Department Of Higher Education And Training Private Colleges, Private Colleges are operated under the prescriptions of Chapter 6 of the Continuing Education and Training Act 16 of 2006. The Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training (or his designate) is the Registrar of private colleges.
No person other than a public college or an organ of state may provide technical vocational education and training unless registered or recognised as a juristic person in terms of the Companies Act or registered or provisionally registered as a private college in terms of the aforementioned Act (16 of 2006).
An application for registration as a private college must be made to the Registrar in the manner determined by the Registrar and must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
Act 16 of 2006 also determines the requirements for registration, the application process and the certification of the registration process.
Studying at a Private College
Cautionary: There are many excellent private Colleges, but from time to time, persons with fraudulent intentions may attempt to operate a private College illegally. The onus is on the public to ensure that the college is legitimate and above board. It is therefore advisable, if in any doubt, to check the credentials of a private College before registering or paying any fees.
You may telephone the DHET Helpline to verify a college on 0800 872 2222 or download the list.
About registering a private tertiary or higher education institution
Do you wish to offer tertiary (higher) education in South Africa? You must first register as a private higher education institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to have the legal authority to offer higher education programmes.
Private higher education institutions offer the same National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels (Levels 5 to 10) as public universities or universities of technology.
The purpose of registration is to ensure that:
- private institutions offer quality education
- the public is protected against unscrupulous and exploitative operators
- the student obtains qualifications that are aligned with the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) and registered on the NQF
- the education system meets the goals of transforming South Africa in accordance with government policy and legislation
- private institutions comply with the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997).
The programmes of private institutions must be registered with the DHET, accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the NQF by the South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa). The programmes must be recognised nationally as well as internationally.
At least 18 months before your institution wishes to operate you must submit an application for registration to the Registrar of Private Higher Education institutions. An Application for Conversion must be submitted by the date determined by the Registrar (Director-General).
What you should do
- Complete the prescribed application form.
- Submit the application form to the Registrar of Private Higher Education institutions.
- Submit the following documents with the application form:
- audited annual financial statements or audited financial forecasts
- business plan
- surety agreement
- company registration documents
- occupational health and safety compliance audit reports
- business registration certificate
- declaration on application for accreditation
- undertaking on institutional capacity
- declaration on monitoring and evaluation
- inter-institutional agreements, if any
- student prospectus, calendar or brochure
- enrolment forms, student contracts and rules and regulations.
- Foreign applicants must submit the following:
- declaration on equality of qualifications
- proof of recognition in the country of origin
- proof of accreditation in the country of origin
- an accreditation certificate from the HEQC and registration from Saqa
- signed declaration that the institution will not discriminate in any way
- in the case of changes, the details that must be changed
- declaration on monitoring and evaluation, as well as an undertaking on the official letterhead, dated and signed.
- Pay the prescribed fee.
Note: Please contact the Registrar about any changes you wish to make during the application process.
How long does it take
- First-time registration: 18 months before the institution opens for registration.
- For amendment: 12 months before the amendment comes into effect.
- For conversion: as determined by the Registrar.
How much does it cost
R500.
Forms to complete
Forms are available at the Department of Higher Education and Training:
- Application for registration as a Private Higher Education Institution, form APX -01
- Application for Amendment, form APX-02
- Application for Conversion, form APX-03
Who to contact
National Office
Tel: 012 312 5253/5320
Fax: 012 324 6343
City/town: Pretoria
Province: Gauteng
Physical address: Department of Education: Directorate: Private Higher Education Institutions, Sol Plaatje House, 123 Schoeman Street, Pretoria
Postal address: Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001