VerifiedSouth Africa has 50 public TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges. They fall under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and most run several campuses. Every college handles its own applications, so you apply directly to the college you want rather than through one national system.
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Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have the most colleges; the Northern Cape has two. Browse all 50 with contact details in our TVET college directory.
Public TVET colleges by province
| Province | Colleges | Names (linked where we have an application guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 8 | Central Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni East, Ekurhuleni West, Sedibeng, South West Gauteng, Tshwane North, Tshwane South, Western |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 9 | Coastal, Elangeni, Esayidi, Majuba, Mnambithi, Mthashana, Thekwini, Umfolozi, Umgungundlovu |
| Eastern Cape | 8 | Buffalo City, Eastcape Midlands, Ikhala, Ingwe, King Hintsa, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Lovedale, Port Elizabeth |
| Limpopo | 7 | Capricorn, Lephalale, Letaba, Mopani South East, Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Waterberg |
| Western Cape | 6 | Boland, College of Cape Town, False Bay, Northlink, South Cape, West Coast |
| Free State | 4 | Flavius Mareka, Goldfields, Maluti, Motheo |
| Mpumalanga | 3 | Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande, Nkangala |
| North West | 3 | Orbit, Taletso, Vuselela |
| Northern Cape | 2 | Northern Cape Rural, Northern Cape Urban |
What you can study
| Qualification | What it is | Status for 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| National Certificate (Vocational), NC(V) | Levels 2 to 4, one year per level; entry from Grade 9; quality assured by Umalusi | Continues, but six programmes take no new Level 2 students from January 2027 |
| Report 191 (NATED) N4 to N6 | Theory courses in business and engineering studies | Being taught out; confirm the last intake for your course with the college |
| Report 191 N1 to N3 | Engineering trade theory | Closed to new students since 2024 |
| Occupational qualifications | Knowledge, practical and workplace modules, quality assured by the QCTO | Replacing N-courses in many fields |
The six NC(V) programmes closing to new Level 2 students under DHET circular TC 0153 are Finance, Economics and Accounting; Management; Marketing; Education and Development; Office Administration; and Process Plant Operations.
Paying for your studies
NSFAS bursaries cover tuition at public TVET colleges for South Africans from households earning up to R350,000 a year, plus allowances. Private colleges are not funded. See how TVET students apply for NSFAS.
Applying
- Most colleges open applications for the following year between August and October.
- Many ask you to complete a career questionnaire or placement test first.
- Applications are mostly online; campuses help people without internet access.
Start with the TVET online applications guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many public TVET colleges does South Africa have?
Fifty, with at least two in every province.
Which province has the most TVET colleges?
KwaZulu-Natal, with nine. Gauteng and the Eastern Cape have eight each.
Can I apply to all TVET colleges on one website?
No. Each public college runs its own application process.