Northlink College Courses and Fees 2026: The Complete Guide

Key Takeaways: Northlink Essentials

Location: Northern Suburbs, Cape Town (Bellville, Parow, Goodwood).

Campuses: 7 Specialized Campuses (Wingfield, Tygerberg, Belhar, etc.).

Student Body: Over 50,000 students (One of the largest in SA).

Specialty: Heavy Engineering (Wingfield), Performing Arts (Tygerberg), and Building (Belhar).

Application Mode: Online Only (Coltech).

Registration Date: Semester 1 registration opens 06 January 2026.

If False Bay College owns the coast, Northlink TVET College owns the industrial heart of Cape Town.

Northlink is a giant. It is often referred to as a “Mega-College” because its facilities rival some universities. From the massive engineering workshops at Wingfield to the professional theatres at Tygerberg, Northlink is the primary feeder for Cape Town’s manufacturing, construction, and service industries.

However, its size can be intimidating. With seven campuses spread across the Northern Suburbs, choosing the wrong one is a common mistake. You cannot study “Hairdressing” at Wingfield, and you cannot study “Civil Engineering” at Tygerberg.

This guide acts as your GPS. We break down exactly which campus offers what, how much it costs in 2026, and how to navigate the strict online application system.

1. The 7 Campuses: The “Specialization” Model

Northlink doesn’t just duplicate courses at every campus. Each campus is a “Center of Excellence” for a specific field.

1. Wingfield Campus (The Factory)

Location: Vanguard Drive, Goodwood.
Focus: Heavy Engineering.
Vibe: Industrial. This is where the CNC machines, lathes, and welding bays are.
Courses: Fitting & Turning, Machining, Electrical Heavy Current, Automotive Repair.
Note: This is arguably the best-equipped TVET engineering workshop in the Western Cape.

2. Tygerberg Campus (The “University” Campus)

Location: Rothschild Boulevard, Panorama (near Mediclinic).¹
Focus: Hospitality, Performing Arts, Sport, and Business.
Vibe: Feels like a university. It has a functioning restaurant (Encore), a theatre, and sports fields.³
Courses: Professional Cookery, Sports Management, Drama/Arts, Business Management.

3. Belhar Campus (The Construction Hub)

Location: Proton Street, Belhar.
Focus: Civil Engineering and Building Construction.
Specialty: This is where you go to become a Bricklayer, Plumber, or Carpenter. It houses the “Building & Civil” faculty.

4. Parow Campus

Location: Connaught Road, Parow Valley.
Focus: Service Studies.
Specialty: Famous for Safety in Society (Police training), Primary Health, and Office Administration.⁷

5. Protea Campus

Location: 80 Voortrekker Road, Bellville.
Focus: Lifestyle & Clothing.
Specialty: Clothing Production (Fashion Design), Haircare, and Cosmetology. If you want to work in fashion or beauty, this is your campus.

6. Bellville Campus

Location: Sackville Street, Bellville.
Focus: Business Studies and Theory.
Specialty: Offers the theoretical components of NATED courses and general Business Management.

7. Goodwood Campus

Location: Dirkie Uys Street, Goodwood.
Focus: Early Childhood Development (Educare).
Specialty: A dedicated campus for training pre-school teachers.

2. 2026 Fee Structure (Estimates)

Northlink is a public college, funded by the state. While NSFAS covers most students, here are the estimated cash fees for 2026.

Important: You typically need to pay a 20% Deposit upon registration if you are not NSFAS funded.

Engineering Studies (NATED N1 – N6)

Duration: Trimester (3 months).
Cost: Approx. R2,400 – R2,800 per trimester.
Total N1-N6: Approx. R16,000 for the full theory qualification.
Hidden Cost: Engineering students often have to buy their own Tools and PPE (approx. R2,000).

Business Studies (NATED N4 – N6)

Duration: Semester (6 months).
Cost: Approx. R3,500 – R4,200 per semester.
Total Diploma: Approx. R22,000 (18 months theory).

NCV Programmes (Level 2 – 4)

Duration: 1 Year.
Cost: Approx. R12,000 – R22,000 per year.
- Engineering NCV: Higher cost (~R22k) due to workshop materials.
- Safety in Society: Lower cost (~R12k).
- Hospitality: Higher cost (~R20k) due to food ingredients.

