Capricorn TVET College is a public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institution based in Polokwane, Limpopo. The college was formed through the merger of three institutions with distinct histories: the former Pietersburg Technical College, Bochum College of Education, and the former Northern Province Community College. It operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training and serves students across the Capricorn District Municipality through four campuses.
This article explains the courses Capricorn TVET College offers and what a prospective student actually needs, academically, to be admitted into each one.
Do TVET Colleges Use an APS Score?
Before going through the course list, it helps to clear up a common point of confusion. The Admission Point Score (APS) is a university and university of technology admission tool, calculated from a matriculant’s best six or seven subject percentages converted into points. Public TVET colleges, including Capricorn, do not use an APS system for admission. Instead, they admit students based on the grade level completed (Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12), together with specific subject passes relevant to the chosen field, such as Mathematics and Physical Science for engineering programmes, or Accounting and Business Studies for business programmes.
So when people search for “APS requirements” at a TVET college, what they are really looking for is the equivalent entry criteria: which grade you need to have completed, and which subjects (and pass levels) matter for the course you want. This article covers exactly that, using the terminology TVET colleges actually apply.
Overview of Capricorn TVET College
Capricorn TVET College groups its qualifications into three main faculties: Business Studies, Engineering Studies, and General and Utility Studies, with Fundamentals subjects offered across all three. The college’s motto, “Achieving Excellence Together,” reflects its focus on producing graduates who are ready for direct entry into the workforce, further study, or self-employment. Students also have the opportunity to gain workplace experience during their studies, which strengthens their transition into employment after graduating.
The college maintains partnerships with industry bodies and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to keep its curriculum aligned with the skills the Limpopo economy actually needs, particularly in mining, agriculture, tourism, and corporate services.
Capricorn TVET College Campuses
| Campus | Location | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Polokwane Campus | Die Meer Street, Polokwane | Main administrative and academic hub, Business Studies |
| Seshego Campus | 1919 Freedom Drive, Seshego | Engineering Studies: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering, Chemical Plant Operations, plus NCV Electrical Infrastructure Construction and Civil Engineering & Building Construction |
| Ramokgopa Campus | Next to Mokomene High School, Capricorn district | Engineering Studies: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering |
| Senwabarwana Campus | Senwabarwana | General and Utility Studies, selected NCV and NATED programmes |
Because engineering training is concentrated at Seshego and Ramokgopa campuses, applying for a civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering programme at Polokwane Campus will not succeed, since those workshops are not based there. Students should confirm the correct campus for their intended course before applying.
Courses Offered at Capricorn TVET College
Capricorn’s course offering follows the standard Department of Higher Education and Training structure: National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes at NQF Levels 2 to 4, and NATED (Report 191) programmes from N1 to N6.
1. National Certificate Vocational (NCV) and Entry Requirements
The NCV is a three-year, full-time qualification for students who have completed Grade 9, 10, or 11, or hold an ABET Level 4 certificate. It runs at NQF Levels 2, 3, and 4, with one academic year per level, and progression depends on passing the level directly before it.
NCV Business Studies programmes at Capricorn include:
- Office Administration
- Marketing
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Generic Management
- Transport and Logistics
- Hospitality Management
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Safety and Security
NCV Engineering programmes include:
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Engineering and Related Design
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
| NCV Field | Grade-Level Entry | Key Subject Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Business Studies streams (Office Admin, Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, IT, Safety & Security) | Grade 9, 10, or 11, or ABET Level 4 | Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy; no strict pass percentage, but stronger passes improve chances |
| Engineering streams (Electrical, Civil, Engineering & Related Design) | Grade 9, 10, or 11, or ABET Level 4 | Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) recommended, since technical drawing and calculations rely on it |
2. NATED (Report 191) Programmes and Entry Requirements
NATED programmes at Capricorn run from N1 to N6 in Engineering Studies, and from N4 to N6 in Business and Utility Studies, on a trimester basis. The academic calendar splits the year into three trimesters: Trimester 1 (January to April), Trimester 2 (May to August), and Trimester 3 (September to November), with engineering intakes often aligned to Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 in addition to the main January start.
NATED Engineering Studies, based at Seshego and Ramokgopa campuses, covers:
- Electrical Engineering (N1–N6)
- Mechanical Engineering (N1–N6)
- Civil Engineering (N1–N6)
- Chemical Plant Operations (Seshego Campus)
For N4 entry, the college generally looks for a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Diploma or Bachelor pass, and Mathematics or Technical Mathematics together with Physical Science or Technical Science. Alternatively, an N3 certificate or an NCV Level 4 qualification in a related field also satisfies entry requirements. Students without Grade 12 can start at N1 or N2 with a Grade 9 pass, since these lower levels serve as a foundation before progressing toward N4.
