Tshwane South TVET College is a public vocational institution serving the southern part of the Tshwane metropolitan area, with campuses at Atteridgeville, Centurion, Pretoria West, and Odi. For a student deciding on the right path after Grade 9 or matric, this guide sets out exactly what Tshwane South TVET College offers, what each qualification costs, and how the funding and application process works for the current academic cycle.
About Tshwane South TVET College
Tshwane South TVET College (TSC) operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and holds accreditation for its National Certificate (Vocational) and NATED programmes. Occupational qualifications lead toward a trade test through the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The college’s head office is in Pretoria, and each of its four campuses hosts a different mix of programmes based on workshop and lab capacity, so choosing a campus often comes down to which specific course a student wants rather than only which one is closest to home.
TSC positions its teaching around practical, industry-relevant training. Classroom theory is combined with workshop time, and several programmes build in a structured work-experience component so that graduates leave with skills employers can verify directly rather than a certificate alone.
List of Courses Offered at TSC
Tshwane South TVET College courses fall into three broad categories: the National Certificate (Vocational), the NATED (Report 191) programmes, and occupational qualifications that lead to a trade test. Each stream serves a different entry point and a different career direction.
National Certificate (Vocational) — NCV Levels 2 to 4
The NCV stream suits a student who has completed Grade 9 (or holds an equivalent qualification such as an ABET Level 4 certificate) and wants a vocational alternative to the standard school curriculum. It runs over three consecutive years — Level 2, then Level 3, then Level 4 — with each level treated as a full academic year. Every NCV student takes fundamental subjects such as a language and Life Orientation alongside vocational subjects specific to their chosen field.
| Field of Study | Specific NCV Programmes |
|---|---|
| Business & Utility Studies | Finance, Economics and Accounting; Management; Marketing; Office Administration |
| Engineering & Construction | Civil Engineering and Building Construction; Electrical Infrastructure Construction; Engineering and Related Design |
| IT & Services | Information Technology and Computer Science; Process Instrumentation; Hospitality; Tourism |
A learner who completes NCV Level 4 holds a qualification broadly equivalent to matric and can proceed to a university of technology, move into NATED N-level study, or enter the workplace directly in the relevant trade.
NATED (Report 191) Programmes — N1 to N6
The NATED stream generally requires a matric certificate or NCV Level 4, though the engineering track can admit students with Grade 9 plus the required subjects at N1 level. This stream runs on a trimester basis for engineering fields and a semester basis for business and utility fields, rather than a full academic year at a time.
- Engineering Studies (N1–N6): Covers Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Entry to these fields typically requires a Grade 12 pass with Mathematics, Physical Science, and two relevant technical subjects. N1 to N3 award trade-level certificates, while N4 to N6 lead to a National Diploma once the student also completes 18 months of relevant workplace experience.
- Business and Utility Studies (N4–N6): Includes Financial Management, Management Assistant, Human Resource Management, Business Management, Public Relations Management, Clothing Production, Tourism, and Hospitality and Catering.
Certain business programmes at TSC, including Human Resource Management, Business Management, and Public Relations Management, run through distance learning with examinations written at a designated campus, which suits students balancing study with existing work commitments.
Occupational Programmes
Beyond NCV and NATED, Tshwane South TVET College also offers occupational qualifications aimed directly at specific trades, including boilermaker, electrician, fitter and turner, plumber, IT technician, and motor mechanic. These programmes are structured to lead toward a trade test through the National Artisan Moderation Body, combining theoretical instruction with hands-on practical training. Because intake numbers for occupational programmes depend on workshop capacity and, in some cases, employer partnerships, students interested in a specific trade should confirm current openings directly with the relevant campus.
