Flavius Mareka TVET College operates two main campuses in the Free State — one in Sasolburg and one in Kroonstad — and falls under the oversight of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Its location near Sasolburg’s petrochemical industry gives it a distinct programme mix compared to many other public TVET colleges, particularly in engineering, where it offers a Chemical Engineering specialisation that is not standard across the sector. This guide sets out every course category the college runs and the exact entry requirements attached to each, written specifically for the way TVET admissions actually work rather than the way university admissions work.
Why “APS Requirements” Is the Wrong Framework for TVET Colleges
Search engines see large volumes of queries asking for a college’s “APS requirements,” a phrase carried over from how universities and universities of technology screen applicants. APS (Admission Point Score) converts NSC subject symbols into a numeric total, and each qualification sets a minimum total needed for consideration. Flavius Mareka TVET College does not run on this model, and neither does any other public TVET college in the country. NCV programmes take learners from Grade 9, before any NSC or point score is generated. NATED programmes take learners from Grade 12, NCV Level 4, or equivalent, but the deciding factor is whether particular subjects were passed at a stated minimum percentage — not a combined score. Readers should treat “APS” here as shorthand for “minimum subject and grade requirements,” because that is what actually governs admission at this college.
The Three Study Pathways at Flavius Mareka
| Pathway | Formal Name | Length | Who It Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCV | National Certificate (Vocational) | 3 years, Levels 2 to 4 | Learners from Grade 9 who want a full vocational track instead of finishing matric conventionally |
| NATED | Report 191 (N-courses) | Roughly 18 months of theory plus 18 months of practical workplace training for the full N-Diploma | Matriculants, NCV Level 4 holders, or those with a relevant N3/technical background |
| Occupational and Skills Programmes | Short and trade-specific qualifications | Varies, often a few months to a year | Learners wanting fast, focused entry into a specific trade or skill |
NCV Programmes: Entry Requirements Explained
NCV is a three-year full-time qualification, moving learners through NQF Level 2, then Level 3, then Level 4, in sequence. A learner cannot register for Level 3 without having passed Level 2 first, and the same rule applies moving into Level 4.
What You Need to Get Into NCV Level 2
A Grade 9 report is the baseline entry document. The college is also flexible toward learners who completed Grade 10 or Grade 11 without finishing school, and toward holders of an ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) Level 4 certificate, both of which are accepted as equivalent entry points. Where a learner wants to enter an engineering-related NCV field, an additional condition applies: Grade 9 Mathematics must have been passed at roughly 50%. Business and utility NCV fields do not carry this same Mathematics bar, and Mathematical Literacy is accepted instead of Pure Mathematics in those streams.
NCV Fields by Focus Area
Engineering and technical fields, based mainly at the Sasolburg site, include:
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Engineering and Related Design, with Fitting and Turning or Welding as practical specialisations
- Information Technology and Computer Science, including a Programming and Robotics stream
- Process Plant Operation
Business and administrative fields include:
- Generic Management
- Office Administration
- Transport and Logistics
Every NCV field is built around a common fundamentals base — English First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation — layered with vocational subjects specific to the chosen field. In the engineering stream, this means subjects like Engineering Systems, Engineering Graphics and Design, and Material Technology. The IT and Computer Science stream stands out for including Electronics and Digital Concepts for Robotics, giving it a more applied, hardware-oriented curriculum than the IT offering found at some other colleges.
NATED (Report 191) Programmes: Entry Requirements Explained
NATED study at Flavius Mareka follows the national Report 191 structure, quality-assured by Umalusi, and is built around theory blocks at the college paired with logged practical experience in a workplace. A learner who completes N6 and accumulates the required practical hours becomes eligible for a National N-Diploma in their field.
Engineering NATED (N1 – N6)
The engineering catalogue at this college is unusually wide for its size, a direct result of demand from the surrounding chemical and industrial sector. Fields include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Plumbing, and Chemical Engineering.
- To enter N1 to N3, an applicant generally needs a Grade 10 certificate with around 50% in Mathematics, or a Grade 11 certificate with around 40% in Mathematics — the exact figure depends on the specific engineering discipline chosen.
- To enter N4, an applicant needs a full NSC (matric) with Mathematics and Physical Sciences, a relevant technical/vocational subject background, or a completed NCV Level 4 in a related engineering field.
- To move from N4 to N5, or N5 to N6, a pass in the required number of subjects — usually three — at the level just completed is needed.
