Richfield College (Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology) offers higher certificates, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, Honours and an MBA across Information Technology and Business Science, on campus and online. Entry depends on the programme: most undergraduate routes ask for a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with the right endorsement, and Richfield also admits some applicants through mature age exemption or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Richfield says it has eight campuses across South Africa. Check the programme page for your course before you apply, because some programmes have specific subject requirements and the application page notes that additional requirements may apply.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- NSC with an endorsement for a higher certificate, diploma or degree, matching the level you are applying for
- NCV at NQF level 4 with appropriate subjects, or an FET NQF 4 qualification, on the routes that list them
- Mature age exemption if you are 23 or older without academic transcripts, or RPL
- Programme-specific subject requirements, where the programme page or prospectus sets them
- A certified copy of your ID or passport, proof of residence, your latest academic results and the application fee
Examples of what Richfield publishes: the Higher Certificate in Information Technology (SAQA ID 82926, NQF 5, one year), the Diploma in Business Administration (SAQA ID 88897, NQF 6, three years) and the Bachelor of Commerce (SAQA ID 84948, NQF 7, three years).
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Richfield states that it is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Registration Certificate No. 2000/HE07/008) and that its programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). That is the institution’s own statement, so confirm it with the DHET register, CHE and SAQA before you pay anything. Registration belongs to the institution, accreditation is granted per programme, and each qualification should carry a SAQA ID and NQF level. Ask Richfield for the SAQA ID of your chosen qualification.
Admission routes are set programme by programme. The three published routes for the programmes above are:
- Higher Certificate in Information Technology: an NSC with an endorsement for admission to a higher certificate, diploma or degree; NCV NQF 4 with appropriate subjects; mature age exemption (23 or older); or RPL.
- Diploma in Business Administration: an NSC with a diploma-level endorsement; NCV NQF 4 or FET NQF 4; mature age exemption; or RPL.
- Bachelor of Commerce: an NSC with an endorsement for admission to a degree; NCV NQF 4 or FET NQF 4; mature age exemption; or RPL.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The programme pages Richfield publishes name the NSC endorsement type but do not give an Admission Point Score (APS) or minimum percentages per subject. Richfield notes that some programmes have specific subject requirements and tells applicants to check the prospectus for their qualification, so do not assume a figure from another institution applies here.
Richfield’s prospectus page currently offers the 2027 General Prospectus, the 2027 Mini Prospectus and the 2027 MBA Prospectus. A 2026 edition is no longer shown there, so if you were looking for the Richfield prospectus for 2026, the 2027 editions are the current ones. Download the prospectus and read the entry in your qualification’s section for its subject requirements.
If a qualification is regulated by a professional body, or you plan to continue at a public university afterwards, ask that body or university directly whether the qualification is accepted, not only the college.
Documents and Application Requirements
For first-year applications Richfield asks for:
- A certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Proof of residence
- Your latest academic results
- The R300 non-refundable application fee
If you are 23 or older and have no academic transcripts, ask about RPL or mature age exemption when you apply. Applicants with other situations, such as foreign qualifications or study abroad, should ask the Admissions Office what else is needed. Programme fees are published by Richfield as downloadable on-campus and online fee documents on its fees page; the mid-year 2027 fees were still to be published at the time of writing. Read the fee agreement carefully before you sign.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Applications for the 2027 intake opened on 1 September, with Orientation Week for 2027 on 25 January 2027. Richfield’s application steps are:
- Choose your programme and study mode (on campus or online).
- Prepare your documents.
- Apply online on the Richfield application page.
- Track your application with your reference number.
- Pay the registration fee once you are accepted.
Compare the programme with what public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges offer before you commit, and keep every receipt and the signed agreement. Pay only into Richfield’s own verified accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courses does Richfield offer?
Higher certificates, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, Honours and an MBA in Information Technology and Business Science, on campus and online. Examples include the Higher Certificate in Information Technology, the Diploma in Business Administration and the Bachelor of Commerce.
Where is the Richfield prospectus for 2026?
The official prospectus page now lists the 2027 General, Mini and MBA prospectuses. Use those, and ask the Admissions Office if you need a specific earlier edition.
Can I study at Richfield without matric?
If you are 23 or older and do not have academic transcripts, you may qualify through RPL or mature age exemption. Richfield’s programme pages list these routes alongside the NSC.
How much is the application fee?
For first-year applicants, Richfield lists a non-refundable application fee of R300. Tuition fees are set per programme in the fee documents on Richfield’s fees page.
How do I check that a private college is legitimate?
Check the institution’s DHET registration, the CHE accreditation of the specific programme, and the SAQA registration of the qualification, using the official sources rather than the college’s own marketing.
Does NSFAS fund private colleges?
Whether you can get funding for a particular programme should be confirmed with NSFAS and with Richfield’s Admissions Office before you apply.
Confirm entry requirements, fees and dates with Richfield’s Admissions Office through its application page. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.