Esayidi TVET College is a public technical and vocational education institution serving the Southern KwaZulu-Natal region. It operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and offers accredited programmes that prepare students for direct entry into the job market or for further study at higher levels. This article sets out the courses the college offers, the fee structure students can expect for the 2026 academic year, and the requirements needed to apply.
Overview of Esayidi TVET College
Esayidi TVET College came into existence in 2003, formed from the merger of the former Port Shepstone and Enyenyezi Technical Colleges. The college now runs six main campuses — Port Shepstone, Gamalakhe, Kokstad, Enyenyezi, Umzimkhulu, and Clydesdale — along with several Community Development Centres and skills centres, including the Sizanani Skills Centre in Gamalakhe and the Esayidi Technology Centre in Uvongo. Its head office sits in Port Shepstone CBD.
The college is quality-assured by Umalusi for NCV and NATED qualifications and works with SETAs such as MERSETA, ESETA, and ETDPSETA for occupational and skills-based training. This means qualifications earned at Esayidi carry national recognition and are portable across employers and further education institutions in South Africa.
Types of Qualifications Offered
Esayidi TVET College offers four broad categories of programmes, each structured differently in terms of duration, entry point, and delivery.
National Certificate Vocational (NCV): This is a three-year, full-time programme divided into Levels 2, 3, and 4. It suits school leavers who have completed at least Grade 9. NCV blends theory (about 40%) with practical training (about 60%), and Level 4 is recognised as equivalent to a matric qualification. Students move from Level 2 to Level 3 to Level 4 progressively, each level taking one academic year.
Report 191 / NATED (N-Courses): These are trimester-based programmes split into engineering studies (N1–N6) and business studies (N4–N6). Each level typically runs for one trimester (about four months), meaning a student can complete N4 to N6 in eighteen months if they pass each level consecutively. After N6, students need 18–24 months of relevant practical work experience, logged in a prescribed logbook, before they qualify for the National N-Diploma.
Occupational Qualifications (QCTO-aligned): These combine classroom knowledge, practical skills training, and workplace experience, leading to a registered occupation such as electrician, plumber, or early childhood development practitioner. They follow a trade-specific structure rather than a fixed academic calendar.
Skills Programmes and Short Courses: These are shorter, often SETA-funded courses aimed at specific competencies. They don’t lead to a full qualification on their own but can build toward one or improve employability directly.
Courses Offered at Esayidi TVET College
The table below summarises the main fields of study available under each qualification type.
| Qualification Type | Field/Programme | Levels Offered |
|---|---|---|
| NCV | Finance, Economics and Accounting | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Office Administration | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Marketing | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Transport and Logistics | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Hospitality | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Tourism | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Information Technology and Computer Science | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Electrical Infrastructure Construction | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Civil Engineering and Building Construction | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Engineering and Related Design | Level 2 – 4 |
| NCV | Safety in Society | Level 2 – 4 |
| NATED (Business) | Business Management | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Business) | Financial Management | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Business) | Human Resource Management | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Business) | Management Assistant | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Business) | Marketing Management | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Business) | Public Relations | N4 – N6 |
| NATED (Engineering) | Electrical Engineering (Light and Heavy Current) | N1 – N6 |
| NATED (Engineering) | Mechanical Engineering | N1 – N6 |
| NATED (Engineering) | Civil Engineering | N1 – N6 |
| Other | Primary Agriculture | Varies by campus |
| Other | Clothing Production | Varies by campus |
Not every campus offers every programme. Coastal campuses such as Port Shepstone and Gamalakhe tend to run a broader spread of business, hospitality, and IT-related programmes, while inland campuses like Umzimkhulu and Clydesdale lean more toward Office Administration, Primary Agriculture, and Engineering N1–N6. Students should confirm with their preferred campus which specific programmes run there before applying.
Esayidi TVET College Fees
TVET college fees in South Africa are set at levels well below university tuition, since these institutions receive a government subsidy per student. At Esayidi, as with most public TVET colleges, no application fee applies when submitting an application — application and admission are free of charge.
Annual tuition for a full-time NCV programme generally falls between R7,000 and R22,000, depending on the field of study. Engineering-related programmes, which require workshop time, tools, and consumables, tend to sit toward the higher end of that range, while business and administration programmes are usually more affordable. NATED (N1–N6) fees are charged per trimester rather than per year, so the total cost for a full N4–N6 cycle is spread across three separate payment periods instead of one annual invoice.
