TVET Colleges Still Open for 2027 Applications (Plus July Intakes)
Missed the TVET college application deadline for 2027? You're not alone, and you're not out of options. Most public TVET colleges closed their main 2027 applications between the end of September and the end of October 2026. But TVET colleges work differently from universities: many courses start more than once a year, some programmes open later, and there are still ways to get in.
In this guide, we explain which 2027 applications have closed, list TVET colleges that run July (mid-year) intakes, and show you how to give yourself the best chance of starting at a TVET college in 2027.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. We only list a college as open if its own website or official social media page says so. Dates change quickly, so always confirm with the college before you apply.
How TVET College Intakes Work
This is why "missing the deadline" at a TVET college doesn't always mean waiting a whole year:
NC(V) (National Certificate Vocational), Levels 2 to 4: these run for a full year, so most colleges take new NC(V) students once a year, in January. If you've missed the NC(V) deadline, your main options are late or space-available places (see below) or applying for 2028.
Report 191 Business Studies (N4 to N6): these usually run in semesters, from January to June and July to December. If you miss January, you can often apply for the July intake.
Report 191 Engineering Studies (N1 to N6): these often run in trimesters of about 10 weeks, with national exams in April, August and November. That means there may be more than one intake a year.
Occupational programmes (QCTO): these are trade and skills qualifications, like Electrician, Welding or Early Childhood Development. Some colleges open applications for these at different times from their main programmes.
Have 2027 TVET Applications Closed?
For most colleges' main January 2027 intake, yes. Here are a few examples from the colleges' own websites and official pages:
College | What closed | Closing date |
|---|---|---|
Tshwane North TVET College | Online applications for 2027 NC(V) Level 2 | 30 September 2026 |
Eastcape Midlands TVET College | 2027 applications (and NSFAS) | 31 October 2026 |
Sources: Tshwane North TVET College and Eastcape Midlands TVET College on Facebook
NSFAS has closed too. NSFAS applications for 2027 closed on 31 October 2026, and NSFAS said they won't reopen in January 2027. NSFAS is also how TVET students get the DHET TVET Colleges Bursary, so if you haven't applied, you'll need to look at other ways to fund your studies (see below).
Be careful with "still open" lists online. Many websites copy old dates or label colleges "open" long after their deadlines have passed. Before you rely on any list, including this one, check the college's own website or official social media page, or phone the college.
TVET Colleges With July (Mid-Year) Intakes
Missed January? These colleges took applications for a July (mid-year) intake in 2026, so they're a good place to look for a second chance in 2027. Colleges haven't announced their mid-year 2027 dates yet, so use the 2026 windows below as a guide to when to start watching: most mid-year applications open and close between April and June.
College | Province | Mid-year programmes (2026) | 2026 mid-year application window |
|---|---|---|---|
Ehlanzeni TVET College | Mpumalanga | Engineering Studies trimester (N1 to N6) | Closed 10 April 2026 |
Northlink College | Western Cape | Occupational trades, such as Electrician, Welder, Fitter and Turner, Diesel Mechanic and Millwright | Closed 30 April 2026 |
Sedibeng TVET College | Gauteng | Semester 2 programmes | 1 to 30 April 2026 |
Capricorn TVET College | Limpopo | N4 to N6 Business Studies, such as Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management Assistant, Hospitality and Tourism | Closed 29 May 2026 |
Nkangala TVET College | Mpumalanga | July intake | The college says July intake applications close in May |
False Bay College | Western Cape | N4 to N6 Business Studies (distance learning) and Occupational Certificates | Closed 10 June 2026 |
Eastcape Midlands TVET College | Eastern Cape | N4 to N6 Business Studies run in semesters (January to June and July to December) | Not published; ask the college |
Sources: Varsity Wise: Ehlanzeni, Varsity Wise: Northlink, Varsity Wise: Sedibeng, StudentRoom: Capricorn, Nkangala TVET College, Varsity Wise: False Bay and Eastcape Midlands TVET College
What to know about mid-year intakes
Not every course has one. Mid-year intakes are mostly for N4 to N6 Business Studies, engineering trimesters and some occupational programmes. NC(V) programmes usually start only in January.
The windows are short. In 2026, most mid-year windows were open for about a month, so check the college's website and Facebook page from March 2027.
Ask about funding early. In 2026, False Bay College told mid-year students that NSFAS had a short window for second-semester students in July. NSFAS hasn't announced any mid-year dates for 2027, so check with your college's financial aid office.
What You Can Still Apply For in 2027
1. Apply for a mid-year (July) intake. Many colleges run Report 191 Business Studies (N4 to N6) in semesters, with a second intake in July. If you missed January, this is often your best option for 2027. See the table of colleges with July intakes above.
