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Discover all 50 public tvet colleges and their campuses across South Africa. find admission requirements, available courses, application dates, and direct application links- all in one place to help you start your career journey with confidence.......
TVET COLLEGES -NATED AND NCV COURSES:
NATED:
NATED are programmes mainly offered in Engineering and Business studies. students progress through N1-N6 after completing your N6 student are required to go workplace to gain experience, student may qualify for a National Diploma.
Engineering and Business (N4-N6): Applicants must have grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
NCV( NATIONAL CERTIFICATE VOCATIONAL):
NCV is a practical, career-focused programme offered in public TVET colleges. It combines classrooms learning with hands-on training to prepare students for employment, entrepreneurship or further education.
Applicant must have successfully completed Grade 9, 10, 11
Student can at NCV Level 2, progress to level 3, and complete level 4
An NCV level 4 qualification is validated at the same National Qualification Framework (NQF) level as the National Senior Certificate (Matric)
POPULAR NATED COURSES:
Business Management
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Management Assistance
Marketing Management
Public Management
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
POPULAR NCV COURSES:
Information Technology and Computer Science
Finance, Economics, and Accouting
Office Administration
Hospitality
Tourism
Engineering and Related Design
Primary Agriculture
Safety in Society
Transport and Logistics
NATED PROGRAMMES BEING PHASED OUT:
The Department of Higher Education and Training ( DHET) is gradually phasing out NATED ( Report 191) programmes and replacing them modern occupational qualification that are more closely aligned with industry needs. Existing students will be given an opportunity to complete their qualification during the transition period.
Some public TVET colleges have already stopped accepting new applicants for certain NATED programmes and have started offering new occupational qualification instead . however, this transition is not taking place at the same time across all coleges. Some colleges are stiil accepting application for selected NATED programmes while they complete the phased implementation.
TVET COLLEGES PLACEMENT TEST( COMPULSORY):
Before you can register at a TVET college, you must complete a placement test. This test is compulsory for all prospective students and helps the college determine the most suitable programme and level for you based on your academic abilities and career interest. According to the national TVET admission policy, no student should be admitted without first completing the placement test process.
The placement can be written online
THE PLACEMENT TEST MAY ASSESS:
English language skills
Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy
Reading and Comprehesion
Career interest and aptitude
NB: A placement test is not a pass-or -fail examination. It is used to guide students into the right programme and to identify those may need additional academic support to improve their chances of success.
NATED Programmes Being Phased Out
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is gradually phasing out older NATED/Report 191 programmes and introducing Occupational Qualifications as replacement programmes.
NATED Engineering Studies: N1–N3
The following NATED Engineering Studies levels have entered the phase-out process:
- N1 Engineering Studies
- N2 Engineering Studies
- N3 Engineering Studies
The final N2 examinations were conducted in April 2025, while the final N3 examinations for which Umalusi issued N3 certificates were conducted in 2025. Existing certificates remain valid.
NATED N4–N6 Programmes
The broader transition also affects NATED programmes at N4, N5 and N6 level.
These programmes include areas such as:
- Business Studies
- Engineering Studies
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Farming/Agriculture
- Management
- Financial Management
- Office-related programmes
- Other Report 191 programmes
However, N4–N6 students currently enrolled should not assume that their qualifications are immediately cancelled. DHET has introduced transitional and teach-out arrangements to allow affected students to complete their studies.
What Is Replacing NATED?
South Africa is progressively moving towards Occupational Qualifications and part-qualifications developed through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
The aim is to provide programmes that are more closely aligned with industry requirements and employment opportunities.
Important for Students:
If you are currently studying NATED:
✅ Continue following your college's official instructions.
✅ Check whether your specific qualification has received an extension.
✅ Complete outstanding theoretical and workplace requirements where applicable.
✅ Do not assume that an existing NATED qualification has lost its recognition.
If you are planning to start a new programme, check the latest programme offering with the TVET college before applying, as programme availability is changing during the transition.
ApplySmart SA will continue updating students about NATED phase-out developments, TVET programmes and replacement Occupational Qualifications.
What Is Replacing NATED Programmes?
South Africa is gradually moving from the traditional NATED/Report 191 system towards a modern Occupational Qualifications system administered through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
The replacement programmes are designed to give students more practical and workplace-based experience.
What Are Occupational Qualifications?
QCTO Occupational Qualifications generally combine:
Knowledge/Theory – learning the knowledge needed for the occupation
Practical Skills – applying what you have learned
🏢 Workplace Experience – gaining experience in a real or simulated workplace
This means the new system is designed to prepare students for actual occupations and workplace requirements.
Examples of Replacement Pathways
Depending on the field of study, students may move from traditional NATED programmes towards QCTO-registered Occupational Qualifications in areas such as:
- Business and Administration
- Finance and Accounting
- Information and Communication Technology
- Engineering and Technical occupations
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Agriculture
- Management
- Health and related occupations
- Other industry-specific occupational programmes
Important: There is not always a direct one-to-one replacement where one NATED programme simply becomes one new qualification. Students should check the official QCTO/SAQA qualification database to identify the appropriate replacement for their specific programme.
What About Students Already Studying NATED?
Students who are already enrolled should not automatically stop studying.
DHET has introduced transitional and teach-out arrangements for affected programmes. NATED students should follow the official arrangements applicable to their specific programme and institution.
What Should New Students Do?
If you are planning to start a programme at a TVET college, ask the college:
1. Is this programme still open for new enrolments?
2. Is it a NATED/Report 191 programme or a QCTO Occupational Qualification?
3. Has the NATED programme been approved for a transitional period?
4. What is the QCTO replacement qualification?
5. Is the institution accredited to offer the new occupational qualification?
Students should also verify that the training provider is properly accredited before registering. QCTO advises learners to check the accreditation status of the provider and the qualification being offered.
The Future of TVET Education
The move towards Occupational Qualifications is intended to create a more work-ready education and training system, with greater emphasis on practical skills and workplace experience.
For students choosing what to study, this means it is increasingly important to look beyond the name of a qualification and consider:
Qualification → Practical Skills → Workplace Experience → Career → Employment
ApplySmart SA will continue updating students as NATED programmes transition to their replacement Occupational Qualifications.
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