VerifiedThe accreditation a college needs depends on what it teaches. South Africa has three quality councils and separate registration systems, and some careers also need a professional body’s approval. Knowing which applies to your programme protects you from worthless certificates.
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Registration, accreditation and NQF registration
| Term | What it means | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | The institution is legally allowed to operate as a private college or higher education institution | Department of Higher Education and Training |
| Accreditation | A quality council has approved the institution to offer a specific programme | CHE, Umalusi or QCTO |
| NQF registration | The qualification itself exists on the National Qualifications Framework | SAQA |
Which quality council for which programme
| Programme | Quality council |
|---|---|
| Higher certificates, diplomas, degrees | Council on Higher Education (CHE) |
| School, adult education and NC(V)-type qualifications | Umalusi |
| Occupational qualifications, trades and N4 to N6 programmes | Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) |
Careers with an extra layer
| Career | Professional body that must approve the programme |
|---|---|
| Nursing | South African Nursing Council (SANC) |
| Emergency medical care | Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) |
| Engineering | Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), for accredited degrees |
| Private security | Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) |
Public TVET colleges and universities are government institutions, but their programmes are still quality-assured by these councils.
To look up a specific college, follow our registration check steps.
Frequently asked questions
Who accredits private colleges in South Africa?
It depends on the programme: the CHE for higher education, Umalusi for school-level and NC(V)-type qualifications, and the QCTO for occupational qualifications.
Is SAQA an accreditation body?
SAQA registers qualifications on the NQF. Institutions and programmes are accredited by the quality councils.