TVET stands for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. TVET colleges offer practical, career-focused qualifications, mainly the National Certificate (Vocational), or NC(V), and the N1 to N6 NATED programmes. According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), you can enter with a Grade 9 pass or a Grade 12 certificate, an NQF Level 1 qualification, an approved bridging programme or a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment.
South Africa has 50 registered and accredited public TVET colleges on about 364 campuses, according to the DHET list of TVET colleges. Each college sets its own programme list, intake dates and application process, so use this page for the general picture and then check your college.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
The DHET frequently asked questions lists these ways into a TVET college:
- A Grade 9 pass or a Grade 12 certificate
- An NQF Level 1 qualification
- An approved bridging programme designed for access to NQF Level 2
- A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment
Which route applies to you depends on the programme. For example, Esayidi TVET College states Grade 9 and a minimum age of 16 for its NC(V) programmes, and Grade 12 at Higher Certificate level or better for Report 191 (NATED) programmes. Thekwini TVET College asks for Grade 12 for Business Studies at N4. See the Esayidi TVET College and Thekwini TVET College guides for the details.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
TVET colleges offer two main kinds of programme.
- NC(V): runs from NQF Level 2 to Level 4, is equivalent to Grades 10 to 12 and focuses on practical skills.
- N programmes (NATED): DHET describes these as programmes that focus on developing artisans. They run as N1 to N3 in Engineering and N4 to N6 in fields such as Agriculture, Art and Music, Business Studies, Social Services, Utility Studies and Engineering.
These are the tvet colleges courses most people ask about, and which ones you can take depends on the campus. Some colleges also list NQF Level 5 qualifications, including Higher Certificates, so check the programme list of the college you want.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Entry to a TVET college is set by the qualification level you have passed and, for some programmes, by particular subjects. Esayidi TVET College, for example, mentions no APS score anywhere on its site. For example, Thekwini TVET College ties its N2 and N3 engineering entry to your Mathematics and Science marks.
Do not assume one rule for every college or programme. The college prospectus or the campus admissions office gives the subjects and marks for the programme you want. To find your nearest college, use the DHET list of TVET colleges.
Documents and Application Requirements
Documents differ between colleges, and so do application fees. As an example, Esayidi TVET College asks you to upload a copy of your ID (or your guardian’s ID), proof of residence and your latest results. Check your own college for its list and for whether an application fee applies.
Look for the application or registration page on the college website, or ask the campus office how to apply.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Apply directly to the college you want during its application window. Windows and closing dates are set by each college and are published by the college.
Funding is a separate application. The NSFAS FAQs say South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already registered, at a public university or TVET college can apply. The bursary has an income limit of R350 000 a year or less (R600 000 for persons with disabilities), and verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the financial requirement. Confirm the rules for your intake on the NSFAS website before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of TVET college?
TVET stands for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. A TVET college is a public college that offers vocational and occupational qualifications. DHET lists 50 registered and accredited public TVET colleges in South Africa.
What courses do TVET colleges offer?
The main offerings are the NC(V) at NQF Levels 2 to 4 and the NATED N1 to N6 programmes. N1 to N3 are Engineering, and N4 to N6 cover fields such as Business Studies, Agriculture, Social Services and Utility Studies. The exact list depends on the college and campus.
Are there higher certificate courses at TVET colleges?
Some colleges list NQF Level 5 qualifications, including Higher Certificates, among their offerings. Ekurhuleni West TVET College is one example. It differs by college, so check the programme list of the college you want. Separately, a Grade 12 certificate at Higher Certificate level or better is the entry point Esayidi TVET College states for its Report 191 programmes.
Where is Nyenyezi TVET College?
Nyenyezi (also spelled Enyenyezi) is not a separate college. It is one of the six main campuses of Esayidi TVET College on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, alongside Port Shepstone and Gamalakhe. See the Esayidi TVET College guide and the college’s own website for its programmes.
What is the difference between NCV and N-level?
NC(V) runs from NQF Level 2 to Level 4 and is equivalent to Grades 10 to 12 with a practical focus. N-level (NATED) programmes run from N1 to N6 and are aimed at developing artisans and technical and business skills.
Can I go to university after TVET?
DHET’s TVET page lists gazetted minimum admission requirements for higher education, including routes for NC(V) Level 4 holders. Whether you qualify depends on the programme and the institution, so confirm with the university or university of technology you want to join.
Do I need matric for TVET?
Not always. DHET lists a Grade 9 pass as one way in, alongside a Grade 12 certificate, NQF Level 1, a bridging programme or RPL. Some programmes, such as Business Studies at N4 at Thekwini TVET College, ask for Grade 12.
Does NSFAS fund TVET study?
NSFAS funds students at public TVET colleges who meet its criteria, and you apply to NSFAS separately from your college application.
Confirm programme entry requirements and application dates with the specific TVET college, and see the Department of Higher Education and Training for the list of colleges. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.