VerifiedThe best place depends on which electrical career you want. The route to becoming an electrician is different from the route to becoming a registered engineer, and each is taught at a different kind of institution.
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Match the institution to the career
| Career goal | Where to study | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Public TVET colleges offering the Occupational Certificate: Electrician (about 35 colleges) | Workshops, workplace placement, trade test preparation |
| Electrical engineering technician | Universities of technology (diploma) | ECSA-accredited diploma |
| Electrical engineering technologist | Universities of technology (BEngTech) | ECSA accreditation |
| Professional electrical engineer | Universities (BEng or BSc Eng) | ECSA-accredited degree |
Questions to ask any institution
- Is the programme accredited by ECSA (for engineering) or the QCTO (for trades)?
- How do students get workplace experience?
- What are the mathematics and science entry marks?
- What does it cost, and is NSFAS available?
A few TVET examples
- Centres of Specialisation for electricians include Port Elizabeth, East Cape Midlands and the two Ekurhuleni colleges.
- Orbit Brits Campus holds a Centre of Specialisation in the electrical trade.
- Northlink offers electrician training at Belhar Campus, with apprenticeships.
Rankings online rarely separate these routes. A strong trade college may be the best choice for an electrician even if it would not suit a future engineer.
See choosing a TVET college for electrical and engineering universities.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I study to become an electrician?
At public TVET colleges offering the Occupational Certificate: Electrician, about 35 on the DHET 2026 list.
Do I need a university to become an electrical engineer?
Yes. Professional engineers need an ECSA-accredited degree.