS funds qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges. Apply at nsfas.org.za separately from your study application.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. DUT interviews every applicant who meets the minimum for the hospitality diploma, runs a suitability test for catering, and fills places with the highest-scoring candidates. The personal qualities it looks for include communication skills, grooming, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility.
Workplace training is part of the qualification, not an optional extra. The DUT diploma spends two years at its hotel school and one year in a hospitality business. The TVET N4 to N6 route needs 18 months of practical work before it is complete.
Applicants aged 23 or older without an NSC can apply to DUT on the basis of work experience, age and maturity. This usually needs three years’ relevant experience and an admission assessment, and the application must be in at least four months before the academic year starts.
If you are looking at a private hotel school, confirm that it is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and that the qualification is on the SAQA register before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a hospitality course after Grade 9?
You can start the NC(V) Hospitality programme at a public TVET college with a Grade 9 certificate or an NQF Level 1 equivalent. It takes three years full-time and ends at NQF Level 4.
Can I study a hospitality course with Mathematical Literacy?
Yes. DUT accepts Mathematical Literacy at level 3 for its hospitality and catering diplomas, and the TVET routes do not require pure Mathematics.
What APS do I need for hospitality courses in South Africa?
It depends on the institution. Central Johannesburg TVET College asks for an APS of 24 (English counted double) for its N4 hospitality programme. DUT uses subject ratings rather than a published minimum APS for its hospitality diploma, and selects the highest-scoring applicants after an interview.
What are the hospitality and catering courses requirements?
The DUT Diploma in Catering Management needs English at level 4, compulsory Accounting at level 3, and Mathematics at level 2 or Mathematical Literacy at level 3. TVET hospitality and catering N4 routes accept an NC(V) Level 4 in Hospitality or an NSC with enough points.
Do hospitality courses include practical work?
Yes. The DUT diploma includes a year in industry, and TVET N4 to N6 students need 18 months of practical work to complete the qualification.
Can I get into a hospitality course without matric?
Yes, through the NC(V) route with Grade 9, or at DUT through the work experience, age and maturity route if you are 23 or older.
Entry requirements, closing dates and fees change with each intake, so confirm them with the university of technology, TVET college or hotel school you are applying to. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.