Port Elizabeth TVET College, often referred to as PE College, is a public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institution based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape. The college was formed in January 2002 through the merger of three former technical colleges: Russell Road College, Bethelsdorp, and Iqhayiya. It falls under the Department of Higher Education and Training and prepares students for employment, apprenticeships, and further study through a combination of classroom theory and practical, hands-on training.
This article sets out the courses Port Elizabeth TVET College offers, the entry requirements for each qualification, which campuses run specific programmes, and the fees a student should budget for.
Overview of Port Elizabeth TVET College
PE College’s slogan, “Get Ahead, Get an Education,” reflects its focus on equipping students with practical skills that translate directly into employment or entrepreneurship. The college structures its qualifications around National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes and NATED (Report 191) programmes, offered across several campuses that each specialise in a particular field, along with central administration functions coordinated through its Victoria Site.
The college’s core fields of study include engineering, business management, office administration, safety studies, hospitality, tourism, and information technology, giving prospective students a fairly wide spread of career paths to choose from within one institution.
Port Elizabeth TVET College Campuses
| Campus | Main Focus |
|---|---|
| Russell Road Campus | Business and marketing studies: Tourism, Financial Management, Marketing Management, Hospitality |
| Dower Campus | NCV Office Administration, Safety in Society, Transport and Logistics; NATED Business Management, Human Resource Management, Management Assistant, Public Management |
| Iqhayiya Campus | Engineering: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| Kemsley Park Campus | Additional programme delivery supporting the college’s wider intake |
| Central Administration & Victoria Site | Coordinates institutional operations across all campuses |
Because programme placement is fairly fixed by campus, applicants should check which site offers their intended course before applying, particularly for NATED programmes where Iqhayiya Campus handles the engineering streams and Dower and Russell Road campuses handle business and utility studies.
Courses Offered at Port Elizabeth TVET College
PE College’s course offering follows the standard South African public TVET structure of NCV programmes at NQF Levels 2 to 4 and NATED (Report 191) programmes from N1 to N6, supplemented by apprenticeships, learnerships, and pre-vocational learning programmes.
1. National Certificate Vocational (NCV)
The NCV is a three-year, full-time qualification for students who hold a minimum of Grade 9, 10, or 11, or an ABET Level 4 certificate. It is structured at NQF Levels 2, 3, and 4, with each level completed over one academic year, and progression to the next level depending on passing the level directly before it.
NCV programmes at Port Elizabeth TVET College include:
- Management
- Office Administration
- Safety in Society
- Marketing
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Mechatronics
- Engineering and Related Design
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Hospitality
- Tourism
Engineering-focused NCV streams, such as Civil Engineering and Building Construction, Mechatronics, and Electrical Infrastructure Construction, generally sit within the college’s engineering offering at Iqhayiya Campus, while business and service-oriented NCV streams such as Office Administration, Safety in Society, and Transport and Logistics are based at Dower Campus.
2. NATED (Report 191) Programmes – N1 to N6
NATED programmes at PE College are divided into three broad categories: Engineering Studies, Business Studies, and Utility Studies, and are aimed at students who already hold a Grade 12 certificate or an equivalent NCV Level 4 pass. These programmes run on a trimester basis, and the college opens intakes at more than one point in the year, including a Trimester 2 window for both new N4 applicants and returning N4–N6 students.
NATED Engineering Studies, offered at Iqhayiya Campus, covers:
- Civil Engineering (N1–N6)
- Electrical Engineering (N1–N6)
- Mechanical Engineering (N1–N6)
Entry requires a Grade 12 pass with Mathematics and Physical Sciences, a Grade 12 pass with relevant technical subjects, or an NCV Level 4 pass in a related field. Entry into N1 requires only a Grade 9 pass, giving students without a full Grade 12 an alternative route into engineering training.
NATED Business Studies, offered mainly at Dower Campus, covers:
- Business Management (N4–N6)
- Human Resource Management (N4–N6)
- Management Assistant (N4–N6)
- Public Management (N4–N6)
- Financial Management (N4–N6)
- Legal Secretary (N4–N6)
- Marketing Management (N4–N6)
Entry requires a Grade 12 certificate with Accounting or Business Studies, relevant commercial subjects, or an NCV Level 4 pass.
NATED Utility Studies, offered mainly at Russell Road Campus, covers:
- Tourism (N4–N6)
- Hospitality (N4–N6)
Entry requires a Grade 12 certificate with Business Studies, Hospitality, or Tourism as prior subjects, or an NCV Level 4 pass.
As with NATED programmes at other public TVET colleges, students who complete N4 to N6 in any stream must complete a period of relevant practical work experience before qualifying for the National N Diploma, since the N6 certificate alone is not the final diploma qualification.
