There is no single national entry rule for engineering at a TVET college: each public college sets its own. In the two published examples, the NC(V) engineering route starts at Level 2 with a Grade 9 pass that includes Mathematics, and the Report 191 (NATED) N4 level needs an N3 certificate or a Grade 12 pass with Mathematics and Physical Science.
Engineering TVET colleges offer these programmes in two streams, NC(V) Levels 2 to 4 and Report 191 N-levels. Use this page to see what the colleges publish, then confirm with the college you want to apply to. See the South West Gauteng TVET College engineering studies guide and the Ehlanzeni TVET College Electrical Infrastructure Construction page.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- NC(V) Levels 2 to 4 — engineering fields such as Civil Engineering and Building Construction, Electrical Infrastructure Construction, and Engineering and Related Design; one year per level, three years in total (South West Gauteng TVET College)
- NC(V) Level 2 at South West Gauteng — a year-end report for a passed Grade 9, 10 or 11 with Mathematics and Physical Science at 40% or above; or an NQF Level 1 qualification; or ABET Level 4; or a PLP
- NC(V) Level 2 at Ehlanzeni — Grade 9 year-end results with Mathematics passed, or an NQF Level 1 qualification, plus a placement assessment
- Report 191 N4 at South West Gauteng — a passed N3 certificate and a passed Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science at 40%
- No APS applies at N-level or NC(V); admission is by qualification level and subject results
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Entry rules differ by college. The examples above show how much: South West Gauteng asks for Mathematics and Physical Science at 40%, while Ehlanzeni asks for Mathematics passed plus a placement assessment. Check the college you are applying to before you assume a requirement.
NC(V) route. Level 3 at Ehlanzeni needs NQF Level 2 in the same programme, and Level 4 needs Level 3. A completed NC(V) Level 4 is also a recognised route to a university of technology: CPUT, for example, accepts an NC(V) Level 4 with English at 60%, Mathematics at 60% and at least three engineering subjects at 60% for its Electrical Engineering qualifications (see the CPUT prospectus entry).
Report 191 (NATED) route. South West Gauteng offers Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering at N4 to N6. Students register three times a year (January, May and September), and the programme is nine months of theory at each stage with 18 months of practical experience. Ask the college which entry level and intake applies to you.
Entry rules for N1 to N3 differ by college and are not set out in the guides above, so ask the college directly about them.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The subjects the colleges name are Mathematics and Physical Science, with a 40% mark at South West Gauteng, and Mathematics passed at Ehlanzeni. Neither guide gives an APS, because TVET admission is by level and subject rather than points.
Where a college lists Mathematical Literacy as acceptable or not, that is stated in its own entry criteria. Neither published example mentions it, so check with the college before you rely on it.
If you want to continue beyond TVET, remember that a university of technology sets its own subject percentages for NC(V) applicants, as the CPUT example shows.
Documents and Application Requirements
Each college publishes its own application process and list of documents. Based on the published entry rules, expect to need:
- Your latest year-end school report or Grade 9, 10 or 11 results (NC(V) entry), or your Grade 12 results (N4 entry)
- Your N3 certificate, for N4 entry
- Any completed NQF Level 1, ABET Level 4 or PLP certificate, if you are applying on that basis
- A placement assessment, where the college requires one (Ehlanzeni does for NC(V) Level 2)
Identity documents, proof of residence, application fees and banking details differ by college. Ask the college admissions office or use its online application portal, such as the one on the Ehlanzeni TVET College website.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Funding. The NSFAS bursary covers students who are registered or intend to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any of the 50 public TVET colleges. It is for South African citizens and is tested against financial need. Engineering Studies NC(V) Levels 2 to 4 and Report 191 N1 to N6 programmes are among those NSFAS lists as generally funded. Check the NSFAS site for the current application dates and income threshold, because the dates on its TVET page are out of date.
Intakes. South West Gauteng takes N4 to N6 students in January, May and September, so a missed intake need not cost a full year. Other colleges set their own intake and closing dates.
Choose a campus that offers your programme. Not every campus offers every engineering programme, so confirm the programme and campus together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TVET colleges offer engineering?
Public TVET colleges offer engineering as NC(V) Levels 2 to 4 and Report 191 N1 to N6. South West Gauteng and Ehlanzeni are two that publish their engineering programmes and entry rules; other colleges set their own.
What do I need to start NC(V) engineering at a TVET college?
At South West Gauteng, a passed Grade 9, 10 or 11 year-end report with Mathematics and Physical Science at 40%, or an NQF Level 1 qualification, ABET Level 4 or a PLP. At Ehlanzeni, Grade 9 results with Mathematics passed or an NQF Level 1 qualification, plus a placement assessment.
What do I need for N4 engineering?
At South West Gauteng, a passed N3 certificate and a passed Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science at 40%. Programmes there run from N4 to N6 in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
Can I study engineering with Mathematical Literacy?
The published entry rules name Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy, so assume Mathematics is needed and confirm with the college before you apply.
Does NSFAS fund engineering at a TVET college?
Yes, NSFAS lists Engineering Studies NC(V) Levels 2 to 4 and Report 191 N1 to N6 among the programmes it generally funds, for qualifying South African students at public colleges.
Can I go from a TVET college to a university of technology?
Yes. An NC(V) Level 4 is a recognised route in, but each university of technology sets its own subject marks. CPUT asks for 60% in English, 60% in Mathematics and at least three engineering subjects at 60% for its Electrical Engineering qualifications.
Entry requirements, intake dates and funding are set by each college and by NSFAS, and are revised. Confirm the current details with the college you want to attend and with NSFAS. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.