{"id":328,"date":"2024-06-19T21:25:37","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T21:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/tvet\/?page_id=328"},"modified":"2026-09-16T21:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:33:28","slug":"what-is-the-difference-between-tvet-colleges-and-universities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/tvet\/what-is-the-difference-between-tvet-colleges-and-universities\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between TVET Colleges And Universities?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Both are public post-school institutions funded by government, and NSFAS supports eligible students at both. The difference is what they train you for: TVET colleges prepare you for a specific occupation or trade, while universities focus on academic and professional qualifications that need matric with a university-level pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side by side<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>Public TVET college<\/th>Public university<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Number in South Africa<\/td>50 colleges, over 300 campuses<\/td>26 universities, including universities of technology<\/td><\/tr>
Main qualifications<\/td>NC(V), occupational certificates, trades, skills programmes<\/td>Higher certificates, diplomas, degrees, postgraduate study<\/td><\/tr>
Lowest entry point<\/td>Grade 9 for the NC(V)<\/td>Matric with a higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s pass<\/td><\/tr>
Quality assurance<\/td>Umalusi (NC(V)) and the QCTO (occupational)<\/td>Council on Higher Education<\/td><\/tr>
NQF levels<\/td>Mostly 2 to 5<\/td>5 to 10<\/td><\/tr>
Style of learning<\/td>Workshops, practicals and workplace learning<\/td>Lectures, research and theory, with practicals in some fields<\/td><\/tr>
Cost<\/td>Lower fees<\/td>Higher fees<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Which suits you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n