Central Johannesburg TVET College, commonly known as CJC, sits at the centre of one of South Africa’s busiest economic regions and draws students from across Johannesburg and beyond. Anyone researching this college for the 2026 or 2027 academic year usually wants three answers: which courses are on offer, which campus teaches them, and what marks or qualifications are needed to get in. This article covers all three directly, and clarifies a point that confuses many applicants — how “APS” applies at a TVET college compared to a university.
Understanding APS at Central Johannesburg TVET College
At university level, an Admission Point Score is worked out by converting each Grade 12 subject symbol into a numerical value and adding those values together, then comparing the total against a minimum figure set for a particular degree. Central Johannesburg TVET College, like every public TVET college in South Africa, does not admit students using this points-based calculation. Entry instead depends on:
- The highest school grade a candidate has completed — Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, or a full National Senior Certificate.
- Specific subject passes where a programme requires them, particularly in engineering fields.
- A compulsory placement assessment, which most CJC campuses use to confirm literacy and numeracy competency before registration is finalised.
When applicants search for “APS requirements” for CJC, they are generally asking about this combined set of entry conditions rather than a converted points total. This article uses the term in that broader, commonly searched sense, since it matches what the admissions process actually checks.
About Central Johannesburg TVET College
Central Johannesburg TVET College was established in September 2003 and falls under the Department of Higher Education and Training. It has grown into one of the most prominent public vocational colleges in Gauteng, with a mission centred on preparing students for direct employment and entrepreneurship rather than pure theory. The college operates eight campuses spread across Johannesburg’s inner city and surrounding suburbs, positioning it close to the province’s corporate offices, manufacturing zones, and creative industries. CJC offers three broad categories of qualification:
- National Certificate (Vocational), or NCV — for candidates who have completed at least Grade 9 and want a vocational route through the final years of secondary-level study.
- NATED (Report 191) programmes, also known as N-courses — for candidates who already hold Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification and want a focused technical or business diploma.
- Occupational and short skills programmes — shorter, trade-specific qualifications combining classroom learning with workplace exposure.
The table below sets out how these three pathways differ.
| Feature | NCV | NATED (N-Courses) | Occupational Programmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum entry | Grade 9 report | Grade 12 (NSC) or NCV Level 4 | Varies by programme, often Grade 9 to Grade 11 |
| Typical duration | 3 years (Level 2 to Level 4) | N4–N6: 18 months theory, plus 18 months practical training | Ranges from several months to two years |
| Subjects/modules | 7 subjects per level, mixing fundamentals with vocational content | 4–6 technical or business subjects per level | Combination of theory, practical training, and workplace assessment |
| Final qualification | National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 | National N Diploma once work experience is completed | Occupational Certificate at the relevant NQF level |
| Best suited for | School leavers wanting a vocational alternative to mainstream schooling | Matriculants seeking a technical, business, or creative diploma | Candidates wanting fast entry into a specific trade or role |
CJC Campuses and Their Course Focus
CJC does not operate from a single site. Each campus functions as a specialised centre for a particular field, and applications must be directed to the campus that actually hosts the chosen course, since a mismatched application is typically rejected automatically by the online system.
Parktown Campus serves as the college’s central administrative hub and also hosts a range of general and business-related programmes.
Ellis Park Campus, in Doornfontein, is the primary engineering site. It hosts Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programmes, and is the most heavily regulated faculty at the college due to the technical and safety standards involved in these trades.
Alexandra Campus was the site of CJC’s official launch and continues to offer a mix of vocational and business-oriented programmes serving the surrounding community.
Smit Street Campus, located in the Johannesburg CBD near the Maboneng and Braamfontein creative precincts, focuses on Art and Design and Clothing Production, making it the natural choice for students aiming for careers in fashion, textiles, or graphic design.
Other campuses across the college’s footprint carry Business Studies, Humanities, Hospitality, Information Technology, and Finance-related programmes, rounding out CJC’s offering across both technical and non-technical fields. Applicants should confirm current campus-specific course availability before applying, since capacity and allocation can shift between intakes.
NCV Courses and Entry Requirements
NCV programmes at CJC follow the national structure of seven subjects per level: three compulsory fundamentals (Language, Life Orientation, and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) combined with four vocational subjects specific to the chosen field. Fields commonly offered at CJC include:
- Engineering and Related Design
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Office Administration
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Management
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Safety in Society
A Grade 9 report is the baseline entry requirement for NCV Level 2, and it does not need to reflect a pass, since NCV functions as an alternative pathway rather than a reward for prior academic performance. Candidates who have completed Grade 10 or Grade 11 may also apply, with the level of entry sometimes influenced by the outcome of a placement assessment. Programmes under Engineering and Related Design or Electrical Infrastructure Construction typically require a pass in Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy, since the coursework depends on calculation-based content from the first year.