Occupational / Skills Courses

Hairdressing: Expensive (approx. R25,000+) due to kits.
Performing Arts: Higher fees due to theatre production costs.

3. Admission Requirements 2026

A. National Certificate Vocational (NCV)

For: Grade 9, 10, or 11 school leavers.
Entry: Pass Grade 9.
Note: Northlink’s NCV Engineering and IT courses are very popular. Grade 9s need strong Math marks to get in.

B. Report 191 (NATED) – Post Matric

For: Grade 12 graduates.
Business N4: National Senior Certificate (NSC).
Engineering N4: NSC with Mathematics and Physical Science.
- The “Math Lit” Rule: If you have Math Literacy, you cannot enter N4. You must apply for N2 or N3 to bridge the gap.
- Technical Matric: Students with a Technical Matric (N3) are preferred for Wingfield.

4. How to Apply Online (The Coltech System)

Northlink does not accept manual (paper) applications. You must use the online portal.

Step 1: The Compulsory Placement Test

Visit https://www.northlink.co.za.
Before applying, you must complete the “Placement Assessment” (Pre-Entry Test).
It tests your Numeracy and English Literacy.
Why? It ensures you don’t sign up for N4 Financial Management if you can’t do basic accounting.
Save the result.

Step 2: Create a Profile

Click “Apply Now”.
Select “New Applicant”.
Enter ID and create a PIN.

Step 3: Submit Application

Select Year: 2026.
Select Campus: (Refer to the list above! Do not pick Wingfield for Cooking).
Select Course: e.g., “National Diploma: Engineering Studies (Mechanical) N4”.

Step 4: Upload Documents

ID Copy (Certified).
Latest Results (Certified).
Proof of Address.

Step 5: The “Provisional” Status

You will receive an SMS saying “Awaiting Selection.”
This means the Programme Manager is looking at your marks.
Check your status daily. If it changes to “Provisionally Accepted,” you usually have 48 hours to accept.

5. 2026 Registration Dates

According to the official DHET Calendar for 2026, here are the critical dates for Northlink:

Trimester 1 (Engineering):
- Registration Opens: 06 January 2026.
- Classes Start: 20 January 2026.
Semester 1 (Business):
- Registration Opens: 06 January 2026.
- Classes Start: 15 January 2026.
NCV (Year Courses):
- Registration: 06 January – 15 January 2026.

Warning: Northlink classes fill up instantly. If you wait until 15 January to register, you will likely find the gates closed. Go online on 06 January.

6. Residence and Accommodation

Unlike many city colleges, Northlink does have official student residences.

Tygerberg Residence: A large hostel on the Tygerberg campus. Very popular for Hospitality and Arts students.
Belhar Residence: Houses students from the Belhar and Bellville campuses.
Wingfield: Has limited accommodation nearby.

Cost: Approx. R28,000 – R35,000 per year (excluding meals).

How to apply: You must tick the “Accommodation Required” box on your online application. It is first-come, first-served.

FAQ: Northlink College

Q: Is Northlink better than CPUT?

A: They are different. CPUT is a University of Technology offering Degrees. Northlink is a TVET College offering Trades and Diplomas.9 If you want to be an Artisan (hands-on), Northlink is often better. If you want to be a Technologist (management/design), CPUT is better.

Q: Do they offer part-time classes?

A: Yes. The Bellville and Tygerberg campuses have strong “Post-Work” programs (17:00 – 20:00) for NATED Business and Engineering courses.

Q: Can I apply if I failed Matric?

A: Yes. Apply for the NCV Level 2 programme. It gives you a second chance to get a qualification equivalent to Matric (Level 4).

Conclusion: The Northern Powerhouse

Northlink is a serious institution. It has the equipment, the staff, and the industry connections to get you employed.

Whether you want to be a chef in a 5-star hotel (Tygerberg) or a diesel mechanic on a mine (Wingfield), Northlink is the gold standard in the Western Cape.

Action: The portal opens on 06 January 2026. Have your documents scanned and your placement test done before Christmas.

Disclaimer: Course offerings and fees are subject to change. Always verify with the official Northlink College Prospectus 2026.