Key Takeaways: The Private Option
- The Reality: “Private University” is a marketing term. Legally, they are Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs).
- The “Big 3” Accreditation: To be legal, a college must be registered with DHET, accredited by CHE, and its qualifications registered on SAQA.
- The Top Tier: Institutions like Varsity College, Eduvos, and Stadio offer degrees equivalent to public universities (NQF 7/8).
- The Niche Leaders: AFDA (Film), Red & Yellow (Marketing), and Richfield (IT) are often industry leaders in their specific fields.
- Scam Alert: If a college cannot give you a SAQA ID for your specific course, do not enroll.
In 2026, getting into a public university like Wits or UCT is statistically harder than getting into Harvard. With 800,000 matriculants fighting for 200,000 public seats, the private sector has exploded.
However, the private sector is a minefield. For every world-class institution like Eduvos, there are five “colleges” operating illegally out of a rented office in the CBD.
This guide provides a curated list of the most reputable, fully accredited private institutions in South Africa for 2026, categorized by what they teach best.
1. The “Big Campus” Experience (General)
These institutions feel most like a traditional university. They have large campuses, sports teams, student representative councils (SRCs), and a wide range of faculties.
1. Eduvos (Formerly Pearson Institute)
- Focus: Science, IT, Humanities, Law, Arts.
- Vibe: Massive, modern campuses (Midrand, Tygerberg, Bedfordview). They are currently the largest private university in SA.
- Best for: Students who want a BSc in IT or Biomedicine but missed the public university cutoff.
2. The IIE’s Varsity College
- Focus: Law, Business, Psychology, IT.
- Vibe: Premium. Known for a very active social life and sports culture.
- Accreditation: Their degrees are conferred by The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE), which is internationally recognized.
- Best for: The BCom and LLB (Law) degrees.
3. The IIE’s Rosebank College
- Focus: Business, IT, Education, Logistics.
- Vibe: Urban and affordable. Located in city centres (Braamfontein, Pretoria CBD, Durban).
- Best for: High-value Diplomas and Degrees at a lower price point than Varsity College.
4. STADIO Higher Education
- History: A merger of Southern Business School, Embury (Teaching), and LISOF (Fashion).
- Focus: Education, Policing, Fashion, Law.
- Best for: Bachelor of Education (BEd). They are arguably the biggest trainer of teachers outside the public sector.
2. The Specialists: Business & Management
For students who want a corporate career, MBA, or entrepreneurial skills.
1. MANCOSA
- Mode: Primarily Distance Learning (Online).
- Focus: Business Administration, Supply Chain, Project Management.
- Flagship: The MBA. It is widely respected in the SADC region.
- Best for: Working professionals who need to upskill while earning.
2. Regent Business School
- Focus: Management, Accounting, Islamic Finance.
- Vibe: Corporate and professional.
- Best for: The BCom in Accounting and MBA.
3. Milpark Education
- Focus: Banking, Investment, Insurance, Commerce.
- Status: The preferred training provider for major banks (FNB, Standard Bank).
- Best for: BCom in Banking and Financial Planning (CFP).
4. Regenesys Business School
- Focus: Public Management, Business.
- Best for: Their Bachelor of Public Management is popular with government employees.
3. The Specialists: IT & Technology
For coders, network engineers, and data scientists.
1. Richfield (Formerly PC Training)
- Focus: IT, Network Engineering, Business.
- Perk: Famous for including a Laptop/Tablet in their tuition fees.
- Best for: BSc in IT and Diploma in IT (Network Engineering).
2. CTU Training Solutions
- Focus: Certification-based IT training (Cisco, Microsoft, Azure) + Design.
- Vibe: Very technical and practical.
- Best for: Students who want industry certifications alongside their diploma.
3. Belgium Campus iTversity
- Location: Pretoria / Kempton Park.
- Focus: Pure, hardcore Software Engineering.
- Reputation: Extremely high employment rate. Industry giants often recruit students before they graduate.
- Best for: Bachelor of Computing.
4. The Specialists: Creative Arts, Film & Design
For the artists, filmmakers, and designers. These colleges require a Portfolio for admission.
1. AFDA
- Focus: Film, Television, Performance, Creative Innovation.
- Alumni: Many of SA’s top directors and actors studied here.
- Best for: BA in Motion Picture Medium.
2. The IIE’s Vega School
- Focus: Brand Building, Graphic Design, Game Design, Digital Marketing.
- Vibe: “Agency” style. Very cool, creative campuses.
- Best for: BA in Strategic Brand Communication.
3. Red & Yellow Creative School of Business
- Focus: Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Design.
- Reputation: Known as the “Harvard of Advertising” in Cape Town.
- Best for: Digital Marketing and Art Direction.
4. Open Window
- Location: Centurion.
- Focus: Animation, Game Design, Visual Communication.
- Best for: 3D Animation and Interaction Design.
5. Inscape
- Focus: Interior Design, Graphic Design, Architectural Technology.
- Best for: Bachelor of Design.
5. How to Verify Accreditation (The Scam Check)
Before you pay a deposit to any college (even one on this list), you must verify three things. Scammers often copy the names of real colleges.
Step 1: Check the DHET Registration
- Go to the Department of Higher Education (DHET) website.
- Download the “Register of Private Higher Education Institutions 2026”.
- Search: Ctrl+F the college name.
- Check: Look at the “Registered Sites of Delivery” column. If the campus is in Polokwane but the register only lists Cape Town, that Polokwane campus might be illegal.
Step 2: Check the SAQA ID
- Ask the college for the SAQA ID of the specific course (e.g., Bachelor of IT).
- Go to
https://allqs.saqa.org.za/. - Search the ID.
- Status: It must say “Registered” (not Expired).
- Provider: It must list the college name.
Step 3: Check for “Umalusi” vs “CHE”
- If you are studying a Degree or Diploma (NQF 5-8), the accreditation comes from the CHE (Council on Higher Education).
- If you are studying a Trade or Matric Rewrite (NQF 1-4), the accreditation usually comes from Umalusi or a SETA.
- Red Flag: If a college claims their Degree is accredited by Umalusi, they are lying. Umalusi does not accredit degrees.
6. Public vs. Private: The Difference
| Feature | Public University (e.g., Wits) | Private Institution (e.g., Eduvos) |
| Funding | NSFAS Accepted | NO NSFAS (Cash / Bank Loan) |
| Class Size | Huge (300+ in 1st year) | Small (30-60 students) |
| Admission | Strict APS / Points | Flexible (Often interview-based) |
| Structure | Theory-heavy | Career/Work-ready focus |
| Prestige | High (Traditional) | Growing (Industry relevant) |
Summary: You Have Options
If you were rejected by UJ or UP, your life is not over. A degree from Varsity College or Eduvos is legally identical (NQF Level 7) to a public university degree. Employers in 2026 care less about where you studied and more about what you can do.
Action: Pick 2 or 3 institutions from this list. Visit their campus this week. Ask to see their “Registration Certificate” (it must be displayed in the reception). If they have it, apply.
Disclaimer: Accreditation status can change. Always verify the latest registration certificate on the official DHET website before paying fees.