The private college sector in South Africa has grown steadily in recent years and offers a wide range of quality options for young people who are looking for an alternative to the public universities and TVET Colleges.
Private colleges can offer courses for students who are studying after Matric and these can range from Certificate, to diploma, degree and all the way up to Doctorate level. These colleges will be accredited with the official South African authorities that are responsible for quality assurance of educational qualifications in South Africa.
This could either be the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Umalusi, or the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).
These are same bodies that provider quality assurance for the universities and TVET Colleges. In this way it ensures that the standard of a Certificate, Diploma or Degree that is awarded by a private institution is at the same academic level as one awarded by a university or TVET College.
Private Universities in South Africa
Under South African law only the 26 public universities are able to use that word 'university' in their name. So the private colleges that offer degrees and diplomas that are at the same academic level as a university are not able to call themselves private universities. Therefore these private colleges that offer courses that are at university level are officially known as 'Higher Educational Institutions'.
Colleges that offer Certificates and Diplomas that are at the same level as TVET Colleges are generally referred to as private colleges.
In April 2024 the Department of Higher Education and Training issued a document about possible regulations that might cover private universities in South Africa in the future. So it looks like the current rules may be changing and in the future South Africa's 26 public universities might be bolstered by additional private universities.
Accreditation and Registration
Private companies have a right to operate as colleges in SA but they must by law be registered and accredited with the government. Accreditation is about ensuring that the teaching is at the same standard as that offered at universities or TVET Colleges. It mustn't be easier or harder when studying at a private college. This is to ensure that as a society we can have faith in the educational value of the qualifications earned by students at these private institutions.
The process of registration is more focused on ensuring that the college is financially viable and well run. This is to ensure that students are protected and can have some security that the college is reliable and will continue in operation for a number of years.
This is particularly important when a student registers for a multi-year course. You don't want to come back next year and find that the college has closed down, leaving you with only one year's study towards a three-year qualification.
This does mean that students entering the private education sector must make certain that the college they want to study at is fully registered and accredited. That means investigating and checking the credentials of the college, and ensuring that they are currently accredited for the specific course that you want to study.
Private Colleges Offer General or Specific Study Options
Some private colleges, and Higher Education Institutions, offer a wide range of courses and will be similar to the offerings of a university or TVET College. However there are also private colleges that are able to specialise and provide a greater degree of specialisation than is normally available at a university or College.
Common areas of specialisations for colleges include fashion colleges, sound colleges, marketing/advertising colleges, cooking schools, and others.
Search for private colleges and higher education institutions on our Where To Study Directory.
NSFAS Bursaries
One of the most popular questions asked is whether NSFAS will provide bursaries for students who are studying at private colleges. The answer unfortunately is no. NSFAS will only provide bursaries and loans for students are public universities or TVET Colleges and does not provide funding for any studies are private colleges.
Students who want to study at a private college and need financial assistance do have a range of options as there are student loans and some bursaries that do support studies at these colleges. Many of the colleges themselves will provide financial support for a limited number of students each year who are struggling to pay the fees.