2. Look at engineering trimester intakes. Report 191 Engineering Studies often runs in trimesters of about 10 weeks, with national exams in April, August and November, so colleges may take new engineering students more than once a year. Ask your nearest college when its next engineering intake opens.
3. Ask about occupational programmes. Some colleges open applications for occupational (QCTO) programmes, such as trades and Early Childhood Development, at different times from their main programmes. For example, Eastcape Midlands TVET College opened applications for its 2027 occupational programmes in October 2026. Check with your college whether these are still open.
4. Ask about late or space-available places in January. Some colleges fill spaces left open at registration time with late applicants, but this varies from college to college and isn't guaranteed. Phone the campus that offers your course in early January to ask, and have your documents ready.
5. Apply early for 2028. Most colleges open their main applications for the following year around August or September. If you can't start in 2027, use the time to plan your course, gather your documents and apply as soon as 2028 applications open.
How to Apply for a Later 2027 Intake
Choose your course and college. Decide what you want to study, then find the colleges near you that offer it. Remember that not every campus offers every course.
Check the college's own website and social media. Look for the next intake date for your course, and follow the college on Facebook, where colleges often post application news first.
Phone the campus. Ask when applications open for the next intake of your course, whether there are late or space-available places, and what documents you need.
Get your documents ready. Most colleges ask for these, usually as PDFs for online applications:
a certified copy of your ID
your latest school results (or your matric certificate)
proof of residence
Apply as soon as the window opens. Places on many courses are limited, and colleges often fill them in the order applications come in.
Never pay anyone to "secure" a place. Apply only through the college's official website or at the campus itself.
For help choosing a college, see our list of the top 10 TVET colleges to apply to.
How to Fund Your TVET Studies if You Missed NSFAS
NSFAS applications for 2027 closed on 31 October 2026. If you didn't apply, here are some other options:
Learnerships: earn while you learn, often with a monthly stipend. See our list of learnerships for 2027.
Bursaries that are still open: some bursaries for 2027 are still taking applications. See our updated list of bursaries for 2027.
Ask your college: speak to the financial aid office at your campus about any other support available.
Fund your TVET studies with Fundi
If you don't have NSFAS funding, or it doesn't cover everything, Fundi can help. You can apply for a Fundi study loan to cover tuition, accommodation and other study costs, and use the Fundi loan calculator to see what your monthly repayments would look like. Need a laptop for your course? The Fundi Shop lets you finance one alongside your other study costs.
Fundi Capital (Pty) Ltd is a registered credit provider (NCRCP 158). Credit is subject to an affordability assessment. T&Cs apply. Loan applicants must be 18 or older, so if you're under 18, speak to a parent or guardian about applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are TVET colleges still open for 2027 applications?
Most colleges have closed their main applications for the January 2027 intake. But you may still be able to apply for a July (semester) or engineering trimester intake, an occupational programme, or a late or space-available place. Check with the college directly.
Can I apply to a TVET college in January?
Some colleges accept late or space-available applications around registration in January, but it isn't guaranteed. Phone the campus that offers your course early in January.
When is the next TVET college intake after January?
For many Report 191 Business Studies courses, the next intake is in July. Engineering courses often run in trimesters, so there may be intakes during the year too.
Can I still apply for NSFAS for 2027?
No. NSFAS applications for 2027 closed on 31 October 2026 and won't reopen in January 2027.
Are TVET colleges open for applications all year round?
Not for every course. Some intakes happen more than once a year, but each intake has its own application window. Always check the dates for your specific course.
Don't Give Up on 2027
Missing the main deadline isn't the end of the road. Ask about July and trimester intakes, occupational programmes and late places, look at other funding options, and get your documents ready so you can apply the moment the next window opens.
For more application guides, bursary updates and study tips, keep checking FundiConnect.
You can also follow FundiConnect on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Sources: Tshwane North TVET College, Nkangala TVET College, Eastcape Midlands TVET College and its official Facebook page, and the NSFAS FAQs.
The FundiConnect Editorial Team researches, writes, and maintains comprehensive guides on South African higher education, bursaries, NSFAS funding, and career development. Our content is verified against official institutional sources, DHET publications, and direct admissions office communications to ensure accuracy for students navigating their post-school journey.
Prefer FundiConnect on Google
Add us as a preferred source and see more of our guides in your Search results.
How to Apply to Eastcape Midlands TVET College Online
EMC's 2027 applications and NSFAS both close on 31 October 2026, and occupational programmes are now open. Here's how to apply online, step by step.
How to Apply to UJ for 2027
UJ's 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 12:00, with no late applications. Here's how to apply for free, step by step.
How to Calculate Your APS Score at UJ (2027)
UJ leaves out Life Orientation and counts six subjects, up to a maximum APS of 42. Here's how to work out your score, with two worked examples.
