Ikhala TVET College is a public technical and vocational education institution operating in the Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani district municipalities of the Eastern Cape. It runs five campuses — Aliwal North, Ezibeleni, Queen Nonesi (Lady Frere), Komani (formerly Queenstown), and Sterkspruit — along with satellite skills centres that extend access to rural communities in the region. The college offers National Certificate (Vocational) programmes, NATED (Report 191) programmes, and occupational or skills-based qualifications registered under the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
This article sets out the courses available at Ikhala TVET College, the entry requirements for each programme type, and how the Admission Point Score (APS) is used during selection. It is written for students preparing to apply for the 2026 and 2027 intakes and who want a clear picture of what each qualification requires before they submit an application.
Understanding How Admission Works at Ikhala TVET College
Before looking at individual courses, it helps to understand that TVET colleges do not use APS in the same way universities do. Universities calculate APS from a National Senior Certificate (matric) to rank applicants for degree programmes. At Ikhala, and at TVET colleges generally, APS mainly comes into play for engineering-related NATED programmes, where the college needs a standardised way to rank applicants competing for a limited number of workshop and laboratory spaces. For NCV programmes, admission is based primarily on the applicant’s most recent school report (Grade 9, 10, or 11) rather than a calculated APS figure, although some IT-related NCV programmes do specify an APS threshold.
Because of this, the entry requirement for any given course at Ikhala depends on which category it falls under:
- NCV (National Certificate Vocational) — school-leaving qualification below matric, structured from NQF Level 2 to Level 4.
- NATED (Report 191) — the N1 to N6 pathway, leading to a National Diploma once combined with 18 months of relevant workplace experience.
- Occupational/QCTO and skills programmes — shorter, competency-based qualifications tied to specific trades or occupations.
NCV Programmes Offered at Ikhala TVET College
NCV programmes run over three years, covering NQF Levels 2, 3, and 4, and combine classroom theory with practical training. A student who completes NCV Level 4 exits with a qualification broadly equivalent to matric and can proceed to NATED N-level study, a university of technology, or directly into the workplace.
The general entry requirement for NCV Level 2 is one of the following:
- A Grade 9 year-end school report (or Grade 10/11 report, which also qualifies), or
- An ABET Level 4 certificate or NQF Level 1 qualification, or
- A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment conducted by the college for candidates without a formal Grade 9 report.
For most NCV fields, there is no fixed APS cut-off, but the college does apply a 40% minimum pass requirement in Mathematics (or Technical Mathematics), Physical Science (or Technical Science), and English for programmes with an engineering or technical focus. IT-related NCV programmes are the exception, where a defined APS score is used for placement.
NCV Course Categories at Ikhala
| Field | Programmes Offered | Typical Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & Related Design | Civil Engineering (Building & Construction, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Plumbing), Electrical Infrastructure Construction, Process Plant Operations | Grade 9 report with 40% in Maths, Physical Science, and English |
| Business Studies | Office Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing | Grade 9 report (or ABET Level 4/NQF Level 1) |
| Transport & Logistics | Transport and Logistics | Grade 9 report (or ABET Level 4/NQF Level 1) |
| Information Technology & Computer Science | Networking, systems support, and general IT competencies | APS Score of 22 (best six Grade 9 subjects, including Mathematics/Technical Mathematics and English), or APS Score of 20 depending on subject combination |
| Utility Studies | Tourism, Hospitality and Catering | Grade 9 report (or ABET Level 4/NQF Level 1) |
Students without a formal school report can still apply through the RPL route, which assesses prior knowledge and work experience against the entry criteria for NQF Level 2.
NATED (Report 191) Programmes and APS Requirements
NATED programmes follow the N1 to N6 structure and are the pathway most closely associated with formal APS-based selection at Ikhala, particularly in engineering studies. A student progresses level by level, and each level typically requires a pass in the majority of subjects from the level before it.
Engineering Studies (N1–N6)
Ikhala offers NATED Engineering Studies in three main streams: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. Entry into N4, the first level in this pathway, requires one of the following:
- A pass in all, or at least three, of the relevant N3 subjects, or
- A Grade 12 pass with a Technical National Senior Certificate showing at least 40% in Technical Mathematics, Technical Science, and English, or
- An NCV Level 4 pass in the related engineering field (for example, NCV Electrical Engineering Studies for entry into N4 Electrical Engineering).
Where APS applies to engineering selection, the college generally uses an APS score of 22 as the benchmark, calculated from the applicant’s six best subjects. Because engineering N4 intakes are limited by workshop capacity, meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee placement — applicants with a stronger APS are prioritised when demand exceeds available spaces.
