Sekhukhune TVET College is a public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institution serving the Sekhukhune District in Limpopo, an area that stretches from Groblersdal through to Burgersfort and the surrounding platinum-mining belt. The college is accredited by Umalusi and governed under the Continuing Education and Training Act, and it exists to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce through practical, industry-aligned training. This article explains the courses on offer, the application dates for the coming academic year, how NSFAS funding applies to Sekhukhune students, and the precise steps needed to submit an application.
About Sekhukhune TVET College
Sekhukhune TVET College came about through the merger of two former technical colleges, CS Barlow College and CN Phatudi College, which is why its two main campuses still carry those names today. The college operates from the CS Barlow Campus in Motetema, outside Groblersdal, the CN Phatudi Campus in Praktiseer, outside Burgersfort, and additional delivery sites including a campus serving the Apel and Ga-Nchabeleng area. A Skills Development Centre also forms part of the college’s footprint, supporting shorter, occupation-specific training.
Because the district sits at the centre of Limpopo’s platinum mining industry, alongside large-scale commercial farming, Sekhukhune TVET College positions much of its engineering and technical training to feed directly into these sectors. The CN Phatudi Campus, being closest to the mining operations around Burgersfort, places particular emphasis on trades such as fitting and electrical work that mining companies in the area recruit for. The CS Barlow Campus, based in Motetema, is generally regarded as the stronger option for civil engineering and information technology training, though both campuses offer overlapping NCV and NATED programmes.
Courses Offered at Sekhukhune TVET College
Sekhukhune TVET College structures its academic offering around two main qualification types, National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes and Report 191 (NATED) programmes, supported by shorter skills and occupational programmes run through the Skills Development Centre.
NCV programmes run across Levels 2, 3, and 4, corresponding broadly to Grades 10 to 12, and combine classroom theory with hands-on workshop or laboratory training. Both the CS Barlow and CN Phatudi campuses offer NCV programmes in the following fields:
- Engineering and Related Design
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Office Administration
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Hospitality
NATED (Report 191) programmes run at Sekhukhune from N4 through to N6 and are aimed at students who already hold a relevant NCV Level 4 qualification, a matric certificate, or an equivalent N3 qualification for engineering streams. Students complete these programmes through a combination of trimester-based classroom study and required practical or workplace experience. NATED offerings at Sekhukhune include:
- Engineering Studies (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical)
- Business Studies (Management Assistant, Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing Management, Public Management)
Skills and occupational programmes are shorter courses focused on a specific trade or workplace competency, and they are generally aimed at unemployed youth or students who want a fast route into artisan-level work. These programmes are typically run through the college’s Skills Development Centre and change periodically depending on funding partnerships with SETAs such as the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and the Wholesale and Retail SETA, both of which have offices hosted at the CN Phatudi Campus.
The table below summarises how the three main study pathways compare.
| Programme Type | Entry Requirement | Typical Duration | Where Offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCV (Level 2–4) | Grade 9, 10 or 11, or National Certificate Level 1/ABET Level 4 | 1 year per level (3 years total) | CS Barlow and CN Phatudi campuses |
| NATED / Report 191 (N4–N6) | Matric, NCV Level 4, or N3 in a related field | Trimester-based, roughly one trimester per level | CS Barlow and CN Phatudi campuses |
| Skills & Occupational Programmes | Varies by programme, often Grade 12 or NCV Level 4 | Weeks to several months | Skills Development Centre |
Entry Requirements by Course Category
Requirements differ depending on the stream a student wants to enter, and it helps to check the exact subject combination a chosen course requires before applying.
For NCV Level 2 entry, applicants need to have completed Grade 9, holding a National Certificate Level 1, or an equivalent ABET Level 4 certificate. Progression from NCV Level 2 to Level 3, and Level 3 to Level 4, depends on successfully completing the prior level, and a student may only be registered on two consecutive NCV levels within the same academic year.
For NATED Engineering Studies (N4–N6), applicants generally need matric with Mathematics and a related technical or science subject, or an NCV Level 4 qualification in an engineering field, or an N3 pass for students progressing within the NATED stream itself.
For NATED Business Studies (N4–N6), applicants typically need matric with Accounting, Business Studies, or Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy, or an NCV Level 4 in a related commercial field.
All new applicants, regardless of stream, are required to complete a Pre-Entry Assessment, also referred to as a placement test, before the college’s online application system allows the application to proceed. This assessment is used to check a candidate’s suitability for their chosen programme and to guide placement where an applicant’s first choice is not the best academic fit.
Application Dates for the Upcoming Intake
Sekhukhune TVET College follows the standard DHET application calendar used across South Africa’s public TVET colleges, though its application windows tend to run for a shorter period than some other colleges, so early action matters.
