Mthashana TVET College is a public technical and vocational college in northern KwaZulu-Natal, with campuses in and around Vryheid, Nongoma, Nquthu, Ulundi and Babanango. It offers NCV (National Certificate Vocational) programmes at Levels 2 to 4, NATED (Report 191) programmes from N1 to N6, and occupational and skills programmes. Applications are made online through the college’s application portal, and NSFAS funding is available to qualifying students.
This guide covers the campuses, programme types, entry requirements, application dates, required documents, NSFAS funding and the application steps for the 2026/2027 period. Dates and campus offerings change from year to year, so confirm the final details with the college before you apply.
About Mthashana TVET College
The college serves a largely rural region of KwaZulu-Natal, including the Zululand and Umzinyathi areas. Its head office is in Vryheid, and its admissions office is reached on (034) 980 1010. The college is a state institution under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which means its NCV and NATED qualifications are nationally recognised and registered, and tuition is subsidised by government.
Students normally choose a programme according to the field they want to work in: engineering, business, public management, hospitality, tourism, agriculture or office administration. Each campus specialises in a limited number of fields, so the campus you choose depends on the programme you want.
Mthashana TVET College Campuses
The college operates several campuses and skills centres. The list below shows the main sites and their usual fields of study, as published by third-party guides. Campus offerings can change, so check the current prospectus.
| Campus | Location | Main fields |
|---|---|---|
| Vryheid Engineering Campus | 9 Landdrost Street, Vryheid | Engineering studies |
| Vryheid Business Campus | 92 Hlobane Street, Vryheid | Business and management |
| Kwa-Gqikazi Campus | Nongoma Main Road, Nongoma | Business, public management, hospitality |
| Nongoma Campus | Nongoma Main Road, Nongoma | Civil engineering and building construction |
| Nquthu Campus | Mangosuthu Drive, Nquthu | Engineering, public management |
| Emandleni Campus | Vulcam Farm, Ulundi | Agricultural studies |
| Maputa Campus | Thandizwe area | Agriculture |
| Babanango Skills Centre | Justice Street, Babanango | Hospitality and skills programmes |
Some sources list a slightly different number of sites, because skills centres and youth training centres are sometimes counted separately. Contact the campus of your choice to confirm that it offers the programme you want.
Courses Offered at Mthashana TVET College
The college offers three broad types of programme. Each type has its own entry requirements and duration.
NCV Programmes (Levels 2 to 4)
The NCV is a full-time, three-year qualification that combines theory with practical training. Students complete Level 2, then Level 3, then Level 4, and the levels must be done in sequence. Programmes commonly listed for the college include:
- Office Administration
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Primary Agriculture
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Engineering and Related Design
NATED Programmes (N1 to N6)
NATED, also called Report 191, runs in trimesters or semesters and covers N1 to N6. A student who completes N4 to N6 and the required work experience earns a National N Diploma. Fields include:
- Business Management
- Financial Management
- Public Management
- Computer Practice
- Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering
DHET is phasing out the NATED Report 191 programmes in favour of new occupational qualifications. Final enrolments are being accepted until 2027, and the final deadline to complete a National N Diploma is 30 June 2029. Students who plan to enrol in NATED should confirm with the college how the phase-out affects their chosen programme.
Occupational and Skills Programmes
The college also runs short skills programmes and apprenticeship or learnership-style training, usually advertised separately with their own closing dates. These programmes often target unemployed youth and may include a monthly stipend. They are advertised on the college’s notices and social media pages, and they have their own application windows.
Admission Requirements
TVET colleges do not use a university-style APS score. Entry depends on your highest completed grade and, for some engineering and business streams, subject results.
| Programme | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| NCV Level 2 | Grade 9 or equivalent (Grade 12 learners also qualify) |
| NATED N1 to N3 (engineering) | Grade 9 to 12, with Mathematics and Science passes for some courses |
| NATED N4 to N6 | Grade 12 or the relevant N3 certificate |
| Skills programmes | Set per programme; check the advert |
Applicants also complete a placement screening test through the college’s online admissions section. The result helps the college recommend suitable courses, though you still choose the programme you apply for.