NATED Business Studies, offered mainly at Polokwane Campus, covers National Diploma pathways in:
- Management Assistant
- Business Management
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing Management
- Financial Management
- Public Management
NATED Utility Studies, also offered at Polokwane Campus, covers:
- Tourism Management
- Hospitality Management
For N4 entry into Business or Utility Studies, the college generally requires a completed Matric (NSC) or an NCV Level 4 pass in a related field, along with a pass in Accounting, Business Studies, or another commercial subject.
| NATED Field | N4 Entry Requirement | Key Subject Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil) | NSC with Diploma/Bachelor pass, N3 certificate, or NCV Level 4 | Mathematics/Technical Mathematics and Physical Science/Technical Science |
| Business Studies (Management, HR, Marketing, Finance, Public Management) | Completed Matric or NCV Level 4 | Accounting, Business Studies, or other commercial subjects |
| Utility Studies (Tourism, Hospitality) | Completed Matric or NCV Level 4 | Business Studies, Tourism, or Hospitality-related subjects |
As with NATED programmes at other public TVET colleges, students who complete N4 to N6 must log a period of relevant workplace experience before qualifying for the National N Diploma, an NQF Level 6 qualification. The N6 certificate on its own does not represent the completed diploma.
Table: Summary of Course Types at Capricorn TVET College
| Qualification Type | Entry Requirement | Duration | Study Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCV (Levels 2–4) | Grade 9, 10, or 11, or ABET Level 4 | 3 years (1 year per level) | Full-time, academic year |
| NATED N1–N3 (Engineering) | Grade 9 pass for entry-level programmes | Trimester-based | Full-time |
| NATED N4–N6 (Engineering) | NSC, N3 certificate, or NCV Level 4, with Maths and Physical Science | Trimester-based, plus workplace experience for the diploma | Full-time |
| NATED N4–N6 (Business/Utility Studies) | Completed Matric or NCV Level 4, with relevant commercial subjects | Trimester-based, plus workplace experience for the diploma | Full-time |
Capricorn TVET College Fees
Fees at Capricorn TVET College follow the standard subsidised structure applied across public TVET colleges, with NCV programmes generally costing less than NATED programmes, and engineering-related courses costing more than business or general studies due to equipment, workshop, and laboratory requirements. Exact tuition figures are confirmed each year and are available on request from the finance office at any Capricorn TVET College campus, since the college does not publish a single fixed annual figure across all its programmes.
Students who qualify for NSFAS funding, with a household income not exceeding R350,000 per year (or R600,000 for students with disabilities), can have their tuition, transport, and personal care costs covered, along with accommodation support for those living far from campus.
How to Apply to Capricorn TVET College
- Access the Capricorn TVET College online application portal and create an account, since the college uses the Coltech application system shared by several public TVET colleges.
- Complete the compulsory Career Guidance / Placement Test in the Learner Profiler before the course selection screen becomes available. This step exists to check that a student’s academic background genuinely suits their intended course, for example ensuring a student applying for Electrical Engineering has an adequate grounding in Mathematics.
- Select the year, then choose Semester, Trimester, or NCV depending on your intended qualification type.
- Select your preferred campus (Polokwane, Seshego, Ramokgopa, or Senwabarwana) and registration type.
- Pick your desired course and click “Apply for This Course.”
- Upload certified copies of required documents, including your Grade 12 certificate or equivalent, your South African ID or passport, proof of residence not older than three months, and academic transcripts where applicable, all as PDF files.
- Submit your application before the closing date. The main annual intake typically runs from 1 September to 30 September of the preceding year, with a separate Trimester 2 window opening around March for NATED Engineering applicants.
- Apply separately for NSFAS funding through the official NSFAS website once your application is submitted.
- Wait for a decision; the college’s Admissions Office generally reviews applications within four to six weeks and communicates outcomes by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Capricorn TVET College use an APS score for admission?
No. APS is used by universities and universities of technology, not TVET colleges. Capricorn TVET College admits students based on the grade completed (Grade 9 to 12) and specific subject passes relevant to the chosen field, such as Mathematics and Physical Science for engineering or Accounting for business studies.
What subjects matter most for engineering programmes at Capricorn TVET College?
Mathematics (or Technical Mathematics) and Physical Science (or Technical Science) matter most for NATED Engineering Studies at N4 and above. For NCV engineering streams, Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy is strongly recommended.
Can I apply with only a Grade 9 or Grade 10 pass?
Yes, for NCV programmes, which accept Grade 9, 10, or 11, or an ABET Level 4 certificate. NATED N1 and N2 Engineering programmes can also accept a Grade 9 pass as an entry point before progressing toward N4.
Which campus should I apply to for engineering courses?
Seshego Campus and Ramokgopa Campus host Capricorn’s Engineering Studies programmes, including Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering. Polokwane Campus is the main hub for Business and Utility Studies.
Can I get NSFAS funding at Capricorn TVET College?
Yes. Students from households earning R350,000 or less per year (or R600,000 for students with disabilities) can qualify for NSFAS funding, which covers tuition, transport, and personal care costs.