There are many colleges in South Africa that offer numerous forms of tertiary education qualifications. With over 300 private colleges and 50 registered public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, there are many options to choose from. That is why we decided to take a look at some of the colleges in SA to help you make an informed decision about your tertiary education.
A tertiary education qualification can be vital to successfully start your career. They can provide you with the necessary skills that you will need every day in your chosen career. Allowing you to start on the right foot or increase your chances of getting promoted in your current career.
With so many benefits to tertiary education, you may be wondering what is the best way to gain these qualifications. Many people choose to go to university to obtain a tertiary qualification but these are not the only institutions that provide them.
College SA
One of the private distance learning colleges in SA, College SA is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It is owned and operated by Optimi as a TVET college.
They offer a number of courses that are accredited by numerous regulatory bodies. They offer accredited courses in Accounting and Bookkeeping, Business Management, Human Resource Management and various Technical courses. Additionally, they have a few short courses that they developed which are not accredited but still provide great value for money and relevant skills for various jobs. These include courses in Digital Photography, General Management, Tourism and much more. All of their courses are designed specifically for distance learning, with study material and easily contacted lecturers to ensure your success.
As College SA is a private college its students do not qualify for financial aid from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. However, they do offer payment plans through SmartFunder which provides credit specifically for education. Registrations at College SA are always open meaning you can get your educational journey started whenever you want. Which truly demonstrates the freedom and flexibility that distance education provides.
Central Johannesburg TVET College
One of the best public TVET colleges in SA the Central Johannesburg TVET College, or CJC, strives to provide practical qualifications for a wide range of industries. The college has 7 campuses all within a 10km radius of its Parktown central office. This keeps their students close to all the support services offered by the office.
They offer a number of nationally accredited programmes providing National Technical Education (NATED) and National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) qualifications. With NATED programmes in Building and Civil Engineering, Marketing Management, Music Performance and much more. They offer NC(V) qualifications in Cosmetology, Office Administration, Hospitality and more. This wide range of programmes almost guarantees that they will have a course to suit your needs. Additionally, CJC offers a number of short-skill programmes in collaboration with the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) to past students. These are ideal to advance your career and ensure you get promoted as they provide industry-specific insight and skills.
As a public TVET college CJC students can qualify for financial assistance from the NSFAS. This can help to make tertiary education more accessible to those who lack the means to pay tuition fees. Their registrations are currently closed for 2023 however, it is never too late to begin your educational journey. Therefore, be sure to register next year as this truly is one of the best TVET colleges in SA.
Damelin
One of the biggest private colleges in SA is Damelin. They have been providing quality career-focused education for over 80 years. They pride themselves on delivering outstanding private education. Additionally, they have campuses across the country in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and the North West provinces. Therefore, you are never far from one of their campuses.
Damelin College offers various qualifications within four different faculties. These faculties are Commerce, Humanities, Education, and Science & Technology. All of their qualifications are industry-recognised and fully accredited. Giving you peace of mind that you will receive a qualification that is respected and will prepare you for your career. Additionally, many of their programmes are offered in a variety of educational methods. These include full-time, part-time, and online distance learning. Meaning you can find a programme that suits your needs.
As a private college, Damelin students do not qualify for financial aid from the NSFAS. However, they have partnered with Standard Bank to provide some tuition discounts. Damelin applications are still open for 2023 meaning now is the best time to apply for this college for 2023.
Conclusion
Colleges in SA provide vital skills to South African students to ensure that they are prepared to start their careers. These institutions offer many great courses that will help to improve the quality of life for all graduates and decrease the amount of poverty in the country. Especially with public TVET college students being able to get financial aid from the NSFAS. We hope this article has helped you narrow down your options. Allowing you to make an informed decision about how you stats your educational journey.
