DHET maintains the official Register of Private Colleges. Let's make sure the college you're considering is on it before any money changes hands. Here's how.
Cross-check the college name and registration number against the official DHET Register of Private Colleges. The registration number format is YYYY/FExx/NNN. Section B of the register lists currently-registered private colleges; Section A lists colleges whose registration has been cancelled. Confirm the qualification on the SAQA NQF register at allqs.saqa.org.za. If anything looks off, email PCComplaints1@dhet.gov.za.
Let's verify before any money moves. The most common SA private-education scam is an unregistered or cancelled college that collects fees, then the qualification turns out not to be recognised. A 5-minute check saves you from that.
Open the DHET Register of Private Colleges (linked below) and search for the college name. Currently registered colleges sit in Section B. If the college only appears in Section A, DHET has cancelled its registration, and it's safer not to enrol.
Every registered private college has a number in the format YYYY/FExx/NNN. The college you're considering should be able to show you this number on its prospectus or website. Confirm it matches the entry in Section B.
Open allqs.saqa.org.za and search for the qualification (e.g. "National Certificate Vocational"). Each registered qualification has an NQF level and SAQA ID. Make sure the qualification you're being offered is on the register and not expired.
The DHET register lists each college's approved sites of delivery. Confirm the campus where you'll actually study is one of the approved sites. Some private colleges operate from multiple campuses; only registered sites can legally offer the programmes.
DHET takes complaints about unregistered colleges seriously. Email PCComplaints1@dhet.gov.za with the college name, the qualification offered and any documentation you've received. It's safer to hold off paying any fee until you're satisfied the college is legitimate.
Official PDF, updated regularly. Section A (cancelled) and Section B (currently registered). Covers FET-level private colleges offering Engineering N1-N3, NCV and AET.
Open the register →Private Higher Education Institutions (e.g. IIE Varsity College, Eduvos, MANCOSA, Boston, Damelin, Lyceum, Milpark). Quality-assured by the CHE. Offers Higher Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees.
Open the PHEI register →Verify any qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. Search by name, SAQA ID or NQF level. Confirm the qualification is current and registered.
Search SAQA →If you suspect a private college is operating without registration or has cancelled registration, email DHET with the college name and any documentation you have.
PCComplaints1@dhet.gov.za →A DHET-registered private college is a Further Education and Training (FET) institution that has passed DHET's quality and registration checks. That means it can legally offer Engineering Studies N1-N3, the National Certificate (Vocational) and Adult Education and Training (AET). DHET publishes the full list in the Register of Private Colleges. Section B shows currently registered colleges; Section A shows cancelled ones.
Private colleges in this guide are FET-level institutions. They run Engineering N1-N3, NCV and AET programmes. Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) are a different register. PHEIs like IIE Varsity College, Eduvos, Damelin, Boston, MANCOSA, Lyceum and Milpark offer Higher Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor's Degrees. The Council on Higher Education (CHE) quality-assures PHEIs, and SAQA registers their qualifications.
Cross-check the college name and registration number against the official DHET Register of Private Colleges (updated regularly at dhet.gov.za). The registration number format is YYYY/FExx/NNN. Section B lists currently registered colleges, Section A lists colleges whose registration has been cancelled. Also confirm the qualification you want is registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) via SAQA at allqs.saqa.org.za.
NSFAS only funds public universities and public TVET colleges. It does not cover private colleges. Your funding options are Fundi (a specialist student finance provider), bank student loans (Standard Bank, Capitec, FNB, Nedbank), employer bursaries, SETA-sponsored learnerships, and each college's own internal bursaries.
It's safer to check the DHET Register of Private Colleges before you pay any fee. A legitimate college appears on the register, has its qualifications registered on the NQF through SAQA, and (for higher-ed qualifications) holds CHE accreditation. Watch out for colleges that pressure quick payment, can't show registration documents or operate from an unregistered campus. If something feels off, email PCComplaints1@dhet.gov.za.