Buffalo City TVET College is a leading public technical and vocational education institution serving the Eastern Cape province, particularly the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Established in 2002 through a merger of East London College, Border Technical College, and John Knox Bokwe Careers College, the college delivers high-quality vocational qualifications that prepare students for immediate employment and further academic progression.
Strategically positioned in East London, the college operates across multiple campuses specializing in practical, industry-aligned training. The institution equips learners with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills, ensuring graduates are workplace-ready.
As a public TVET college, Buffalo City participates fully in NSFAS, providing crucial financial support to eligible students. Programme offerings span NCV qualifications, Report 191 (NATED) technical programmes, and specialized skills development programmes.
Semester 1 Applications (2026): New student applications open 1 September 2025 and close 30 September 2025. Returning students: 1 October to 31 October 2025.
Semester 2 Applications (2026): Applications open 11 February 2026 and close 11 March 2026. Engineering Intake Dates: January, May, and September. Business Intake Dates: January and July.
No application fee is required when applying to Buffalo City TVET College or any public TVET college. Application dates may be subject to updates — check www.bccollege.co.za for announcements.
Buffalo City TVET College offers affordable vocational education with fees generally ranging from approximately R2,000 to R30,000 depending on the qualification and level of study. Detailed fee structures are provided during registration on the college’s iEnabler system.
Most programmes are fully funded by NSFAS for qualifying students, meaning eligible learners from disadvantaged backgrounds can access quality training without direct financial burden. Students from households with annual income not exceeding R350,000 should apply for NSFAS bursaries.
As a public TVET institution, the combination of low tuition fees and widespread NSFAS eligibility makes the college an excellent choice for affordable, quality vocational training in the Eastern Cape.
For NCV programmes, applicants must have completed Grade 9 or higher, or possess a valid Senior Certificate. For Report 191 (NATED) programmes, N4 typically requires Grade 11 or equivalent, while N5 and N6 require completion of the previous NATED level.
All applicants must provide a valid South African ID number, proof of residence, certified copies of academic records, and proof of payment of applicable fees. The college operates an online application system via its iEnabler platform.
Applications are processed systematically with admission decisions within 2-4 weeks. The college is committed to fair, transparent, and efficient admission processes.
School of Business Campus in Selborne, East London focuses on business, management, and administrative qualifications. The Mdantsane Campus (approximately 6.7km from East London City Centre) serves surrounding communities. The St Marks Campus in Southernwood (043 743 6554) provides additional programme offerings.
The John Knox Bokwe Campus specializes in engineering programmes with state-of-the-art facilities for electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering. The King Street Campus offers apprenticeships, learnerships, and skills programmes.
Each campus is equipped with modern learning facilities, practical workshops, and industry-standard equipment to ensure students gain authentic workplace experience.
Apply online at www.bccollege.co.za via the iEnabler platform. Create a profile using a valid South African ID number and email address. Complete all required fields, upload supporting documents, and submit before the deadline.
For those needing assistance, the college offers in-campus application sessions with trained staff at any campus. No application fee is required.
After submitting, maintain regular communication with the college. If you don’t receive a decision within 2-4 weeks, contact admissions at admin@bccollege.co.za or phone 043 722 5453.
Main Office: Corner Lukin Road & King Street, East London, Southernwood, 5200
Telephone: +27 (0) 43 704 9200 | 043 704 9262/01
Fax: +27 (0) 43 743 0116
Email: admin@bccollege.co.za
Website: www.bccollege.co.za
St Marks Campus: 043 743 6554
National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes are full-time qualifications at NQF Levels 2-4 spanning three years, ideal for students who have completed Grade 9. Report 191 (NATED) programmes range from N1 to N6 — Engineering studies progress through all six levels; Business and Utility Studies are available from N4-N6.
Skills development programmes include Automotive Repair, Fitting & Turning, Motor Mechanics, Wholesale & Retail, Water Treatment, End User Computing, Security Practice, Sports Coaching, Accounting Technician, Furniture Making, Early Childhood Development, and Electrical programmes.
The college also facilitates Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and in-service traineeships for NCV Level 4 graduates.
Buffalo City TVET College is NSFAS-eligible — most programmes are fully funded by NSFAS for qualifying students. To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens from households with annual income not exceeding R350,000.
After receiving your student number, apply for funding at www.nsfas.org.za. NSFAS applications typically open between September and January each year. The fully-funded model means qualifying students incur no direct tuition costs.
For detailed NSFAS eligibility information and application procedures, visit www.nsfas.org.za or consult the college’s financial aid office at admin@bccollege.co.za.