NATED (N4–N6) Courses and Entry Requirements
NATED programmes are aimed at candidates who already hold a National Senior Certificate or an NCV Level 4 certificate. CJC’s N-course offering splits broadly into engineering and business-related streams.
Engineering N-courses, hosted mainly at Ellis Park Campus, include Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, alongside Building and Civil Engineering Draughting.
Business and administrative N-courses include Management Assistant (Office Administration), Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Public Management, and Legal Secretary.
| Course Category | Minimum Qualification | Key Subject Requirement | Typical Mark Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering N4–N6 | Grade 12 (NSC) or completed N3 for progression | Mathematics and a related Science or technical subject | 40% or higher in Mathematics and Physical Science |
| Business N4–N6 | Grade 12 (NSC) or NCV Level 4 | Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted, provided core language subjects show a strong pass | A general NSC pass is usually sufficient |
| Legal Secretary N4–N6 | Grade 12 (NSC) | Strong English proficiency, closely checked during assessment | Solid pass in Home Language or First Additional Language |
Applicants who fall short of a specific engineering subject requirement are not necessarily excluded outright. Many are guided toward a bridging option or advised to strengthen the relevant subject before reapplying for a later intake.
Art, Design, and Creative Programmes
CJC’s Smit Street Campus gives the college a distinct advantage over purely technical or business-focused TVET colleges, since it runs dedicated Art and Design and Clothing Production programmes. These qualifications generally require a Grade 12 or NCV Level 4 certificate, and while a strict mathematics requirement is uncommon, a portfolio review or practical assessment may form part of the selection process for design-related courses. Students with a strong interest in fashion, textiles, or visual art benefit from this campus’s proximity to Johannesburg’s creative industry hubs, which supports work-integrated learning opportunities during and after study.
The Placement Assessment and Application Documents
CJC applies a mandatory placement assessment to new applicants across most programmes, used to confirm baseline literacy and numeracy ahead of registration. The college also runs a strictly digital, zero-paper application process, meaning physical documents cannot be submitted at any campus. Applicants must instead upload certified digital copies of required documents through the online portal, including:
- A valid South African ID or, for non-citizens, an appropriate SAQA evaluation and proof of study permit status.
- The most recent school report or Matric certificate.
- Proof of residence.
- Proof of English proficiency, where applicable, for programmes with a strong language component.
How to Apply
Applications to Central Johannesburg TVET College follow a structured online process, and the college runs multiple intake windows across the year, generally aligned to three trimesters: Trimester 1 from January to April, Trimester 2 from May to August, and Trimester 3 from September to November. Engineering programmes in particular tend to open only during specific trimester windows, so applicants targeting Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering should confirm which trimester their chosen course is opening for before submitting an application. The general application steps are:
- Register a profile on CJC’s official online application system using a valid ID number and contact details.
- Select the specific campus and programme that matches the course of interest, since applying to the wrong campus results in automatic rejection.
- Upload all required documents in digital format, since no physical paperwork is accepted at any campus.
- Complete the placement assessment once invited to do so.
- Await confirmation of application status, which CJC communicates by SMS or email.
Because CJC is one of the larger public TVET colleges in Gauteng, popular programmes such as engineering trades, business management, and design-related courses fill up quickly, so applying as early as possible within the relevant intake window improves the chance of securing a place.
Fees and NSFAS Funding
As a public institution, CJC’s tuition fees are considerably lower than those charged by private colleges, with costs varying depending on the programme and its equipment or material requirements. Students from qualifying households can apply for funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which covers tuition and can also contribute toward learning materials, transport, and a personal allowance, without requiring repayment. Eligibility generally requires South African citizenship and a combined household income within the scheme’s threshold. Since course admission and NSFAS applications run through separate systems, students should apply for both as soon as each window opens rather than waiting for one outcome before starting the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Central Johannesburg TVET College use an APS score like universities do?
No. Admission depends on the highest grade completed, relevant subject passes where required, and the outcome of a placement assessment, rather than a converted points total.
Can a student with only a Grade 9 report apply to CJC?
Yes, for NCV Level 2 programmes. A Grade 9 report is the minimum entry point for this stream.
Is Mathematics compulsory for all CJC courses?
No. Engineering-related NCV and NATED programmes require a Mathematics pass rather than Mathematical Literacy, while many business, hospitality, and creative programmes accept Mathematical Literacy alongside a strong pass in core language subjects.
Which campus should an applicant choose for engineering courses?
Ellis Park Campus in Doornfontein is CJC’s dedicated engineering site and hosts the Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering programmes.
Can an applicant apply for more than one course at CJC?
Yes, though each course requires a separate application through the online system.