Official places to study, learn, and build skills in South Africa.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Public universities

Good starting point for degree routes, professional qualifications, and public university admissions pages.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Private higher education

Useful for checking whether a private degree or diploma provider is legally registered before you apply.

Run by: UNISA

Best used for: Open learning

Good to compare if you need public university study at a distance. Check fees, admission requirements, timing, and whether the qualification fits the role you want.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Private higher education

Use this to compare private options without assuming they are all equal. Check DHET registration, qualification accreditation, total cost, and whether the route is accepted for any professional registration you may need.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Open learning

Useful if you need a lower-cost or more flexible way to stay in learning while managing other responsibilities.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: TVET colleges

A practical starting point for trades, diplomas, certificates, and vocational routes with campus delivery.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Occupational training

Especially useful for trade, artisan, transport, construction, hospitality, and occupational pathways.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Community learning

Good if you need adult learning, second-chance options, or community-based routes back into study. On the DHET home page, open the item called 'Full List of CET Colleges'.

Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training

Best used for: Occupational training

Use this to verify that a private college is registered before paying fees or enrolling. On the DHET home page, open the item called 'Register of Private Colleges'.

Run by: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

Best used for: Occupational training

Useful for checking whether an occupational training provider is part of the formal trades and occupations system.

Run by: The Independent Institute of Education

Best used for: Private higher education

IIE is useful to compare for private higher education routes across commerce, education, ICT, law, humanities, finance, and related fields. Treat registration as a baseline check, then confirm the specific qualification, fees, delivery mode, and professional-body requirements before applying.

Run by: STADIO

Best used for: Private higher education

STADIO is a separate private provider, not part of IIE. It can be useful to compare for fields such as education, commerce, administration, IT, media and design, engineering and architecture, law, and policing. Check the exact qualification and registration details before enrolling.