Business NATED (N4 – N6)
Business-focused NATED fields include Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Management Assistant, and Educare (Early Childhood Development), spread across the Sasolburg and Kroonstad campuses depending on the field.
- Business Management N4 needs a Grade 12 certificate with a minimum of 50% in Accounting and 40% in English.
- Human Resource Management N4 needs a Grade 12 certificate with a minimum of 40% in English.
- Progression from N4 to N5, or N5 to N6, needs a pass in at least three subjects from the level before.
Farming Management and Mechanisation
This field responds directly to the Free State’s agricultural base and sits somewhat apart from the standard business/engineering split.
- N4 needs a Grade 12 certificate with a minimum of 40% in English, and either 40% in Mathematics or 50% in Mathematical Literacy.
- N5 needs a pass in three subjects at N4 level.
Quick-Reference Table: NATED Minimum Requirements
| Field | Level | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering (Mechanical / Electrical / Civil / Chemical) | N1 – N3 | Grade 10 with ~50% Maths, or Grade 11 with ~40% Maths |
| Engineering (any discipline) | N4 | Matric with Maths and Physical Sciences, technical subjects, or NCV Level 4 |
| Business Management | N4 | Grade 12, 50% Accounting, 40% English |
| Human Resource Management | N4 | Grade 12, 40% English |
| Farming Management and Mechanisation | N4 | Grade 12, 40% English, 40% Maths (or 50% Maths Lit) |
| Any NATED field | N5 / N6 | Pass in 3 subjects at the preceding level |
Occupational and Short Skills Programmes
Outside the NCV and NATED tracks, Flavius Mareka runs a set of shorter, trade-focused programmes: Craft and Confectionery Baking, CISCO IT Essentials, the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), an AAT-aligned Accounting qualification, Hair Care Training, short Welding and Electrical skills courses, and Chemical Plant Operations. These programmes generally ask for a Grade 9-equivalent level of literacy and numeracy rather than a full academic qualification, and some accept applicants based on relevant prior work experience instead of formal schooling.
Documents Needed for Application
Applications must be backed by certified supporting documents. At minimum, the college asks for:
- A certified copy of the applicant’s ID document, or a birth certificate for applicants who do not yet hold an ID.
- A certified copy of the most recent school report — a Grade 9 report for NCV applicants, or a full NSC certificate for NATED applicants.
- Proof of residence, either a recent municipal account or a signed affidavit if no municipal bill exists in the applicant’s name.
- For NATED fields with subject-percentage conditions, the certified matric certificate reflecting those specific subject marks.
Documents should be recently certified and clearly legible, especially where the application process is completed online.
Beyond the Minimum: How Placement Actually Happens
Reaching the minimum published requirement gets an application considered — it does not guarantee a seat. Flavius Mareka, like every TVET college, works with limited intake numbers per campus and per field. Programmes tied directly to the Sasolburg industrial economy, such as Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Process Plant Operation, typically see stronger demand because they lead into visible, local employment pathways. An applicant who only just clears the Mathematics threshold for a high-demand engineering field may be waitlisted or offered a related but less competitive field instead. Applying as early as possible in the intake window, with a complete and correctly certified document set, materially improves the odds of placement in a first-choice course.
Funding Through NSFAS
Students accepted into NCV or NATED programmes at Flavius Mareka can apply for financial support through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Approved funding typically covers tuition and, depending on the student’s circumstances and programme, may extend to a materials allowance, transport support, or accommodation. NSFAS applications run on a separate system from the college’s own application process, so students need to complete both independently rather than assuming acceptance at the college automatically triggers NSFAS funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an APS requirement for Flavius Mareka TVET College?
No. The college does not use APS. Entry depends on the grade level completed plus, for specific NATED fields, a minimum percentage in named subjects like Mathematics, English, or Accounting.
What Mathematics mark is needed for NCV Engineering?
Roughly 50% in Grade 9 Mathematics is the general benchmark for entry into engineering-related NCV fields at Flavius Mareka.
Is Chemical Engineering really offered here?
Yes. Chemical Engineering is part of the NATED engineering catalogue, a specialisation connected to Sasolburg’s petrochemical industry and not commonly offered at most other TVET colleges.
What does Business Management N4 require?
A Grade 12 certificate with at least 50% in Accounting and 40% in English.
Can someone who never finished matric still study at Flavius Mareka?
Yes, through NCV. Entry into NCV Level 2 accepts a Grade 9, 10, or 11 report, or an ABET Level 4 certificate, with no requirement to have completed the National Senior Certificate.