Fees typically cover tuition and access to workshops, computer labs, and study materials specific to the programme, but they don’t automatically include textbooks, protective clothing for engineering trades, transport, or accommodation. Students living away from home should budget separately for these costs unless they qualify for NSFAS funding that covers them.
Because fee amounts are reviewed and adjusted at the start of each academic year, and can differ slightly by campus and programme, students should always confirm the exact current figure directly with the Esayidi TVET College finance office or the official college website before registering, rather than relying on a fixed number quoted elsewhere.
NSFAS Funding at Esayidi TVET College
Esayidi TVET College is a registered NSFAS institution, meaning qualifying students don’t need to pay their own fees out of pocket. Students whose combined household income falls at or below R350,000 per year generally qualify. NSFAS funding at TVET level typically covers full tuition, plus allowances for accommodation, transport, meals, and learning materials for those who qualify for the full package.
To apply for NSFAS funding, prospective students need:
- A valid ID number or birth certificate copy
- Their own cellphone number and email address
- ID copies of a parent, guardian, or spouse
- Proof of household income, or the previous year’s IRP5 if employed
- A completed Disability Annexure A form, where applicable
- No proof of income is required if the applicant or household receives a SASSA grant
NSFAS applications are submitted directly through the NSFAS website (not through the college) and typically open in August and close around November for the following academic year. Because funding is separate from and additional to the college application, students should apply to both Esayidi TVET College and NSFAS within the correct windows to avoid missing out.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements at Esayidi TVET College depend on the qualification and level a student is applying for.
For NCV programmes, a Grade 9 certificate (or equivalent) is the minimum requirement for entry into Level 2. Students then progress to Level 3 after passing Level 2, and to Level 4 after passing Level 3. Engineering-related NCV programmes usually require a Grade 9 pass with at least 50% in Mathematics, since the technical content builds on basic numeracy and problem-solving skills.
For NATED engineering programmes (N1–N3), applicants generally need Grade 10 with at least 50% in Mathematics, or Grade 11 with at least 40% in Mathematics. For N4 engineering entry, a National Senior Certificate (matric) or NCV Level 4 is required, along with a pass in both Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and Physical Science. Students who only have Mathematical Literacy are usually advised to start at N2 or N3 to build the necessary mathematical foundation before attempting N4.
For NATED business programmes, matric or an equivalent Grade 12 qualification is the standard entry requirement for N4, since these courses are theory-heavy and assume a certain level of academic readiness.
Engineering applicants at Esayidi are also required to complete a Pre-Entry Placement Assessment, which tests spatial reasoning and basic mathematical aptitude, before their application can be processed.
How to Apply
Applications to Esayidi TVET College are submitted online through the college’s official website, or in person at any of its campuses during business hours. The process requires certified copies of an ID document and the most recent academic results (Grade 9, Grade 11, or matric certificate, depending on the intended programme). Campus staff are available to guide applicants on which programme matches their academic background and to assist with the application itself.
Main intake for full-year NCV programmes and the first NATED trimester happens in January, with additional mid-year intake windows in some programmes around May to July for the second trimester. Application periods usually open in August and close around October or November of the preceding year, though this varies by programme and campus, so checking the college’s current notices before the deadline is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application fee to apply at Esayidi TVET College?
No. Applying to any public TVET college in South Africa, including Esayidi, doesn’t require an application fee.
Does NSFAS cover all Esayidi TVET College fees?
For students who meet the household income threshold, NSFAS covers full tuition and can include allowances for accommodation, transport, and learning materials. Students who don’t qualify need to pay tuition fees directly to the college.
How long does it take to complete an NCV qualification?
NCV is a three-year, full-time programme, moving from Level 2 through to Level 4, with one academic year required per level.
Can I go straight into N4 with only a Grade 9 certificate?
No. N4 business programmes require matric, and N4 engineering requires either matric or NCV Level 4, along with passes in Mathematics and, for engineering, Physical Science. A Grade 9 certificate only qualifies a student for NCV Level 2 or, in some cases, N1–N3 engineering with the right subject marks.
Which campus should I apply to?
This depends on the programme. Coastal campuses like Port Shepstone and Gamalakhe generally offer a wider range of business, hospitality, and IT courses, while inland campuses such as Umzimkhulu and Clydesdale focus more on Office Administration, Agriculture, and Engineering N1–N6. Confirming with the specific campus before applying avoids delays.