How to Check if a College is Registered with DHET (Avoid Scams 2026)

Key Takeaways: The “Fly-by-Night” Survival Guide

• The Golden Rule: If a college is not on the DHET Register, it is operating illegally (with one exception).
• The Three Pillars: A valid college must have DHET Registration (License), CHE/Umalusi Accreditation (Quality), and SAQA Registration (NQF ID).
• The Check: You must check if the specific campus and the specific course are listed.
• The Loophole: Some “Skills Colleges” are accredited by SETAs (like QCTO) and won’t appear on the main DHET register.
• Red Flag: If they ask you to pay fees via eWallet or at a Money Market, run away.

Every January, thousands of desperate students are scammed. They pay R5,000 registration fees to a “College” operating above a KFC in the CBD, only to find the doors chained shut in June. Or worse, they study for 3 years and receive a “Diploma” that employers laugh at because it has no SAQA ID.

In South Africa, the word “Registered” is thrown around loosely. A college might be registered as a Company (Pty Ltd) with CIPC, but that does not mean it is registered as an Educational Institution.

This guide will teach you the official way to verify any private college in South Africa using the 2026 government registers.

1. The “Three Pillar” Check

Before you look at any list, understand that a valid qualification needs three stamps of approval. If one is missing, the paper is worthless.

1. DHET (Department of Higher Education & Training):
   • Role: They give the college the License to Operate.
   • Proof: A Registration Certificate Number (e.g., 2007/HE07/002).
2. CHE / Umalusi / QCTO:
   • Role: They check the Quality of the teaching.
   • Proof: An Accreditation Letter.
3. SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority):
   • Role: They register the qualification on the NQF (National Qualifications Framework).
   • Proof: A SAQA ID Number (e.g., ID 90556).

2. Step 1: Check the Official DHET Registers (PDFs)

The DHET publishes two separate lists. You must look in the right one.

List A: The Register of Private Higher Education Institutions

• Who is on this list? Colleges offering Degrees (Bachelor, Masters) and Diplomas (Level 6).
• Examples: Rosebank College, MANCOSA, Richfield, Varsity College.
• How to Check:
  1. Go to www.dhet.gov.za.
  2. Navigate to Resources > Registers.
  3. Download the PDF titled: “Register of Private Higher Education Institutions [Date]”.
  4. Ctrl + F and search for the college name.

List B: The Register of Private Colleges (TVET)

• Who is on this list? Colleges offering NATED (N1-N6) and NCV courses.
• Examples: Engineering and Business colleges in the CBD.
• How to Check:
  1. On the same DHET page, download: “Register of Private Colleges [Date]”.
  2. Ctrl + F and search for the college name.

Crucial Warning:

Finding the college name is not enough. You must look at the “Registered Sites of Delivery” column in the PDF.

• Example: “Joburg City College” might be registered to operate in Braamfontein, but they have opened a new campus in Germiston that is NOT on the list. If you study at the illegal Germiston campus, your results might not be recognized.

3. Step 2: The “SETA Loophole” (Why some legit colleges aren’t on the list)

This is where it gets confusing.

Some colleges offer Occupational Qualifications (like “Project Management Level 4” or “Welding”). These fall under the QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) and the various SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities).

• The Rule: These colleges are sometimes exempted from registering with the DHET if they only offer SETA courses.
• How to Verify Them:
  • They will not be on the main DHET PDF.
  • Instead, ask them for their SETA Accreditation Number.
  • Go to the relevant SETA website (e.g., Services SETA, MerSETA, FASSET) and search their list of “Accredited Providers.”

4. Step 3: Verify the Course (SAQA Check)

A college might be legal, but the course you are doing might be fake.

• Scenario: A college is accredited to offer a “Diploma in IT,” but they secretly start teaching a “Diploma in Nursing” without permission.
• The Check:
  1. Ask the college for the SAQA ID of the course.
  2. Go to the SAQA Searchable Database: http://regqs.saqa.org.za.
  3. Type in the ID.
  4. Check the status. It must say “Registered” (not “Expired”).
  5. Check the “Provider” name. It must match the college you are applying to.

5. Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam “Fly-by-Night”

If you see any of these signs, do not pay the deposit.

1. The “Pep Store” Payment

• Legitimate colleges have business bank accounts (Standard Bank, FNB, etc.) in the name of the institution (e.g., “City College Pty Ltd”).
• Scam: “Please deposit the registration fee at Shoprite Money Market or via eWallet to Mr. Dlamini.” NEVER do this.

2. The “Consultant” on the Street

• Legitimate colleges have campuses. They do not have agents walking around the taxi rank handing out flyers and taking cash deposits on the spot.

3. The Name Game

• Scammers often steal names that sound like famous universities.
• Fake: “Johannesburg University of Technology” (sounds like UJ + TUT).
• Fake: “Pretoria City University” (sounds like UP).
• Check: Look carefully at the logo and the spelling.

4. No Landline

• If the only contact number is a Cell C number or a WhatsApp line, be suspicious. Legitimate institutions usually have a landline (011, 012, 021).

5. “Guaranteed Jobs”

• No college can guarantee you a job. If they promise “Job Placement Guaranteed” in the contract, they are lying to get your money.

6. What to do if you are scammed?

If you realize you have paid money to a bogus college:

1. Stop Paying: Do not pay any further tuition fees.
2. Report to DHET:
   • Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 872 222
   • Email: callcentre@dhet.gov.za
3. Report to SAPS: Open a case of fraud at your nearest police station. You will need the case number to try and claim money back from your bank (though this is difficult).

Summary: Trust but Verify

Do not be pressured by “Spaces are filling up fast!” sales tactics. A legitimate college will be happy to show you their:

1. DHET Registration Certificate.
2. Umalusi/CHE Accreditation Letter.
3. List of Campuses.

If they hide this info, hide your wallet.

Disclaimer: Registration statuses change monthly. Always consult the latest updated PDF on the DHET website before enrolling.