For the main NCV intake, applications generally open around September of the preceding year and close by November, ahead of the January start of the academic year. Because NCV is a year-long programme equivalent to a school grade, it is not possible to join mid-year, so students who miss the September to November window need to wait for the following year’s intake.
For NATED programmes, Sekhukhune runs additional trimester-based application windows during the year itself, since NATED study is structured in shorter blocks rather than a single annual intake. A second-trimester intake for Engineering Studies typically opens in March or April, while a second-semester Business Studies intake typically opens around April, both leading to classes starting from around May to July depending on the specific programme and trimester.
The Pre-Entry Assessment (placement test) is offered at set periods during the year, most notably in September and October, and again in January. Students are strongly encouraged to write the placement test as early as possible, ideally during the September sitting, since completing it early secures a stronger position in the queue for limited spaces once the application period opens.
Because these dates shift slightly from year to year and application windows tend to be short, it is worth confirming the exact opening and closing dates directly with the college shortly before the period you are targeting.
How to Apply to Sekhukhune TVET College
Applications to Sekhukhune TVET College are completed entirely online through the Coltech application portal linked from the college’s official website. Paper applications submitted at a campus gate are not accepted; every application must go through the online system.
- Complete the Pre-Entry Assessment first. Before the application portal will accept a new application, first-time applicants must complete the online placement test, which the system uses to confirm suitability for the chosen programme.
- Choose your campus and programme. Decide between the CS Barlow Campus in Motetema and the CN Phatudi Campus in Praktiseer based on which offers your intended field of study, and select between NCV and NATED depending on your existing qualifications.
- Gather your documents. You will need a certified copy of your South African ID document, your most recent school report or matric certificate, and proof of residence, with certified copies generally required to be no older than three months.
- Register and apply on the Coltech portal. Create an account on the online application system, select the 2027 academic year, choose your registration type (full-time or part-time), select your course, and complete the application form.
- Upload documents and submit. Applications submitted without the full set of required documents are not processed, so confirm that everything is attached before submitting.
- Pay the registration fee. Sekhukhune TVET College charges a non-refundable registration fee of around R1,000, which forms part of the admission process once a place is confirmed.
- Track your application status. Applicants can log in to the student portal to check progress, and the college communicates outcomes through the contact details submitted on the application form.
NSFAS Funding at Sekhukhune TVET College
Sekhukhune TVET College is registered with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and students who qualify receive full tuition coverage along with a monthly allowance that supports accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.
To qualify, an applicant’s combined household income must generally be at or below R350,000 per year, and the applicant must be a South African citizen registered or intending to register for an approved NCV or NATED programme at the college. NSFAS applications are made directly through NSFAS, not through the college itself, and follow this general process:
- Go to www.nsfas.org.za and register or log in to your myNSFAS account.
- Select “Apply” and complete the online form using accurate personal and household details.
- Upload supporting documents, including a certified copy of your ID, your parents’ or guardians’ ID documents or death certificate where applicable, and proof of household income.
- Submit the application and check its progress periodically through your myNSFAS profile.
Students who do not meet the NSFAS income threshold, or who are not eligible for other reasons, can look into alternative funding routes. These include Funza Lushaka bursaries for students entering teaching-related fields, other DHET bursary schemes, and student loan providers such as Eduloan or Fundi for self-funded students who need a payment structure. The college’s Finance Office can also arrange instalment plans for students paying their own tuition.
Tuition Fees
Full-time NCV programme fees at Sekhukhune TVET College generally range between R8,000 and R18,000 a year, depending on the specific programme and level. NATED programmes are charged per subject per semester, at approximately R600 to R1,200 per subject, which means the total cost depends on how many subjects a student is registered for in a given trimester. Students funded through NSFAS have their tuition fully covered, while self-funded students receive a detailed fee schedule alongside their admission letter, specifying the exact cost for their chosen qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do NCV applications open for the next academic year at Sekhukhune TVET College? NCV applications typically open around September of the preceding year and close in November, ahead of the January intake, though exact dates should be confirmed with the college closer to the time.
Can I apply for NATED programmes mid-year? Yes. Unlike NCV, NATED study is structured in trimesters, so Sekhukhune runs additional application windows during the year, generally opening around March or April for programmes starting mid-year.
Do I need to write a placement test before applying? Yes. All first-time applicants must complete the Pre-Entry Assessment online before the application system allows a formal application to be submitted.
Which campus should I choose for engineering studies? CS Barlow Campus in Motetema is generally the stronger choice for civil engineering and information technology, while CN Phatudi Campus in Praktiseer focuses more on trades linked to the mining sector, such as fitting and electrical work.
Is there a registration fee? Yes, Sekhukhune TVET College charges a non-refundable registration fee of approximately R1,000 once a place is confirmed.
How do I apply for NSFAS at Sekhukhune TVET College? NSFAS applications are submitted separately from the college application, directly through www.nsfas.org.za, and should ideally be completed around the same time as the college application.