Attending university after matriculating high school is a privilege not every South African gets to experience. This can be because of low marks or financial barriers amongst other reasons. However, university is not the only way to attain higher education. A registered college that offers high-quality education might be a better fit for you!
We have compiled a comprehensive list of some of the best registered private colleges in South Africa where you choose to study and further your education after high school. But before we reveal the list, we want to make sure you don’t fall victim to any bogus institutions that will leave you with a hole in your wallet and nothing to show for it.
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How to Check if a College is Registered in South Africa
Any college, whether private or public, must be able to provide you with proof that they are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Being registered means that they are able to confer a recognised qualification. Registered colleges will typically offer two qualifications: the Higher Certificate (obtained over a year of full time study) and the Diploma (obtained over a three year period of full time study).
Here are some of the ways you can determine whether the private college you want to attend is in fact registered and accredited:
- Check whether the college is listed on the Department of Education website.
- Email RegistrarFET@doe.gov.za to enquire about the college’s registration status.
- Get verification from Umalusi about the college’s accreditation. You can contact them on 012 349 1510.
The following is a list of some of the best registered and accredited private colleges in South Africa.
Colleges in the Western Cape
ACT Cape Town
ACT Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most sought-after film academies. The college provides you with hands-on training from some of the top acting coaches in the South African film and television industries.
ACT Cape Town has a wide range of courses on offer such as:
All these courses incorporate the production of short films or scenes that are created by and star ACT Cape Town’s acting students which you can freely use for your own reels.
BHC School of Design
BHC School of Design offers higher education in the Interior Design and Decorating fields. The college, formerly known as Boston House College School of Design, is based in Woodstock, Cape Town. You can choose between a Higher Certificate or Diploma course as well as a range of short courses.
You can choose to enrol for courses in:
Cape Audio College
Cape Audio College is considered the oldest and most established audio training institute in South Africa. The college is based in Observatory, Cape Town, and boasts state of the art studios, a research library, and an online radio station.
Their aim is to provide you with the best education in Sound Technology, with a variety of courses to choose from like:
- Sound Technology and Production
- Modern Music Production
- DJ Fundamentals
- Introduction to Sound Engineering
- Music Business Principles
- Introduction to Podcasting and Digital Broadcasting
Cape Town College of Fashion Design
Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD) is based in Mowbray, Cape Town, and is considered one of the oldest Fashion Design institutions in South Africa. The multi-racial, multicultural college aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and work ethic to become highly employable in the fashion industry.
The college offers three different qualifications: a three year Diploma in Fashion Design), an Advanced Diploma (gain work experience and specialisation), and foundational one year fashion design courses. A range of short courses are also available.
Subject on offer include:
- Garment Technology
- Fashion Design
- Digital Fashion Application
- Introduction to Fashion Business & Marketing Principles
- Introduction to Textiles.
Cornerstone Institute
The Cornerstone Institute celebrates diversity and focuses on the development of future leaders. The college offers degree programmes, Higher Certificates and short courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. You have the option of studying online or on campus.
Cornerstone Institute even has a ‘Four Year Solution’ for students who did not achieve a bachelor’s pass in grade 12. It gives you access to the college’s certificate programmes, to bridge you into a degree programme. Which gives you the option of pursuing a postgraduate qualification.
Cornerstone has the following departments to choose from:
- Education
- Psychology
- Sociology and community development
- Theology
- Business Studies
- Media Studies
eta College
eta College is a sport and fitness training college based in Cape Town, with campuses across South Africa. You can choose to enrol for courses in coaching science, fitness, and management qualifications in sport, fitness, and recreation. All with the option of face-to-face or distance learning.
eta College deems itself benchmarked against the best international standards in sport and fitness, making an ideal choice for students looking to enter this field.
Friends of Design - Academy of Digital Arts
The aim of Friends of Design – Academy of Digital Arts is to bridge the gap between education and the digital design industry. The Academy of Digital Arts is located in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre and offers a range of courses in:
- Graphic Design
- Web Design and Development
- Game and Interactive Media Development
- Concept Art
All of the lecturers at the college are practising professionals in their fields. So, they’ll equip you with invaluable real-world knowledge and contacts for your future career in design.
George Whitefield College
George Whitefield College (GWC) is a theological college based in Cape Town, South Africa. It equips you with the knowledge and skills needed for ministry in Africa and abroad. The college also gives you an opportunity to live in a diverse community of African nationalities.
The main qualifications on offer are:
International Hotel School
The International Hotel School is considered the leading hotel school in Africa. You can choose to study full-time, part-time, or even online.