Table: Summary of Course Types at Port Elizabeth TVET College
| Qualification Type | Entry Requirement | Duration | Study Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCV (Levels 2–4) | Grade 9, 10, or 11, or ABET Level 4 | 3 years (1 year per level) | Full-time, academic year |
| NATED N1–N6 (Engineering) | Grade 9 for N1; Grade 12 with Maths/Physical Sciences or NCV Level 4 for N4 | Trimester-based, plus work experience for the diploma | Full-time |
| NATED N4–N6 (Business Studies) | Grade 12 with Accounting/Business Studies or NCV Level 4 | Trimester-based, plus work experience for the diploma | Full-time |
| NATED N4–N6 (Utility Studies) | Grade 12 with Business Studies/Hospitality/Tourism or NCV Level 4 | Trimester-based, plus work experience for the diploma | Full-time |
Port Elizabeth TVET College Fees
Fees at Port Elizabeth TVET College are subsidised in line with public TVET pricing and generally range from around R2,000 to R30,000 per year, depending on the programme level and specialisation. NCV programmes fall toward the lower to mid-range, while NATED N4–N6 courses can cost more due to their specialised, more technical content.
A rough breakdown of estimated annual fees looks like this:
| Programme Category | Estimated Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Business and Management Programmes (NCV/NATED) | Approximately R6,000 – R12,000 |
| Engineering Programmes (NCV/NATED) | Higher end of the range, due to workshop and laboratory costs |
| Utility Studies (Tourism, Hospitality) | Mid-range, depending on practical components |
An important point for new applicants: students are generally not admitted unless their fees are paid in full or a payment arrangement has been made with the college’s finance office. This makes it worth confirming, before registration, either that NSFAS funding has been approved or that an alternative payment plan is in place.
All applicants must also complete a mandatory competency test prescribed by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which assesses English proficiency, basic mathematics, and reasoning ability, before being placed into their chosen programme.
Because fee schedules are reviewed annually and remain subject to approval by the college’s Governing Council, prospective students should confirm the exact figure for their programme through the official fees booklet available on the college’s website or through the finance office at their intended campus.
NSFAS Funding at Port Elizabeth TVET College
Port Elizabeth TVET College is fully accredited for NSFAS funding, and both NCV and NATED programmes are eligible. For qualifying South African citizens from poor and working-class households, NSFAS provides a government grant, not a loan, that covers tuition in full and can extend to a living allowance covering accommodation, meals, books, transport, and personal necessities.
The NSFAS application is completed separately from the college application, through the official NSFAS website, and students are encouraged to apply as soon as the funding window opens for the relevant academic year, since approval needs to be in place before registration in most cases.
How to Apply to Port Elizabeth TVET College
- Apply online through the college’s official website at www.pecollege.edu.za and create a student account.
- Enter your personal and academic information, including your prior school results and ID details.
- Select your preferred programme and campus, checking in advance which campus runs your intended course.
- Upload the required certified documents, including your ID, your parent or guardian’s ID, your most recent academic results, and proof of address, through the secure online portal.
- Complete the mandatory competency test assessing English proficiency, basic mathematics, and reasoning skills.
- Submit your application before the closing date; the main annual intake generally runs from 1 September to 30 September for the following academic year, with a separate Trimester 2 window opening around March for new N4 applicants and returning NATED students.
- Apply separately for NSFAS funding through the official NSFAS website.
- Wait for an admission outcome, then complete registration and any required fee arrangements at your assigned campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NCV and NATED at Port Elizabeth TVET College?
NCV is a three-year, annual qualification for students from Grade 9, 10, or 11 upward, running at NQF Levels 2 to 4. NATED (Report 191) is a trimester-based programme divided into Engineering, Business, and Utility Studies, generally requiring a Grade 12 certificate or NCV Level 4 pass, running from N1 or N4 through N6, with the National N Diploma awarded only after the required period of relevant work experience.
How much does it cost to study at Port Elizabeth TVET College?
Fees generally range from about R2,000 to R30,000 per year. Business and Management programmes typically cost between R6,000 and R12,000 per year, while Engineering programmes sit at the higher end due to workshop and laboratory costs.
Can I get NSFAS funding at Port Elizabeth TVET College?
Yes. The college is fully accredited for NSFAS funding, and both NCV and NATED programmes qualify. Eligible students can have tuition covered in full, along with a living allowance for accommodation, meals, books, and transport.
Which campus offers engineering courses?
NATED Engineering Studies, covering Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering, is offered at Iqhayiya Campus.
Do I need to write a test to apply at Port Elizabeth TVET College?
Yes. All applicants must complete a mandatory competency test that assesses English proficiency, basic mathematics, and reasoning ability, as prescribed by the Department of Higher Education and Training.