Best Private TVET Colleges In South Africa

In South Africa, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system is overseen by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as part of the broader Post-School Education and Training sector. This programme is designed to give students access to career-focused learning that combines theory with practical skills. To ensure that the training meets national standards, DHET works in partnership with organizations such as the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Quality Council of South Africa (QCSA), both of which play important roles in maintaining the quality and credibility of qualifications.

Alongside public institutions, there are also a number of private colleges in South Africa that have been officially recognized to provide courses. These colleges are legally accredited and give learners the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects in different fields. For students who may not be able to commit to attending classes in person, many of these private colleges now offer flexible learning options such as online or virtual classes.

This modern approach to education makes it easier for individuals who are working, managing family responsibilities, or living far from campus to still gain valuable skills and qualifications. With both public and private colleges contributing to the TVET landscape, students are able to choose learning pathways that best suit their personal needs and career goals. In the sections that follow, we will look at how private colleges operate under DHET’s guidance and the opportunities they create for learners across South Africa.

PRIVATE COLLEGES IN THE TVET SECTOR

Many private colleges offer similar courses to public TVET colleges. Here are guidelines on how to choose a reputable private college.

How to choose a reputable private college

Before enrolling in a private college, it is important to make sure that it meets the legal requirements for private institutions and to determine whether the college provides quality programmes that are valued in the marketplace.

Before you register or pay any fees, follow the steps below to avoid enrolling in a ‘fly-by-night’ institution that will not give value for money.

Check that the college is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on the DHET list of registered private colleges in the TVET sector: www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx. Private colleges must be registered with the DHET in terms of the Continuing Education and Training Act 16 of 2006 and the FET Colleges Amendment Act of 2013. The DHET regularly updates the Register of Registered Private Colleges that is available on its website. The register includes information on the registration status of private colleges, qualifications that they are approved to offer, and their NQF Levels, as well as the contact details of the colleges. There is a danger that qualifications from unregistered colleges will not be recognised by DHET or employers. Don’t just believe the institution if it says that it is registered; check its registration status.
Check that the college is accredited by Umalusi by viewing the list on the Umalusi website http://www.umalusi-online.org.za/enquiries. The accreditation is closely linked to and dependent on the DHET registration. Accreditation is part of the quality assurance process that confirms the quality of the specific qualifications delivered by the private college.
It is also useful to find additional information, such as how long the institution has been in business and whether it has received negative publicity. If possible, speak to someone who recently completed the qualification you want to enrol for at the institution to find out about the quality of delivery and whether the qualification was valued by employers.
If you still have questions, call the DHET TVET College Helpline on 0800 872 2222.

South Africa’s Best Private TVET Colleges

Here is the list of Private TVET Colleges:

Gauteng Province

AAA School of Advertising (Pty) Ltd- 2000/HE07/015
Academy for Facilities Management (Pty) Ltd (A4FM) – 2009/HE07/012
Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie (Die) NPC –1999/HE08/001
Academy of Sound Engineering (Pty) Ltd –2009/HE07/011
Akademia NPC- 2011/HE08/005
Akademiese Reformatoriese Opleiding en Studies (AROS) NPC –2012/HE08/001
Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa (The) NPC –2000/HE08/004
Belgium Campus I ITVERSITY NPC – 2003/HE08/001
Boston City Campus and Business College (Pty) Ltd –2003/HE07/002
Boston Media House (Pty) Ltd –2008/HE07/007
Business Management Training College (Pty) Ltd –2011/HE07/002
Camelot International Pty (Ltd) –2000/HE07/018
Centurion Akademie (Edms)Bpk/Centurion Academy (Pty) Ltd – 2001/HE07/003
Cranefield College (Pty) Ltd t/a Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management – 2000/HE07/010
CTI Education Group (Pty) Ltd – 2004/HE07/004
Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management (Pty) Ltd – 2004/HE07/003
Empilweni Education (Pty) Ltd – 2008/HE07/002
Foundation for Professional Development (Pty) Ltd – 2002/HE07/013
Greenside Design Center College of Design (Pty) Ltd t/a Design Center College of Design – 2000/HE07/028
Health and Fitness Professionals Academy (Pty) Ltd – 2001/HE07/002
Healthnicon SA (Pty) Ltd – 2009/HE07/006
Hebron Theological College NPC – 2001/HE08/003
Henley Business School Limited – 2010/HE10/001
IMM Graduate School of Marketing (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/013
Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd – 2007/HE07/002
Inscape Education Group (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/002
International Academy of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/014 International College of Bible and Missions NPC – 2005/HE08/001
International Trade Institute of Southern Africa NPC – 2002/HE08/001

Western Cape Province

ACT Cape Town (Pty) Ltd –2013/HE07/002
Animation School (Pty) Ltd –2009/HE07/013
BHC School of Design (Pty) Ltd –2010/HE07/003
Cape Audio College (Pty) Ltd –2012/HE07/002
Cape Town Baptist Seminary NPC – 2000/HE08/005
Cape Town College of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd – 2014/HE07/005
Centre for Creative Education/Iziko La Bantu Be Afrika NPC
City Varsity (Pty) Ltd – 2001/HE07/004
Concept Interactive (Cape) Pty Ltd – 2009/HE07/003
Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC – 2001/HE08/006
Dermatech (Pty) Ltd – 2014/HE07/008
Design Academy of Fashion (Pty) Ltd – 2010/HE07/002
Durbanville College (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/009
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd – 2011/HE07/001
Exercise Teachers Academy (Pty) Ltd – 2001/HE07/006
FEDISA (Pty) Ltd – 2007/ HE07/001
Friends of Design- Academy of Digital Arts (Pty) Ltd – Western Cape
George Whitefield College NPC – 2007/HE08/002
Headstart Mercy Montessori Training Centre (Pty) Ltd – 2010/HE07/001
Helderberg College of Higher Education NPC – 2001/HE08/001
IHT Hotel School (Pty) Ltd – 2008/HE07/008

KwaZulu-Natal Province

Berea College of Technology (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/004
Commerce and Computer College of South Africa (Pty) Ltd – 2010/HE07/007
Damelin (Pty) Ltd – 2001/HE07/009
Embury Institute for Higher Education (Pty) Ltd – 2008/HE07/004
ICESA City Campus (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/001
International Hotel School (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/005
Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd. – 2001/HE07/011
MANCOSA (Pty) Ltd t/a Management College of Southern Africa – 2000/HE07/003
Oval International Computer Education (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/030
Production Management Institute of Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (PMI) – 2000/HE07/011 Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd – 2000/HE07/012
Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology (Pty) Ltd, trading as Richfield (RGIT) – 2000/HE07/008
Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary NPC – 2010/HE08/002
St Joseph’s Theological Institute NPC – 2003/HE08/003
Union Bible Institute NPC – 2010/HE08/001

Limpopo

Christ Baptist Church Seminary NPC – 2008/HE08/001
Southern African Wildlife College NPC – 2011/HE08/004

Mpumalanga

Christian Reformed Theological Seminary/Christelike Gereformeerde Teologie Seminarium NPC – 2002/HE08/002
Mukhanyo Theological College NPC – 2009/HE08/002

Eastern Cape