Taletso TVET College is a public technical and vocational education institution formed through the merger of Lehurutshe College of Education, Mafikeng College, and Lichtenburg College. The college operates three campuses in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of the North West Province, situated around 80 kilometres apart, with its Central Office based in the same yard as the Mafikeng Campus. This article covers the courses on offer, the 2026 application windows, how NSFAS funding applies, and the exact steps required to apply.
About Taletso TVET College
Taletso TVET College targets students from communities around Itsoseng, Bodibe, Lichtenburg, Boikhutso, Biesiesvlei, Sannieshof, Ottosdal, Coligny, Mafikeng, Lehurutshe, and Zeerust, while remaining open to applicants from other areas, including neighbouring Botswana. The college offers a practical, affordable, career-oriented education, with deep roots in the North West community and a strong focus on preparing students for real-world employment.
As a public DHET institution, Taletso TVET College is NSFAS-eligible, providing qualifying students access to government financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. Online applications are open to all interested applicants irrespective of colour, race, ethnic identity, religion, gender, or national origin, provided they meet the specific programme requirements.
Campuses at Taletso TVET College
| Campus | District Area | Notable Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Mafikeng Campus | Central Office location | General NCV and NATED programmes |
| Lehurutshe Campus | Lehurutshe area | Engineering and vocational programmes |
| Lichtenburg Campus | Lichtenburg area | Primary Agriculture, general vocational programmes |
Because the three campuses sit roughly 80 kilometres apart, applicants should factor in commuting distance and campus-specific programme availability before finalising a course choice, particularly for Lichtenburg’s Primary Agriculture offering, which is tied specifically to that site.
Courses Offered at Taletso TVET College
Taletso TVET College offers accredited vocational programmes including NCV programmes (Levels 2 to 4) and NATED (Report 191) courses (N4 to N6), all nationally accredited and aligned with SAQA standards.
National Certificate (Vocational) — NCV, Levels 2 to 4: For NCV programmes, applicants typically need a Grade 9 qualification, an equivalent NQF Level 1, or an AET Level 4 for entry. NCV covers a broad spread of fields at the college, including Business Studies, Engineering Studies, Information Technology, and Hospitality and Tourism.
NATED (Report 191), N4 to N6: Entry requirements differ by level: N4 entry requires a Grade 12 pass or completion of an Intro N4 qualification, N5 entry requires an N4 Certificate, and N6 entry requires an N5 Certificate. NATED programmes at Taletso include Civil Engineering, Financial Management, and Public Management, delivered mainly through the Mafikeng and Lehurutshe campuses.
Business Studies: Covers Office Administration and business management, preparing students for administrative and organisational roles across a wide range of workplaces.
Engineering Studies: Offers technical and engineering trade qualifications, giving students hands-on training aligned with the region’s technical and industrial sectors.
Information Technology: Focuses on digital skills and computer technology, including programming, networking, and computer systems, preparing graduates for entry-level IT roles.
Hospitality and Tourism: Covers service industry and hospitality management training, aimed at students interested in the tourism and service economy.
Primary Agriculture: Delivered specifically through the Lichtenburg Campus, this programme develops agricultural sciences knowledge relevant to the surrounding farming community, including crop management, livestock care, and sustainable farming practices.
Economic Management Sciences: Covers business and financial management, giving students a commerce-focused qualification pathway alongside the standard NCV and NATED business streams.
Community Services and Social Development: Includes programmes focused on community health, wellness, and social support services, such as Educare, which prepares students for roles in early childhood development and community-based care work.
Fees at Taletso TVET College
Annual tuition fees at Taletso TVET College range from approximately R3,500 to R12,000 per year, depending on whether a student is enrolled in an NCV programme or a Report 191 (NATED) course. Engineering and IT programmes typically carry higher fees than other streams due to the specialised equipment and materials these fields require.
| Cost Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition (NCV/NATED) | R3,500 – R12,000 |
| Registration fee | R250 – R400 |
| Textbooks and materials | R1,500 – R4,000 annually |
Beyond tuition and registration, students should also budget for practical gear and stationery specific to their chosen programme. Many students offset these costs through NSFAS financial aid, which covers tuition and registration fees for qualifying applicants.
Application Dates for 2026
Taletso TVET College follows a structured annual application calendar, with the main window supplemented by a limited late re-opening for select programmes.
