VerifiedIn his statement of 10 September 2026, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela said applications to public TVET colleges for 2027 opened in September and close on 30 September 2026. He urged people not to wait until January, when many places are already taken. After that date, a late application only works where a college still has space.
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What counts as “late”
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before 30 September 2026 | Apply now; you may use last year’s results |
| After the main window closes | Check each college’s website for programmes that stayed open |
| In January 2027 | Phone the campuses directly to ask whether any programme still has space |
| A college says no late applications | Believe it. Waterberg, for example, states it does not accept late applications |
Official 2027 windows we could confirm
| College | Programmes | Dates on the college website |
|---|---|---|
| uMfolozi (KwaZulu-Natal) | NC(V) Level 2 and occupational | 1 to 30 September 2026 |
| Westcol (Gauteng) | NC(V) and occupational certificates | 1 to 30 September 2026 |
| Vuselela (North West) | NC(V) engineering-related and Hospitality | 1 to 30 September 2026 |
| Tshwane North (Gauteng) | NC(V) Level 2 | Closing 30 September 2026 |
| Central Johannesburg (Gauteng) | NC(V) Level 2 at selected campuses | 15 September to 15 October 2026 |
DHET’s admissions policy for TVET colleges (2019) allows registration to run into the second week of January, with late registration only in special cases.
Improving your chances after the deadline
- Apply to more than one public college, including ones outside your home town.
- Choose a programme that is still listed as open rather than a popular full course.
- Look at occupational programmes with July intakes if January is full.
- Keep your NSFAS application separate and on time; a college place alone does not fund you.
The Department of Higher Education and Training stopped the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) for 2026 and named a Central Application Service as its replacement. When we checked on 17 September 2026, the CAS website said only that the project is under review, so do not rely on it as your only option.
See the 2027 application guide and mid-year intakes.
Frequently asked questions
When do 2027 TVET applications close?
The Minister said 30 September 2026. Individual colleges may set different dates for some programmes.
Can I apply to a TVET college in January 2027?
Only where a college still has space. Many programmes will be full by then.