How to Verify If Your College is Registered and Accredited in SA

✅ How to Check If a College Is Registered and Accredited in South Africa

When pursuing tertiary education, one of the most important steps is ensuring that the college you choose is legitimate, registered, and accredited. This guarantees that the qualification you earn is recognized and valuable, and protects you from losing money to bogus institutions.

🚨 Beware of Bogus Colleges

While South Africa is home to more than 400 private colleges that are properly registered and offer quality education, there are still fraudulent colleges operating without accreditation.

Each year, some dishonest operators launch fake institutions claiming to be registered, tricking students into paying for courses that aren’t worth anything. That’s why it’s vital to verify a college’s legitimacy before you pay any registration or tuition fees.

🏛️ How To Check If a College Is Registered in South Africa

Here’s what you need to know:

• All public TVET colleges are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

• There are over 300 private colleges that are also registered and accredited by DHET to provide legitimate qualifications.

• Private colleges often offer specialized courses that are not available at public institutions, such as:

  • Sound Engineering

  • Fashion Design

  • Sports and Fitness

  • Film and Media Production

Before enrolling, ask the college to show:

• Proof of registration with DHET

• Accreditation certificates for the course(s) you plan to study

📞 You can also contact the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) directly to confirm if a college is registered:

• DHET Call Centre: 0800 87 22 22

• Tel: 012 312 6300 / 012 312 5881

🆚 Registration vs Accreditation – What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between registration and accreditation is crucial.

📋 Registration

• All private colleges must be registered with the DHET.

• Registration ensures that the institution is financially stable and able to operate throughout your course duration.

• Registered colleges are part of a fidelity fund, which can refund students if the institution shuts down unexpectedly.

🎓 Accreditation

• Accreditation is about the quality of the course being offered.

• It means that the curriculum meets industry and educational standards, and the qualification you receive is recognized nationally.

• A course can only be accredited by the relevant Quality Assurance Body (e.g. Umalusi, CHE, QCTO).

🔎 So, always make sure:

• The college is registered

• The specific course you want to take is accredited

🔗 Where Can You Find Registered Colleges?

👉 CLICK HERE TO FIND A REGISTERED EDUCATION INSTITUTION
(Insert the official link to the DHET list of registered institutions)

📞 Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether a college is legitimate, don’t hesitate to contact DHET:

• DHET Call Centre: 0800 87 22 22

• Telephone: 012 312 6300 / 012 312 5881

✅ Make sure your investment in education pays off by choosing a registered and accredited institution. Don’t risk your future on a qualification that might not be recognized.