Can You Transfer from a Private College to a Public TVET College

Many students begin their academic journeys at private colleges in South Africa for various reasons—flexibility, smaller class sizes, or more career-focused programs. But what happens if your goals change and you want to transfer to a public TVET college? Is it possible? Will your credits count? How does the process work?

The short answer is: Yes, you can transfer, but it's not always a straightforward process. It depends on several important factors including the type of qualification you have, whether your college is registered, and whether your new institution recognises your prior learning.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about transferring from a private college to a public TVET college in South Africa.

Key Terms You Should Understand

Before diving into the details, let’s clarify a few terms that are often misunderstood:

Credit Transfer: This refers to the recognition of subjects or modules you’ve already passed at one institution, so you don’t have to repeat them at another.
Articulation: The process that allows a student to move from one qualification level to another (e.g., from a Higher Certificate to a Diploma).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): A process where your previous learning—whether formal or informal—is evaluated for academic credit.

Types of Institutions in South Africa

To understand the transfer process, it’s important to know the three main types of post-school institutions in South Africa:

Private Colleges
These may offer certificates, diplomas, or short courses. Some are accredited by UMALUSI, QCTO, or the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
Public TVET Colleges
These focus on vocational and occupational education. They offer NATED (N1–N6) and NC(V) programmes.

Step 1: Is Your Private College Registered?

Before a university or TVET college can consider your application for credit transfer or admission, your private college must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and your qualification must be accredited.

How to Check:

Visit the DHET website at www.dhet.gov.za
Look for the latest list of registered private colleges
Make sure your college and the specific qualification are listed

📌 Note: If your college is not registered or your course is not accredited, public institutions will likely reject your transfer request.

Step 2: Does the Qualification Align with NQF Levels?

In South Africa, all qualifications are ranked on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) from Level 1 to 10.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

NQF Level 4 – Matric / NSC
NQF Level 5 – Higher Certificate
NQF Level 6 – Diploma
NQF Level 7 – Bachelor's Degree

If your private college qualification is registered on the same NQF level as the one you're trying to transfer into, there's a higher chance that some of your credits will be recognised.

Step 3: Contact the Receiving Institution

You must apply directly to the TVET college where you want to transfer. Here’s what they typically require:

Documents You’ll Need:

Your previous academic transcript or results
Course outlines or syllabi (for credit evaluation)
Proof of NQF level (can be found on www.saqa.org.za)
A motivation letter explaining why you wish to transfer
Certified copies of your ID and qualifications

Every institution has its own rules and faculty boards that determine whether your previous study will count towards their programs. There is no guarantee of full credit transfer.

Can You Transfer to a Public TVET College?

Yes. In some cases, TVET colleges accept students from private institutions, especially for:

NATED programs (N1–N6) if you've done part of it at a private FET college.
Students who’ve done similar NC(V) or occupational qualifications at a private training provider.

However, it depends on whether the curriculum content matches and whether the private provider used the same DHET-approved syllabi.

Common Challenges to Expect

Partial Credit Recognition: Don’t expect all your modules to count. You may only get credit for a few subjects.
Additional Assessments: You might need to take a placement test or bridge a knowledge gap.
Limited Space: Universities often give preference to first-time applicants rather than transfer students.
No Articulation Agreements: Many private colleges don’t have formal transfer agreements with public universities or colleges.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

If your private qualification isn’t directly accepted, you can apply for admission through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This process evaluates your knowledge, work experience, and learning outcomes.

For example, if you've completed a private diploma but want to enter university, RPL may allow you to bypass the usual entry requirements, depending on your prior learning.

RPL applications are detailed and time-consuming but can be very helpful in non-traditional transfer situations.

What If You Can’t Transfer?

If your attempt to transfer fails, consider these alternatives:

Finish your current qualification and apply for postgraduate options (e.g., Advanced Certificate or Degree).
Start a new qualification at a public institution from scratch.
Bridge or upgrade your qualification through accredited short courses or distance learning providers like UNISA.

Final Thoughts

Transferring from a private college to a public university or TVET college is possible, but it’s not always guaranteed. The process requires proper planning, verification of accreditation, and a good academic record. If your private college is accredited and your qualification is recognised by SAQA and DHET, your chances of a successful transfer are much higher.

Make sure you: