Boland College Courses and Fees 2026: The Complete Guide

Key Takeaways: Boland Essentials

Location: Western Cape (Winelands & Overberg).

Campuses: 5 (Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, Strand, Caledon).

Specialty: Primary Agriculture (Worcester), Welding (Centre of Specialisation), and Hospitality.

Fees 2026: NCV Engineering (~R23,600/year), Business (~R11,900/year).

Application Mode: Online (i-Enabler).

Student Housing: Official residences are limited to Worcester and Stellenbosch (very high demand).

In the heart of South Africa’s most famous wine and fruit-producing region lies Boland TVET College. While Cape Town colleges like Northlink and False Bay focus on heavy industry and urban business, Boland College has carved out a unique niche: it serves the rural and semi-urban communities that drive the agricultural economy.

Covering a massive geographical area from the student town of Stellenbosch to the coastal strip of Strand and the mountains of Worcester, Boland College is a “decentralized” giant. This means you cannot simply “go to Boland College”—you have to know exactly which campus specializes in your field. You cannot study Agriculture in Strand, and you cannot study Engineering in Caledon.

For 2026, the college has released strict fee structures and admission guidelines. This comprehensive guide breaks down the 5 campuses, the cost of studying (including the expensive Agriculture courses), and how to navigate the compulsory online placement tests.

1. The 5 Campuses: Choose Your Landscape

Boland College’s campuses are far apart. Choosing the wrong one could mean a 100km commute. Here is the breakdown of what each campus offers in 2026.

1. Stellenbosch Campus (The Academic Hub)

Location: Van Riebeeck Street, Stellenbosch.
Vibe: Academic and prestigious. Located in the same town as Stellenbosch University, this campus has a vibrant student life but comes with high accommodation costs.
Focus: Tourism, Hospitality, and Business Studies.
Specialty: The Institute of Culinary Arts links closely with this campus, making it a prime spot for aspiring chefs who want to work in the local wine estates.

2. Paarl Campus (The Drakenstein Hub)

Location: Boland Street, Paarl.
Vibe: Historic and industrial. Paarl is a major manufacturing center.
Focus: Civil Engineering and Management.
Specialty: This campus hosts the Centre of Specialisation for Welding. If you want to be a master welder, this is the best-equipped campus in the province for that trade.

3. Worcester Campus (The Agricultural HQ)

Location: Rainier Street, Worcester.
Vibe: Rural and community-focused. This is the largest campus in terms of land area and serves the Breede Valley.
Focus: Primary Agriculture, Engineering, and skills training.
Specialty: It is the only campus offering Farming Management and Mechanisation. It has access to practical farming sites for students to learn about vineyards and fruit production.

4. Strand Campus (The Coastal Hub)

Location: Laker Street, Strand.
Vibe: Coastal and technical. Serves the Helderberg basin.
Focus: Electrical Engineering and Safety in Society.
Specialty: Known for its strong Electrical Infrastructure Construction program.

5. Caledon Campus (The Overberg Hub)

Location: Koalisie Street, Caledon.
Vibe: Small, intimate, and quiet.
Focus: Office Administration and Tourism.
Specialty: Ideal for students who find large campuses intimidating. It focuses on “Soft Skills” and service industry training.

2. 2026 Fee Structure (Detailed Breakdown)

Boland College is a public institution, meaning fees are subsidized by the state (80% funded). However, you still have to pay a portion. Below are the estimated 2026 fees based on the latest draft schedule.

Important for Cash Payers:

If you are not funded by NSFAS, you typically need to pay a 20% Deposit upon registration in January, with the balance payable in monthly installments.

National Certificate Vocational (NCV) – Per Year

These are 1-year full-time courses (Level 2, 3, or 4).

Programme	Estimated Annual Fee (2026)	Deposit (20%)
Office Administration	R 11,900	R 2,380
Safety in Society	R 12,200	R 2,440
Education & Development	R 12,900	R 2,580
IT & Computer Science	R 18,200	R 3,640
Electrical Infrastructure	R 18,300	R 3,660
Civil Engineering	R 18,400	R 3,680
Engineering & Related Design	R 23,600	R 4,720
Primary Agriculture	R 32,200	R 6,440

Note on Agriculture: The fee is significantly higher because of the practical costs (farming inputs, machinery, transport to farms).

NATED (Report 191) – Per Semester/Trimester

Business Studies (N4-N6): Approx. R 3,500 – R 4,200 per semester (6 months).
Engineering Studies (N1-N6): Approx. R 2,500 – R 3,000 per trimester (3 months).

Student Accommodation Fees

Private Accredited (Sharing): Approx. R 3,800 per month.
Private Accredited (Single): Approx. R 4,500 per month.
College Residence (Worcester/Stellenbosch): Fees vary, but typically range from R 28,000 – R 35,000 per year (excluding meals).

