As the matric class of 2023 is ready to start the journey towards their higher education, out of the 700 604 candidates who wrote the national senior certificate examinations, only 240 000 will be admitted to the 26 public and private universities for the 2023 academic year.
Unless you are going to study at a public institution, it is important to verify that the private institution you wish to enrol in is accredited. While you will find thousands of colleges in South Africa, especially in the city centres, not all of them are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. Should you, therefore, enrol to attend at such an institution, your qualification will not be recognised in the South African education system and consequently, employers will also not recognise you as a candidate with a qualification.
It is therefore crucial that any student enrolling at a private institution of higher learning takes the responsibility to verify if the institution is accredited. It is important that the private institution and the course you want to enrol for are accredited. Here’s how you can verify:
How to check if a college is accredited in South Africa
Umalusi (the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training) is the official body that accredits and regulates private education providers to offer professional qualifications that are recognised on the NQF (National Qualifications Framework). Umalusi accredits private TVET (also known as FET) colleges, independent schools and private adult education and training providers.
To check if the institution you want to enrol in is accredited, visit this website: https://www.umalusi-online.org.za/enquiries
To check the list of registered private colleges, visit the Department of Higher Education on this link: https://www.dhet.gov.za/Registers_DocLib/Register%20of%20Private%20Colleges%20%205%20Novemer%202021%20%281%29%20%282%29.pdf
SAQA accredited institutions in South Africa
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the oversight body of the NQF and the custodian of its values and quality character. Should you wish to confirm the status of the qualification the college you wish to enrol for is offering, use this link to verify, visit: www.saqa.org.za
Training providers are required to register with the Department of Higher Education and Training. Training providers must also be accredited to offer registered qualifications and skills programmes by the relevant Quality Councils (QCs).
The three QCs are the:
Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) for general and further education and training qualifications
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for work-based qualifications
Council on Higher Education (CHE) for higher education qualifications
For a list of providers accredited to offer qualifications and skills programmes, please contact the relevant QC on the contact details provided below.
Umalusi: 012 349 1510 or www.umalusi.org.za
QCTO: 012 003 1800 or www.qcto.org.za
CHE: 012 349 3840 or www.che.ac.za
Department of Education accredited colleges
To get a list of private higher education institutions click on this link: https://www.dhet.gov.za/Registers_DocLib/Register%2015%20October%202021.pdf
To get a list of TVET colleges per province, click on this link:
https://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/Map.aspx
The DHET also has a toll-free number that the public can call to check if an institution is registered. The number is 0800 87 2222.
You can also call the Central Application Clearing House on 0800 356 635
