Should you choose to study at a Private College? And which Private Colleges are Accredited
As a Matric student, one of the most challenging decisions you will have to make is to choose where you will complete your tertiary studies. There are many factors to consider, such as location and price (just to name a few).
It’s important to note that not everyone will be accepted into South African public universities (this could be for many reasons, such as an inadequate APS score – be sure to view our previous article where we discussed APS score for university entrance) Therefore, studying at a private institution may be a better option.
Why should you choose a Private College?
With so many accredited and praised South African Universities, why should one choose to study at college? For starters, enrolling at a college is a lot easier than universities as colleges have requirements that are less strict. This allows anyone to engage in tertiary studies and establish a solid foundation for a professional career.
Benefits of a Private College
- Affordability: On the financial scale, college admission is far cheaper than that of universities. Unlike universities, colleges will very seldom put a student in the financial obligation of having to take out a student loan. Some students attending college may also be able to acquire government loans through organizations such as NSFAS (be sure to view our previous article on NSFAS allowances). If your potential college does not offer these various funding options, you could try and negotiate a suitable payment plan that can suit both parties’ needs.
- Short courses: Colleges offer a number of courses that can be completed in a shorter period, such as Beauty, Educare, Film Studies, and Call Centre Management. These short courses are convenient and provide you with the basic tools and knowledge you need to establish your professional career. In college, you will also have the option to study via distance learning. This means that you may not even need to attend classes, allowing you the opportunity to spend more time on other projects and goals.
- Work-ready Training: College courses are specifically designed to equip you with the skills needed to complete a particular job. In doing this, college students are often better equipped for a position than university graduates. College students not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also hands-on experience, allowing them to be ready for the workplace once they have completed their course.
Which South African Private College should you attend?
While some students may prefer to complete their studies at universities, others might prefer colleges. If you choose the latter, it is important to know what institutions are available in your area, their location, the costs, and the admission process.
To aid you in in your decision making:
Here is a list of Registered South African Private Colleges (the list was last updated on 1 March 2024)
Here is a list of Registered South African Private Higher Education Institutions (the list was last updated on 17 March 2024)
Here is a list of Registered South African Public TVET Colleges
How do you check the credibility of a college?
Owing to colleges being so affordable and many people seeking an education, there are unfortunate cases of many falling for scams with their chosen college not being accredited. Therefore, it is vital that before you apply to any college, you do ample research to ensure that the college is registered. If you study at an institution that is not registered, your qualification will be invalid. To avoid disappointment and wasting any money, be sure to follow these two steps:
1. Check your college’s accreditation status: Is your potential college registered and accredited? In order for a college to be accredited and for your acquired qualification to be recognised, the college has to be registered with the DHET. It’s important to note that Private Colleges (not public institutions) can also be accredited with Umalusi. Should your chosen college not have their accreditation advertised on their website, it’s best not to consider it.
2. Check the accreditation status of the courses your college offers: Some courses colleges offer, such as NATED courses, may be accredited. However, it is vital that your college display which courses they offer and what accreditation they have. Some colleges do have self-created courses (also known as provider programmes) which often do not have accreditation. Therefore, should your chosen college not state their course accreditation (or only seem to have provider programmes) then it’s best to keep looking, as these courses can not be used for university applications. On the flip side, provider programmes may help you in job hunting as it can improve your CV and help you gain a new skill set (there are both pros and cons.)
What are some other things one should do when searching for a college?
Now that you have checked your potential college’s registration status and courses, it is vital that you also check:
- If your potential college is affiliated with other accredited institutions such as the government or ICB
- If your college is visible online and if they have a website with student reviews
- If students can truly find professional work after completing the college’s courses
- If the course fees are transparent and the same for each student
- If the college has a head office and reachable contacts
If you are still unsure whether you should choose to study at a public or private higher education institution, read our article where we discuss the differences between Public and Private Institutions and weigh up the pros and cons of each.
Read our other tips and articles here:
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
Are you following us on social media? We post our latest bursary opportunities and reminders of bursaries closing soon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
This post was last updated in March 2024.
SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.