International Hotel School, based in Cape Town, offers qualifications in:
- Hospitality management
- Events management
- Food and beverage management
- Culinary programs
You even get extensive work experience, with the practical components of some of the programmes involving time spent working in the hospitality sector. The college refunds your tuition fees if you fail your first year exams.
Isa Carstens Academy
Isa Carstens Academy is a Health and Skin Care Training Academy with campuses in Stellenbosch and Pretoria.
Isa Carstens Academy offers qualifications in:
- Higher Certificate in Front Office Administration
- Diploma in Somatology
- Advanced Diploma in Dermal Aesthetics
You can also register for online courses in salon and spa management, laser therapies and other health and beauty therapies.
STADIO Higher Education
STADIO Higher Education is the result of a merger between four highly prestigious institutions, namely Embury Institute for Higher Education, LISOF, Prestige Academy, and Southern Business School. These former colleges all have a collective experience of over 100 years in providing quality and affordable higher education.
The college provides over 50 courses across ten campuses via contact, blended, or distance learning in:
- Arts and Design
- Administration and Management
- Commerce
- Education
- Law
- Science and Technology
Red and Yellow Creative School of Business
The founders of the Red & Yellow School Creative School of Business believed that magic and logic were necessities for successful innovation. This is why creative, logical thinking is emphasised and encouraged at the college.
The courses offered by Red & Yellow equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter and succeed in the working world. Some of the programmes you can enroll for at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business are:
- Design Techniques
- Digital Content Creation
- Marketing and Advertising Communications
- User-Centred Design
- Visual Communication
South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)
The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) grounds itself in applied psychology to produce students who blend critical thinking, creativity, and skill to respond to the needs of society. SACAP engaging approach to learning, practical experience, and small-sized classes equips you with confidence to enter the working world as a practitioner.
The college’s main campus is in Cape Town, but has campuses across Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. You can also opt for online classes.
Some of the courses available at SACAP are:
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Social Sciences
- Applied Social Sciences
- Counselling and Communication Skills
- Coaching
The Animation School
The Animation Career Review has ranked The Animation School as one of the Top 25 animation training programs in the world! The college has campuses in Cape Town and Johannesburg, offering a three-year full-time Diploma in Digital Animation and intensive short courses in the field of animation.
TSIBA Education
TSIBA Education is considered a leading business school in South Africa. They aim to provide students with world-class undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications.
TSIBA Education, based in Mowbray, Cape Town, offers the following qualifications:
- Higher Certificate in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
Colleges in the Eastern Cape
Ed-U City Campus
Ed-U City Campus is located in Port Elizabeth and aims to produce self motivated individuals who can compete in a global business environment or become successful entrepreneurs.
Ed-U City Campus offers contact and distance learning in a variety of courses, such as the following:
- Business Studies
- Short Skills Programmes
- Information Technology
- Public Relations
- Tourism Management
- Hospitality Management
Stenden South Africa
Stenden South Africa is an International Branch Campus of NHL Stenden in the Netherlands. The college is based in Port Alfred and takes on a student-centred approach to higher education with its unique educational methods like Case Based Learning, Problem Based Learning, and Real World Learning.
You can enroll for full-degree programmes in theirs schools of:
- Disaster Management
- Hotel Management
Colleges in KwaZulu Natal
Berea College of Technology
Berea College of Technology (BCT) has three campuses in the heart of central Durban that fall under the umbrella of Berea Group of Colleges.
The college offers full time and part-time courses in:
Commerce and Computer College of South Africa
The Commerce and Computer College of South Africa (CCSA) is an innovative training centre based in Durban. The college’s aim is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to become an essential resource in developing technical solutions for companies and give you a competitive edge in your future career.
The courses you can enroll for at CCSA are available in contact, online and distance learning formats and focuses on I.T. and Computer Network Engineering.
Colleges in Gauteng
AAA School of Advertising
AAA School of Advertising is known as the official higher education institution for the South African Advertising Industry, training students in advertising, design and marketing. The college takes on a holistic approach to teaching, allowing you to integrate theory with practice through live briefs that you work on in agency-simulated teams.
AAA School of Advertising has campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town. You can choose to enroll for courses in:
- Marketing Communication
- Creative Brand Communication
- Visual Communication
Academy for Facilities Management
The Academy for Facilities Management (A4FM) is a private college specialising in providing knowledge and training in facilities management. The college, based in Pretoria, offers distance learning for all of its programmes and even has short courses that range between one to five days.
