Eastcape Midlands TVET College, commonly known by its abbreviation EMC, is a public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institution headquartered in Uitenhage (Kariega) in the Eastern Cape. The college serves students across the Nelson Mandela Bay, Sarah Baartman, and Chris Hani districts through nine campuses: five in Uitenhage (High Street, Park Avenue, Charles Goodyear, Brickfields Road, and Thanduxolo), two in Graaff-Reinet (Middle Street and Woeke Street), one in Makhanda (Grahamstown), and one at Heath Park in Gqeberha. EMC is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and offers accredited qualifications at NQF Levels 2 to 4.
This article sets out the courses EMC offers, the entry requirements for each, and how the college’s admission scoring compares to the university APS system many prospective students are already familiar with.
Understanding “APS” at a TVET College
Applicants often search for a TVET college’s “APS requirements” using the same expectations they’d have for a university application, where a Matric percentage in each subject converts to points on a scale and the total determines eligibility for a degree. Eastcape Midlands TVET College, like other public TVET colleges, does not run admissions this way.
Instead, EMC bases entry on three factors:
- The grade level you have completed — Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, or a full NSC (Matric).
- A minimum percentage in specific subjects, most commonly Mathematics, where the programme is engineering-related.
- Available space at your chosen campus, since each campus specialises in a particular cluster of programmes rather than offering everything at every site.
Where EMC does apply a numeric cut-off — for example, a 50% pass in Mathematics for engineering NCV programmes — this article states it directly so you can measure your own results against it, rather than leaving you to guess at a generic points total that doesn’t actually apply to this college.
Campus Specialisation at EMC
Before choosing a course, it helps to know that EMC does not offer every programme at every campus. Business-focused qualifications are concentrated at the High Street and Thanduxolo campuses in Uitenhage. Park Avenue campus focuses on Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and Computer Science. Charles Goodyear campus specialises in Mechanical Engineering and skills training. Brickfields Road campus runs learnerships, apprenticeships, and occupational skills development. The Graaff-Reinet and Grahamstown campuses offer a mix of business and foundational programmes suited to those regions. This means your choice of course often determines your choice of campus, and applicants should confirm which site offers their intended field before applying.
NCV Programmes at Eastcape Midlands TVET College
The National Certificate (Vocational) is a three-year qualification spanning NQF Levels 2, 3, and 4, structured as an alternative route to completing high school through vocational subjects rather than the standard academic curriculum. The general minimum requirement for NCV Level 2 entry is a Grade 9 certificate or equivalent, with Grade 10, 11, and 12 leavers also accepted directly into Level 2 in many cases. Progression from one NCV level to the next requires having passed the level before it — an ITEC Level 2 pass to enter Level 3, and an ITEC Level 3 pass to enter Level 4.
| NCV Field | Entry Requirement | Subject Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Office Administration | Grade 9 certificate or equivalent | English competence, basic business literacy |
| Marketing | Grade 9 certificate or equivalent | Communication and numeracy skills |
| Finance, Economics & Accounting | Grade 9 certificate or equivalent | Mathematical Literacy, basic accounting concepts |
| Electrical Infrastructure Construction | Grade 9 certificate with 50% pass in Mathematics | Mathematics and technical drawing ability |
| Engineering & Related Design (Mechanical) | Grade 9 certificate with 50% pass in Mathematics | Mathematics and Physical Science preferred |
| Information Technology & Computer Science | Grade 9 certificate or equivalent | Basic computer literacy, Mathematics recommended |
For business-related NCV fields such as Office Administration, Marketing, and Finance, Economics & Accounting, EMC’s main condition beyond the Grade 9 requirement is demonstrated competence in English and general literacy. For the engineering-linked NCV programmes — Electrical Infrastructure Construction in particular — the college specifically requires a 50% pass in Mathematics at Grade 9 level, since this subject carries directly into the technical content taught from Level 2 onward.
Applicants who only hold a Grade 10 report are still eligible for many NCV programmes, though the college notes that Grade 9 and Grade 10 entrants without stronger results are considered on a more limited, case-by-case basis, particularly where competition for space is high.
NATED (Report 191) Programmes at EMC
NATED, also referred to as Report 191, is EMC’s post-Matric qualification stream, running from N1 through N6 depending on the field. Unlike NCV, most NATED business courses assume you already hold a Grade 12 certificate, while NATED engineering courses can, in specific circumstances, be entered earlier.
