Private Colleges in South Africa List: The Ultimate Guide to Accredited Institutions

Key Takeaways: The Private Alternative

• The Name Game: In South Africa, private institutions are legally called “Private Higher Education Institutions” (PHEIs). They offer the exact same Degrees and Diplomas as public universities (like UJ or Wits), but they are not government-subsidized.
• The “NSFAS” Reality: NSFAS does NOT fund private colleges (like Rosebank or Damelin). You must pay via cash, bank loan, or a study loan from Fundi.
• The “Big Benefit”: Smaller classes. While a public university lecture hall has 500 students, a private college class often has 25. This means more personal attention.
• Accreditation is King: Before you pay, you must check if the college is registered with the DHET and SAQA. If it isn’t, your degree is fake.
• Specialization: Private colleges are often better equipped for niche fields like Game Design, Animation, Coding, and Culinary Arts.

Public universities in South Africa are overcrowded and often plagued by strikes. As a result, many parents and students are turning to the private sector.

But with hundreds of “colleges” popping up in shopping centers, how do you know which ones are real?

Here is the definitive, categorized list of South Africa’s most reputable private colleges.

1. The “Big Generalists” (Business, IT & Humanities)

These are the giants. They offer a wide range of degrees, from Law to IT, similar to a traditional university.

1. Eduvos (Formerly CTI / MGI)

• Focus: One of the largest private universities in SA. Strong in IT, Commerce, and Biomedicine.
• Campuses: 12 campuses nationwide (Midrand, Pretoria, Tyger Valley, Durban, etc.).
• Vibe: Very much like a traditional university campus life.

2. The IIE Rosebank College

• Focus: Affordable quality. They are famous for their “Graduate Empowerment Programme” which actively helps students find jobs.
• Offerings: Degrees, Diplomas, and Higher Certificates in Business, IT, and Education.
• Mode: Strong “Distance/Online” options as well as full-time campuses.

3. The IIE Varsity College

• Focus: The premium option. Known for its social life, sports clubs, and academic support.
• Unique Feature: They offer tuition support for UNISA degrees (you study a UNISA law degree but attend classes at Varsity College).
• Campuses: Sandton, Cape Town, Durban North, Pretoria.

4. Boston City Campus

• Focus: Accessibility. They have over 40 “Support Centres” nationwide.
• Model: They use a unique blend of video-based learning and on-site support.
• Best For: Students who need flexible entry requirements and media studies (Radio/DJ).

2. The Creative & Design Specialists

If you want to be a Graphic Designer, Animator, or Brand Manager, public universities often lack the latest software and studios. These colleges specialize in the arts.

1. The IIE Vega School

• Focus: Brand Management, Design, and Marketing.
• Reputation: The industry leader for “Brand” degrees. If you want to work in advertising, go here.
• Campuses: Bordeaux (JHB), Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria.

2. Open Window Institute

• Location: Centurion (Gauteng).
• Focus: Visual Arts. Famous for Animation, Game Design, and Film.
• Vibe: Extremely creative, relaxed, and tech-forward.

3. Red & Yellow Creative School of Business

• Location: Cape Town (and Online).
• Focus: The bridge between “Business” and “Creativity.” Famous for Digital Marketing.
• Reputation: Their alumni run many of SA’s top ad agencies.

4. AFDA

• Focus: The School for the Creative Economy.
• Best For: Film, Television, Performance (Acting), and Radio.
• Alumni: Many South African soapie stars and directors studied here.

3. The Tech & Trade Specialists

These institutions focus on hard skills—coding, engineering, and trades.

1. Sol-Tech

• Location: Pretoria.
• Focus: Vocational Training (Ambagte).
• Language: Afrikaans medium.
• Best For: Electricians, Millwrights, Fitters & Turners. They have a massive placement network for apprenticeships.

2. WeThinkCode_

• Locations: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban.
• Focus: Software Engineering.
• Model: No teachers, no classes. Peer-to-peer learning. Tuition is often “free” (sponsored by corporates) if you pass the entrance tests and work back the money.

3. Belgium Campus iTversity

• Location: Pretoria, Kempton Park, Gqeberha.
• Focus: Pure IT. Software Engineering and Aeronautics.
• Reputation: Extremely high employment rate for graduates because of their rigorous technical standards.

4. AIE (Academic Institute of Excellence)

• Focus: Engineering, Draughting, and Architecture.
• Best For: Students who want practical technical skills in the built environment.

4. The “Mega-Distance” Groups

These colleges focus on working adults or students who study from home.

1. STADIO

• The Giant: Formed by the merger of Southern Business School, Embury, Lisof, and others.
• Focus: Everything. They have specialist schools for Policing, Fashion, Education (Teaching), and Law.
• Pros: Massive scale means better online systems and support.

2. MANCOSA

• Focus: Business Administration.
• Best For: Working professionals doing their MBA or BCom while working. They are the kings of distance business education.

3. REGENT Business School

• Focus: Management and Finance. Similar to MANCOSA but with a strong focus on the 4th Industrial Revolution (Tech in Business).

5. Nursing & Healthcare (Private)

You don’t have to go to a government nursing college. Private hospital groups run their own world-class academies.

• Netcare Education: (Gauteng & KZN). Offers the R171 Diploma in Nursing.
• Life College of Learning: Associated with Life Healthcare hospitals.
• Mediclinic Learning Centres: Associated with Mediclinic.

6. The “Accreditation” Checklist (Don’t Get Scammed)

There are many “Bogus Colleges” in South Africa. They rent a room above a KFC, print fake certificates, and disappear with your money.

The Triple Check Rule:

Before you pay a deposit, check these three things:

1. DHET Registration:
   • They must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.
   • Ask for their “DHET Registration Number”.
   • Check: Download the “Register of Private Higher Education Institutions” from the DHET website.
2. SAQA ID:
   • Every single course (Degree or Diploma) must have a SAQA ID.
   • Check: Go to allqs.saqa.org.za and search for the course name. If it doesn’t appear, it’s not a real qualification.
3. Umalusi / CHE:
   • If it’s a Matric re-write college, it must be accredited by Umalusi.
   • If it’s a Degree/Diploma college, it must be accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

7. The Funding Question: How to Pay?

This is the biggest barrier.

• NSFAS: Will NOT pay for any college on this list.
• Bursaries: Some colleges (like Pearson/Eduvos/Boston) offer their own partial bursaries for top achievers.
• Student Loans: All major banks (Standard Bank, Capitec, FNB) offer student loans for these colleges because they are accredited.
• Fundi: A specialized education finance provider that works with almost all private colleges.

Summary: Which One is For You?

• For the “University Experience”: Go to Eduvos or Varsity College.
• For the “Job Ready” Skills: Go to Rosebank College or Sol-Tech.
• For the “Creatives”: Go to Vega or Open Window.
• For the “Working Adult”: Go to MANCOSA or STADIO.

Action Plan:

1. Visit the Open Day: Private colleges have excellent campuses. Go see them.
2. Ask about “Software”: If studying IT or Design, ask if the college provides the laptop and software license (Vega often does).
3. Secure Funding First: Do not register until your bank loan is approved. Private colleges will block your access to exams immediately if you miss a payment.

Read Article: List of TVET Colleges in South Africa with NSFAS funding

Disclaimer: Institutions merge and change names (e.g., CTI became Eduvos). Always verify the current legal name on the DHET register.