Entry Requirements at TSC
Entry requirements at Tshwane South TVET College differ by stream, level, and specific programme. The table below summarises the general pattern.
| Programme | Minimum Requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NCV Level 2 | Grade 9 or equivalent (e.g., ABET Level 4) | 1 year (progresses annually to Level 4) |
| NCV Level 3 | NCV Level 2 pass | 1 year |
| NCV Level 4 | NCV Level 3 pass | 1 year |
| NATED N1–N3 (Engineering) | Grade 9 plus relevant subjects | 1 trimester each |
| NATED N4–N6 (Engineering) | Matric with Maths, Physical Science, and technical subjects | 1 trimester each, plus 18 months practical work for the N6 diploma |
| NATED N4–N6 (Business) | Matric or NCV Level 4 with relevant commercial subjects | 1 semester each |
| Occupational (Trade) | Varies by trade, generally Grade 9 to 11 | Structured toward a trade test |
Tshwane South TVET College Fees
Tshwane South TVET College fees vary by programme, level, and campus, and figures are revised each academic year. As a general planning guide:
| Fee Type | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | Free through the official online portal |
| Registration | No separate registration or administration fee is charged |
| NCV Tuition (Level 2–4) | Approximately R5,000 – R16,000 per year, depending on the programme |
| NATED Tuition (Engineering, per trimester) | Generally sits toward the higher end because of workshop and toolkit costs |
| NATED Tuition (Business, per semester) | Generally lower than engineering, since it needs fewer practical materials |
| Short skills courses | Roughly R1,500 – R7,000, depending on the course and duration |
A few things matter when budgeting for study at Tshwane South TVET College. First, the figures above are indicative rather than exact — the college issues an itemised fee brochure for freshers and returning students each year, and this is the document a student should rely on before making a final financial decision. Second, no application or registration fee applies at any stage of the process, which distinguishes TSC’s cost structure from institutions that charge a separate administrative charge upfront. Third, engineering and IT-related programmes generally cost more than office-based business programmes because of the equipment, consumables, and specialised toolkits required for practical training.
The college processes tuition payments through its designated bank account rather than accepting cash on campus, and students use their student number as the payment reference. Self-funding students who cannot pay in full at registration can typically arrange a payment plan directly with the campus finance office.
NSFAS Funding for TSC Students
Most students at Tshwane South TVET College fund their studies through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) rather than paying fees directly. NSFAS covers full tuition for NCV and NATED students whose combined household income falls below the scheme’s threshold, and qualifying students also receive allowances covering transport, meals, learning materials, and, where needed, accommodation.
To apply, students register directly on the NSFAS online portal during the window that typically opens in the middle of the year ahead of the following year’s intake, usually between August and November. Applicants need a South African ID, proof of household income (or an approved alternative for households without formal income documentation), and, once accepted, confirmation of registration from the college. Because processing takes time, applying as early in the window as possible is better than waiting until registration is close.
Students who do not qualify for NSFAS still have alternatives: a payment plan arranged directly with the campus finance office, an employer-sponsored placement (common for occupational and trade-linked programmes), or a provincial bursary where one is available.
How to Apply to TSC
Applications to Tshwane South TVET College for the main January intake generally open in August and close around October or November, while some NATED programmes offer a second intake mid-year on a trimester or semester basis. Late applications occasionally open for a short window in January, depending on remaining campus capacity. The general process looks like this:
- Gather the required documents: a certified copy of ID, the most recent academic results (Grade 9 report, Grade 11 report, or matric certificate as applicable), and proof of residence.
- Submit an application through the college’s official online application portal, selecting a specific campus and programme, since not every programme runs at every campus.
- Wait for a response confirming provisional acceptance, usually conditional on space availability and meeting the subject-specific entry requirements for that programme.
- Apply separately for NSFAS funding if the household qualifies, since acceptance to the college and approval for funding are two distinct processes.
- Complete registration at the assigned campus once both college acceptance and, where relevant, funding are confirmed.
Because programme capacity is limited and fields such as Engineering, IT, and Hospitality tend to fill quickly, applying as soon as the window opens improves the chance of securing a place in a preferred programme rather than being placed in an alternative one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tshwane South TVET College charge an application fee?
No. Applying through the official online portal is free, and there is no separate registration or administration fee either.
Can a student with only a Grade 9 certificate enrol at TSC?
Yes. Grade 9 (or an equivalent qualification such as ABET Level 4) is the standard minimum requirement for NCV Level 2, the entry point into the three-year NCV stream.
Is NSFAS funding available for NATED students as well as NCV students?
Yes. NSFAS covers both NCV and NATED students who meet the household income requirement, including the N4–N6 stream that leads to a National Diploma.
How long does it take to complete a National Diploma through the NATED Engineering route?
The N4 to N6 coursework itself spans three trimesters, and the National Diploma is only awarded once the student also completes 18 months of relevant workplace experience after finishing N6.