VerifiedThe 50 public TVET colleges do not need DHET registration: they are government colleges. The question matters for private colleges, which must be registered or accredited. Here is how to check a college yourself, with real examples of what you might find.
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Step-by-step check
- Is the college one of the 50 public TVET colleges? If yes, it is a government institution.
- If not, search the DHET register of private colleges (for NC(V) and adult education).
- For higher certificates, diplomas and degrees, search the DHET register of private higher education institutions.
- For N4 to N6 and occupational programmes, search the QCTO provider databases.
- Check that your exact programme and campus are listed, and the accreditation end date.
What real checks can show
| College | Result of checks in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Rostec Technical FET College | Registered private college, number 2010/FE07/027 |
| Richfield | Registered private higher education institution; separate private college registration cancelled |
| UniCollege | Not on DHET registers; QCTO accreditation active for some programmes and expired for others |
| Jeppe College | Not on DHET registers; says it is accredited, but publishes no number |
A registration number printed on a website is not proof. Old numbers can be expired or belong to a different programme.
Red flags
- No registration or accreditation details at all.
- Claims that NSFAS funds a private college.
- Pressure to pay before you receive a contract.
- Offers of N1 to N3 engineering, which private colleges may no longer provide.
See the list of 50 public TVET colleges and what accreditation a college should have.
Frequently asked questions
Are public TVET colleges registered with DHET?
They are public institutions under DHET, so they are not registered like private colleges.
How do I check if a private college is registered?
Search DHET’s private college and private higher education registers, and the QCTO provider databases, for the college and your programme.