Mthashana TVET College Application Dates 2026/2027
The 2027 academic year admissions cycle for public TVET colleges ran with an application window that was reported as open until the end of September 2026. The college’s 2026 NCV and NATED window ran from 1 to 30 September 2025, which shows the usual pattern: applications open in September and close at the end of that month. Late applications are sometimes accepted when space remains, and colleges often announce extended or second-round windows, particularly for trimester NATED intakes.
If you missed the main window, contact the admissions office on (034) 980 1010 or the campus of your choice and ask whether late applications are still open. Do not rely on unofficial social media posts for dates. Confirm any deadline with the college directly.
How to Apply Online
The college uses an online application portal. Applications are reported to be free of charge, so do not pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
- Complete the placement screening test in the online admissions or placement section of the college’s website.
- Open the online application portal and register an account using your South African ID number.
- Choose your campus and programme, and enter your education history.
- Upload your certified documents as PDF or clear image files.
- Submit the application and keep the confirmation email.
- Log in to your student profile later to track the status of the application.
The college’s websites reported by third-party guides are mthashanacollege.co.za and the portal at mthashana.coltech.co.za. Check that you are on the college’s genuine pages before entering your personal details.
Documents Required
- Certified copy of your South African ID (or passport for foreign applicants)
- Latest school results or certificate (Grade 9, Grade 11 or Grade 12, or N-level results)
- Proof of residential address
- Copy of a parent or guardian’s ID, or next of kin’s ID
- Guardian consent if you are under 18
- For NSFAS applicants: proof of household income, such as payslips, an SASSA letter or an affidavit where there is no income
Certified copies are usually valid when stamped within the past three months. Scan documents clearly so that every detail is readable.
NSFAS Funding at Mthashana TVET College
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds eligible students at public TVET colleges. Funding usually covers tuition and may include allowances for learning materials, transport or accommodation, depending on the rules of the year. Students apply to NSFAS separately from the college application at myNSFAS.
Basic eligibility rules include:
- South African citizenship
- A combined household income that does not exceed the NSFAS threshold, commonly R350,000 a year for the most recent cycle
- Admission to, or an application at, a public TVET college
- Applicants who receive a SASSA grant are generally accepted on the income test
NSFAS has stated that its budget is limited and that the volume of applications affects how funding is allocated, so it urges eligible students not to wait for the deadline. Apply to NSFAS as early as possible and check the official NSFAS website for the 2027 opening and closing dates. A funding approval does not replace the college application, and the reverse also applies, so complete both.
After You Apply
After submission, the college screens applications, checks documents and offers places according to space and requirements. Successful applicants receive an acceptance message by email or SMS. Registration follows in January, and students then pay any amounts not covered by funding. Bring original documents to registration so that the college can verify the certified copies.
If you do not hear back, log in to your portal profile, then contact the campus admissions office. Keep your application reference number for any follow-up.
Common Application Mistakes
- Applying to the wrong campus for the chosen programme
- Uploading blurred or uncertified documents
- Entering a wrong ID number, email address or phone number
- Skipping the placement screening test
- Missing the NSFAS application because the college application is complete
- Paying an unofficial agent or “fast-track” fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mthashana TVET College charge an application fee?
Guides report that applications are free. Confirm this with the college and never pay an agent.
Can I apply with a Grade 9 certificate?
Yes. Grade 9 or equivalent is the usual minimum for NCV Level 2. NATED N4 to N6 programmes need Grade 12 or the relevant N3 certificate.
Is there an APS score for entry?
No. TVET colleges use grade and subject requirements instead of the APS score used by universities.
Can NSFAS pay for my studies here?
Yes, if you meet the NSFAS criteria and are admitted to a funded programme. Apply to NSFAS separately.
Who do I contact for help?
Call the admissions office on (034) 980 1010 or contact the campus of your choice.