Progression through the engineering pathway works as follows:
| Level | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|
| N4 | N3 pass (all or three subjects) OR Grade 12 Technical NSC (40% Technical Maths, Technical Science, English) OR NCV Level 4 in the related field |
| N5 | Pass in all, or at least three, N4 subjects |
| N6 | Pass in all, or at least three, N5 subjects |
| National Diploma | Completion of N6 plus 18 months of relevant practical/workplace experience |
Business Studies (N4–N6)
Ikhala’s NATED Business Studies stream includes Business Management, Human Resources Management, Public Management, and Financial Management, among related specialisations. Entry into N4 requires:
- A Grade 12 pass with Accounting, or
- An NCV Level 4 qualification in Management, Finance, or Economics, or
- A Grade 12 pass together with an Introductory Certificate (N4) in Business Studies, where applicable to the specific specialisation.
N5 and N6 follow the same progression rule used across NATED programmes — a pass in all, or at least three, of the subjects from the preceding level.
Tourism and Hospitality (N4–N6)
For the Tourism stream under NATED, entry into N4 requires a Grade 12 pass with Tourism or Geography, or an NCV Level 4 qualification in Tourism. N5 and N6 again require a pass in three or more subjects (or all subjects) from the level before.
How the APS Score Is Calculated
Where Ikhala does apply an APS requirement — mainly for engineering-related programmes and select IT courses — the score is worked out using the applicant’s six best subjects from their most recent school report, which for NCV entry is usually the Grade 9 report rather than matric results. Each subject result converts to a point value on a standard scale (commonly running from 1 to 7, mirroring the matric achievement levels), and the six highest point values are added together to produce the final APS figure. A subject such as Mathematics or Technical Mathematics, together with English, is generally compulsory within that set of six for programmes with a technical orientation. Students unsure of their own APS score can request assistance from the admissions office at any Ikhala campus during the application period, since the calculation method can vary slightly depending on which school report is being used.
Applying to Ikhala TVET College
Applications to Ikhala are submitted online through the college’s student portal rather than in person. The general process follows six steps:
- Select the course and campus you wish to apply for.
- Complete the online application form with accurate personal and academic details.
- Attach certified copies of your ID document, most recent academic results, your next of kin’s ID copy, and proof of address.
- Review all entered information for accuracy before submission.
- Submit the completed application.
- Wait for a confirmation notice from the college, which will indicate whether the application has been received and is under review.
Documents must be certified copies, not originals or uncertified photocopies, and applicants should apply as early as possible within the stated intake window, since popular programmes such as engineering and IT often fill before the closing date. Ikhala is accredited for NSFAS funding, so eligible South African students can apply for financial assistance covering tuition, meals, and accommodation through the NSFAS system once they have a confirmed college application.
Choosing Between NCV and NATED at Ikhala
Students deciding between the two main pathways should weigh how each aligns with their academic background and career plan. NCV suits a student who has not yet completed matric and wants a vocational alternative that still allows progression to N4 study or higher education later. NATED suits a student who already holds matric, or an NCV Level 4 qualification, and wants a faster route into a specific N-level trade or technical career, since NATED study is shorter overall once workplace experience requirements are factored in. Both pathways lead to nationally recognised qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework, and both are accepted by employers across the engineering, business, IT, and hospitality sectors that Ikhala serves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ikhala TVET College require APS for all courses?
No. APS is mainly used for engineering NATED programmes and select IT-related NCV courses. Most other NCV programmes admit students based on a Grade 9 (or higher) school report rather than a calculated APS score.
What APS score is needed for engineering programmes at Ikhala?
An APS score of 22, calculated from the applicant’s best six subjects, is commonly used as the benchmark for NATED Engineering Studies selection at N4 level.
Can a student without matric apply to Ikhala TVET College?
Yes. NCV programmes accept applicants with a Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11 report, or an ABET Level 4/NQF Level 1 qualification. NATED programmes generally require matric or an NCV Level 4 qualification in a related field.
Is there a registration fee to apply?
Ikhala does not charge a registration fee for NCV or NATED applications. Tuition fees vary by programme and level, and NSFAS-funded students have their tuition costs covered in full.
Which campus offers engineering courses?
NATED and NCV engineering programmes are mainly handled at the Ezibeleni and Aliwal North campuses, though applicants should confirm current programme availability with the college before applying, since offerings can shift between intakes.