Business NATED Courses (N4–N6)
To register for N4 in a business stream — such as Business Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, or Public Management — you generally need a Matric certificate with results relevant to the stream (for example, Accounting or Business Studies for the finance-related programmes), or a completed NCV Level 4 in a related field. Progression through the levels follows a strict sequence: you need your N4 certificate to register for N5, and your N5 certificate to register for N6. After completing N6 theory, EMC requires 18 months of logged, relevant workplace experience before the National Diploma is issued.
Engineering NATED Courses (N1–N6)
Engineering programmes at EMC — Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electrical Engineering — follow a slightly different entry path at the lower levels. Applicants can enter N1 to N3 with a Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11 qualification, provided the following Mathematics thresholds are met:
- Grade 9 with a 50% pass in Mathematics, or
- Grade 10 with a 50% pass in Mathematics, or
- Grade 11 with a minimum 40% pass in Mathematics.
For direct entry into N4 engineering, EMC generally requires a Matric certificate including Mathematics and Physical Sciences, or a completed and passed Intro N4/N3 certificate. This dual pathway means a student without full Matric can still work their way into engineering studies through the N1–N3 route, provided their Mathematics results meet the stated thresholds at each stage.
| NATED Level | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|
| N1 (Engineering) | Grade 9 with 50% in Mathematics, or equivalent |
| N2 (Engineering) | Passed N1 certificate |
| N3 (Engineering) | Passed N2 certificate |
| N4 (Engineering) | Matric with Mathematics & Physical Sciences, or passed N3 |
| N4 (Business) | Matric certificate (subject-relevant), or NCV Level 4 in related field |
| N5 | Passed N4 certificate in the same field |
| N6 | Passed N5 certificate in the same field |
| National Diploma | Passed N6 plus 18 months logged workplace experience |
Occupational and Skills Programmes
EMC also runs shorter occupational training and skills development programmes, primarily through the Brickfields Road campus. These include apprenticeships, learnerships, and skills programmes in areas such as Welding, Early Childhood Development, and Junior Office Administration. Entry requirements for these shorter programmes vary widely by course and are generally more flexible than the full NCV or NATED qualifications, since they are designed to fast-track specific, employer-linked competencies rather than deliver a full three-year qualification.
Application Periods and Intakes for 2026/2027
EMC runs more than one intake per year, which is useful to know since missing the main window doesn’t necessarily mean waiting a full year.
- Main Intake (January/February): Applications typically open from August to October of the preceding year, with the main 2026 intake application window opening on 1 September 2025 and closing on 30 October 2026 for late submissions in some cases, though prospective students should apply as close to the opening date as possible.
- Mid-Year Intake (July): Applications for trimester-based Engineering programmes and selected NCV courses open from around April to June, with a Business Semester 2 window running from 20 April to 20 May in 2026 and classes commencing 15 July.
Applications are submitted through EMC’s online application portal, using the Coltech student administration system also used by several other TVET colleges. Applicants create a profile using their ID number, select Semester, Trimester, or NCV registration type, choose a campus and course, and upload certified copies (issued within the last three months, with a valid SAPS stamp) of their ID, academic records, and proof of residence.
NSFAS Funding at Eastcape Midlands TVET College
EMC participates in the DHET TVET Colleges Bursary Scheme, administered through NSFAS. Students whose combined household income falls within the qualifying threshold do not pay tuition fees upfront if approved for funding, and can also access allowances for learning materials depending on their programme. Since NSFAS applications generally run on a similar annual cycle to college applications, it is advisable to apply for both around the same time rather than waiting for college acceptance first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Eastcape Midlands TVET College calculate an APS score like universities do?
No. EMC bases admission on completed grade level, specific subject results (mainly Mathematics for engineering fields), and available space per campus, rather than a points-based Admission Point Score.
What Mathematics mark do I need for engineering courses at EMC?
For N1–N3 engineering entry, EMC requires a 50% pass in Mathematics at Grade 9 or Grade 10 level, or a minimum 40% pass at Grade 11 level. Direct N4 entry generally requires Matric with Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
Can I apply for NCV with only a Grade 9 certificate?
Yes. Grade 9 is the standard minimum requirement for NCV Level 2 entry across all fields, though engineering-linked NCV programmes additionally require a 50% Mathematics pass at that level.
Does EMC offer more than one intake per year?
Yes. Besides the main January/February intake, EMC runs a mid-year intake around July for trimester-based Engineering programmes and selected NCV and Business Semester 2 courses.
Is Eastcape Midlands TVET College NSFAS accredited?
Yes. EMC is part of the DHET TVET Colleges Bursary Scheme, and NCV and NATED students who meet the income criteria can apply for full NSFAS funding.