The main application window for the 2026 academic year opened on 1 September 2025 and closed on 30 September 2025, covering the college’s full range of NCV and NATED programmes across all three campuses. The college receives thousands of applications each year, and spaces are limited across its campuses and programmes, so prospective students were strongly encouraged not to wait until the final week to apply. Once this closing date passed, late applications were generally not considered, meaning students who missed the window risked losing access to their preferred course entirely.
Following the main window, Taletso TVET College opened a limited re-opening period for 2026 admissions, running from 15 to 22 December 2025. This narrow window covered only specific N4 courses in Engineering and Financial Management at the Mafikeng, Lichtenburg, and Lehurutshe campuses, and applicants were required to apply only for the exact courses and campuses listed for this particular re-opening rather than the college’s full programme range.
Application Windows at a Glance
| Intake | Programmes Covered | 2026 Window |
|---|---|---|
| Main annual intake | Full NCV and NATED range, all campuses | 1 September – 30 September 2025 |
| Limited re-opening | N4 Engineering and Financial Management only | 15 December – 22 December 2025 |
Because the December re-opening window is deliberately narrow and limited in scope, applicants should confirm through the official Taletso website whether a similar late window is available for future intakes rather than assuming it will repeat on the same dates each year.
The Placement Test
All applicants to Taletso TVET College are strongly advised to complete their Placement Test on their Learner Profile before submitting a formal application. Failure to complete this placement test may affect the outcome of an application, since the college uses these results to help confirm that a student is suited to their chosen programme before finalising admission.
Required Documents
Applicants need to submit certified and scanned copies of their South African ID, their latest academic results, and proof of residence. International students applying to Taletso TVET College must additionally include a passport and a valid study permit as part of their application. Some courses may also require specific subject passes, such as Mathematics or Science, particularly for Engineering and technical qualifications, so applicants should confirm subject-specific requirements for their intended programme before applying.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Taletso TVET College manages its applications through its official online portal, and the process follows a consistent structure across intake periods.
- Complete the Placement Test. Access the Learner Profiler on the Taletso website and complete this assessment before attempting to submit a formal application, since skipping it may affect the outcome.
- Visit the official Taletso TVET College website. Go to www.taletso.edu.za and click “Apply Now” to begin.
- Register an account. Use a valid email address to create a profile on the student portal, generating login credentials for tracking the application.
- Complete the application form. Fill in personal details and select the preferred course, such as Civil Engineering, Educare, or Public Management, ensuring all information is reviewed carefully for accuracy.
- Upload required documents. Submit certified copies of the applicant’s ID, latest academic results, and proof of residence; international students must also upload a passport and study permit.
- Review the application. Double-check all entered details and uploaded documents before proceeding, since incomplete submissions can delay or block processing.
- Submit the application before the closing date. Applying early is strongly recommended, since late applications are rarely accepted once a given window closes.
How NSFAS Funding Works at Taletso TVET College
Taletso TVET College is an NSFAS-eligible institution, meaning students who meet the scheme’s standard national criteria can access government financial aid covering tuition and registration fees. To qualify, students generally need to meet the usual NSFAS eligibility requirements applied across all public TVET colleges: South African citizenship, a combined household income within the scheme’s threshold, and enrolment in an accredited NCV or NATED programme at the college.
NSFAS applications are submitted separately from the college application, through the official NSFAS platform, rather than through Taletso’s own admissions portal. Students seeking a fully funded place need to complete both processes independently and within a similar timeframe to avoid delays in confirming funded status at registration. Once approved, NSFAS-funded students at Taletso have their tuition and registration fees covered directly, reducing the financial burden that self-paying students need to plan for separately across the full annual fee range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply to Taletso TVET College? Yes. International applicants can apply provided they meet the college’s admission criteria, and they must additionally submit a passport and a valid study permit alongside the standard required documents.
Is the Placement Test compulsory? It is strongly advised rather than strictly compulsory, but failing to complete it may negatively affect the outcome of an application, since the college uses the results to help confirm suitable course placement.
Can I still apply if I missed the main September window? Possibly, through a limited re-opening period, such as the one that ran from 15 to 22 December 2025 for specific N4 Engineering and Financial Management courses at select campuses. This route is narrow and does not cover the full programme range.
Is NSFAS funding applied for through the Taletso application portal? No. NSFAS funding is applied for separately through the official NSFAS platform. The college’s own online application only covers admission to a specific programme.