3. Admission Requirements 2026

Boland College is stricter than some rural colleges. They receive thousands of applications for limited seats, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee entry.

A. National Certificate Vocational (NCV) – Level 2

For: Students who have passed Grade 9, 10, or 11.
Requirement: Grade 9 Pass (Mathematics and English are critical).
Age: Preference is given to students under 22 years old for Level 2 entry.

B. Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP)

What is it? A “Bridging Year” for students who failed Grade 9 Math or Science but want to do Engineering.
Requirement: Grade 9 fail (with potential).
Outcome: If you pass PLP, you are guaranteed entry into NCV Level 2 Engineering the following year.
Fee: Approx. R 6,800 for the year.

C. Report 191 (NATED) – N4 Level

For: Matriculants.
Requirement: National Senior Certificate (NSC).
Engineering N4: Requires NSC with Mathematics and Physical Science (40%+).
- Math Literacy: Not accepted for direct entry into N4 Engineering. You must start at N2.
Farming Management N4: Requires Matric with Agricultural Sciences or Biology preferred.

4. How to Apply Online (The i-Enabler System)

Boland College utilizes the ITS i-Enabler platform. It is a rigorous process involving mandatory testing.

Step 1: The Compulsory Placement Tests

Before the system lets you pick a course, you must complete two online tests:
1. Numeracy Test: Checks your basic math skills.
2. Language Test: Checks your English reading comprehension.
Why? To stop you from failing. If you score low on Numeracy, the system will block you from selecting “Electrical Engineering” and suggest “General Construction” or “PLP” instead.

Step 2: Create Your Profile

Visit www.bolandcollege.com and click “Study Here” > “Apply Now”.
Select “New Applicant”.
Enter your ID Number to generate a Student Number.
Create a 5-digit PIN.

Step 3: Submit Application

Log in and select “Submit Application”.
Select Year: 2026.
Select Campus: (Review the campus list in Section 1 carefully!).
Select Course: e.g., “NCV: Primary Agriculture L2”.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Certified ID Copy.
Certified School Report (Grade 11 Final or Grade 12 June/Sept).
Proof of Residence.
Note: Documents must be clear PDFs. Blurred photos are rejected.

Step 5: The “Token” System (Returning Students)

If you are a returning student, you might need a “Registration Token” sent to your phone to register for the next level. New students do not need this.

5. Course Spotlight: Farming Management

This is Boland College’s flagship course, offered primarily at the Worcester Campus.

What you learn:

Crop Production: How to grow grapes, fruit, and grain.
Animal Production: Livestock management.
Mechanisation: How to fix and operate tractors and irrigation systems.
Agri-Business: How to run a farm as a profitable business (Accounts, HR).

Career Path:

Farm Manager.
Agricultural Sales Representative.
Winemaker Assistant.
Note: This qualification is highly sought after by the wine estates in Stellenbosch and Paarl.

6. Financial Aid (NSFAS)

Boland College students are eligible for the TVET Bursary Scheme administered by NSFAS.

Tuition: Paid 100% directly to the college.
Allowances:
- Transport: R7,800+ per year (if you live 10km+ from campus).
- Accommodation: Up to R45,000 per year (if you live in accredited private housing or college res).
Personal Care: Approx. R3,000 per year.
How to apply: You must apply on the myNSFAS portal. Do not rely on the college to do it for you.

FAQ: Boland College

Q: Does Boland College offer distance learning?

A: No. Unlike False Bay College, Boland focuses on Face-to-Face training. You are expected to attend classes daily. Attendance is strictly monitored (80% rule applies).

Q: Is there a hostel at the Paarl Campus?

A: No. Paarl and Strand campuses do not have official college residences. Students must find private accommodation in the town. Only Worcester and Stellenbosch have official hostels.

Q: Can I change campuses if I move?

A: It is difficult. Because courses are specialized (e.g., Welding is only in Paarl), you often cannot move your course to another campus. You would have to restart a different course.

Q: When do applications open for 2026?

Semester 1 (Business): September 2025.
Trimester 1 (Engineering): September 2025.
NCV (Year Courses): September 2025.
Late Applications: Usually open in the second week of January 2026 (check Facebook).

Conclusion: The “Country” Choice

Boland College offers a unique blend of high-quality education and a rural lifestyle. It is less chaotic than the city colleges, but the standards are just as high.

If you are interested in Agriculture, Welding, or Tourism, this is the best college in the Western Cape for you. But be warned: the relaxed country vibe does not apply to the administration. Deadlines are strict, and fees must be paid on time.

Go to the website today and complete the Career Guidance Test (Placement Test). It is free and available all year round. Getting it done now saves you hours of stress in January.

Disclaimer: Fees and course locations are subject to change. Always verify with the official Boland College 2026 Prospectus.