At the Academy for Facilities Management, you can study towards:
Academy of Sound Engineering
The Academy of Sound Engineering aims to provide you with high quality sound engineering education and training to succeed in your chosen field. The college has campuses in Cape Town and Johannesburg that offer full-time and part-time courses in:
- Audio Technology & Sound Engineering
- Television & Screen Media
- Part-Time & Skills Programs
AFDA
AFDA is considered the top Film, TV and Performance school in South Africa, becoming the only African film school to win the Best Foreign Student Film Academy Award in 2006.
AFDA has campuses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth training you to succeed in the entertainment industry. Some of the courses you can enroll in are:
Belgium Campus
Belgium Campus consider themselves a pioneering ITversity in South Africa that keeps you plugged into the evolution of technology. You can enroll for qualifications in IT that lead to careers in artificial intelligence, programming, web development, user experience design, software engineering, and data science.
Belgium Campus offers full-time, part-time, and short courses in some of the following:
- Computing
- Information Technology
- Database Development
- Systems Development
Some of the job opportunities you’ll gain as a Belgium Campus graduate might not even exist yet!
Boston City Campus and Business College
Boston City Campus aims to provide you with world-class higher education from experts in their fields. The college provides proactive monitoring, a mentoring system, and online educators to support your learning every step of the way.
Boston City Campus has campuses across South Africa and offer a wide range of qualifications to choose from like:
- Accounting
- Advertising and Communication
- Business Admin
- Health, Sports & Wellness
- Hospitality, Events & Tourism
- I.T.
- Human Resource Management
- Lifestyle Courses
- Management
- Personal Development
Boston Media House
Boston Media House offers students with the knowledge and skills to qualify for a career in media. The college, based in Sandton, combines their tech-rich learning environment with practical experience to prepare you for this fast and exciting industry.
Some of the courses you can enroll for at Boston Media House are:
- Media Operations Management
- Media Practices,
- Journalism
- Radio and TV production
- Short courses
Da Vinci Institute
The Da Vinci Institute is guided by some of the broad leadership principles of the late Nelson Mandela and Leonardo Da Vinci.
The college is located in Lethabong and aims to widen the access to education by providing courses in Business Management and Management of Technology and Innovation.
Empilweni Education
Empilweni Education is a private Nursing College located in Randburg. The college is associated with private hospitals as well as clinical facilities for student practicals, and equips you with the relevant knowledge and skills to become a nurse.
Foundation for Professional Development
The Foundation for Professional Development’s aim is to provide you with high quality education and training. The college is situated in Pretoria and offers a wide variety of full time, online, and short courses such as:
- Business Studies
- Health Sciences
- Education
- Nursing
- Occupational Health
- Information Technology
- Free Courses
Greenside Design Center College of Design
Greenside Design Center College of Design (GDC) is an internationally acclaimed design college based in Randburg that aims to nurture creative and innovative thinkers.
The college’s design courses are benchmarked against local and international standards and modelled on workplace scenarios. This ensures that you’ll be able to apply your skills in the working world after graduating.
You can enroll for qualifications at the college in:
Health and Fitness Professionals Academy
The Health and Fitness Professionals Academy (HFPA) provides training for aspiring sport and fitness professionals. The college has campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and equips you with all the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the sport and fitness industry locally or overseas.
The courses on offer at HFPA are available in a full time, part-time, distance, and online format.
Henley Business School
Henley Business School takes on a holistic approach to learning, blending theory with practice. The college, based in Sandton, offers Management Practice courses that will give you the ability to master yourself and lead and manage others in the workplace after graduating.
Colleges in Limpopo
Southern African Wildlife College
The Southern African Wildlife College aims to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to conserve and protect our continent’s natural resources and biodiversity. Its main campus is located on the West of Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate.
The courses offered at the Southern African Wildlife College develop and open up career opportunities for aspiring conservationists. Some of the programmes you can enroll for are:
- Natural Resource Management
- Field Ranger Training
- Responsible Resource Use
- Community and Youth Development
Why Attending a Private College is a Great Option
Most colleges are often more affordable than other higher education institutions. Some even have bursary schemes, study loans or payment plans that might suit your financial situation and help you attain your dream qualifications. All you have to do is visit their website or contact them directly for more information on funding. Here’s some helpful information we’ve put together on funding options for higher education. And If you are still looking for funding, Fundi offers student loans to help cover tuition, study material and more.
So, what are you waiting for? See if you qualify for a Fundi study loan with our Loan Calculator and apply to the institutions of your dreams today!
