Port Elizabeth TVET College (also called PE College) is a public technical and vocational college in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. For the 2027 academic year, the NC(V) Level 2 intake opened on 1 September 2026 and closed on 30 September 2026. Applicants apply online through the college website, upload their documents, write the compulsory PACE placement test and then submit a separate NSFAS application if they need funding.
This guide covers the campuses, the programmes offered, entry requirements, application dates, the step-by-step application process, NSFAS and other funding, and what to do if the main window has already closed.
About Port Elizabeth TVET College
The college is one of the public TVET colleges in the Eastern Cape that offer career-focused education to learners who have completed Grade 9 or Grade 12. Its programmes combine classroom theory with practical training, so graduates are prepared for work in trades, services, business and technology. Qualifications are registered under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the quality councils that oversee vocational education.
The college serves Gqeberha and the surrounding Nelson Mandela Bay area, which has a strong motor, manufacturing, logistics and tourism economy. Programmes are therefore built around fields in which local employers recruit.
Campuses of Port Elizabeth TVET College
The college operates from several sites in Gqeberha. The main campuses and the sites commonly listed for applicants are:
- Russell Road Campus
- Dower Campus
- Iqhayiya Campus
- Kemsley Park Campus
- Victoria Site
Not every programme is offered at every campus. Applicants must choose the correct campus for the programme they want, and should confirm the location with the college before submitting. Central administration can be reached on 041 509 6000 or at pecom@pec.edu.za.
NC(V) Level 2 Programmes for 2027
The National Certificate (Vocational), or NC(V), is a three-year qualification that runs from Level 2 to Level 4. It is aimed at learners who have passed Grade 9 and have not completed Grade 12. For the 2027 intake, the advertised Level 2 programmes are spread across three campuses.
| Campus | NC(V) Level 2 programmes |
|---|---|
| Russell Road | Tourism; Hospitality; Information Technology and Computer Science |
| Dower | Transport and Logistics; Safety in Society |
| Iqhayiya | Civil Engineering and Building Construction; Electrical Infrastructure Construction; Engineering and Related Design; Mechatronics |
Programme availability can change from year to year, so the college’s current prospectus is the final reference.
What each field covers
- Tourism and Hospitality: travel services, accommodation, food and beverage operations, and customer service for the hotel and tourism sector.
- Information Technology and Computer Science: computer hardware, software, networks, programming basics and technical support.
- Transport and Logistics: the movement, storage and handling of goods, supply chains and transport operations.
- Safety in Society: safety, security and community-protection subjects that lead toward careers in policing, security and related services.
- Civil Engineering and Building Construction: building methods, materials, drawing and site practice.
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction: wiring, installation, electrical systems and safety.
- Engineering and Related Design: engineering drawing, fabrication and workshop skills.
- Mechatronics: a combination of mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and automation.
NATED (Report 191) and Other Programmes
Like other public TVET colleges, Port Elizabeth TVET College also provides NATED (Report 191) engineering and business studies at N1 to N6 level, as well as occupational and skills programmes. NATED programmes generally require a Grade 12 certificate or an N3 pass, depending on the level, and they follow a trimester or semester structure. Learners who finish N6 and complete the required work experience can apply for the National N Diploma.
The intake dates and available N-level courses differ from the NC(V) timetable, so contact the college or check the campus notice for the current NATED offering rather than assuming it matches the NC(V) list above.
Entry Requirements
| Programme type | Typical minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| NC(V) Level 2 | Grade 9 passed; Grade 12 not yet completed |
| Engineering NC(V) programmes | Grade 9 passed, with Mathematics and Science |
| NATED N1 to N3 | Grade 10, 11 or 12 depending on the stream |
| NATED N4 to N6 | Grade 12 or the preceding N-level pass |
TVET colleges do not use a university-style admission point score. Placement depends on the qualification level, the subjects passed and the result of the placement assessment. The NC(V) intake is meant for learners without a Matric certificate, so a learner who has already completed Grade 12 generally applies through the NATED route instead.
Application Dates for 2026/2027
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 September 2026 |
| Online and on-site support period | 7 to 18 September 2026 |
| Applications close | 30 September 2026 |
These dates apply to the 2027 NC(V) Level 2 intake. They have now passed. Applicants who missed the window should contact the college directly to ask whether late applications, a waiting list or a second intake is available, and should watch for NATED and occupational programme notices, which follow different calendars.
How to Apply Online
- Go to the college website, pecollege.edu.za, and select the Apply option.
- Enter your personal details and your academic history.
- Choose the campus and the programme you want to study.
- Upload clear copies of the required documents.
- Complete the compulsory PACE placement test.
- Save your PACE results and upload them to the portal.
- Review everything, submit the application and keep the application number and copies of every document.
The college also runs a support window in September, during which applicants can get help online or at the campuses. Walk-in help is useful for learners without a computer or a stable data connection.
Documents Required
- A certified copy of your South African ID (or birth certificate)
- A copy of your parent or guardian’s ID
- Your latest school results, such as the Grade 9 report or Grade 12 results
- Proof of residential address
- Your PACE placement test results
Blurry or incomplete uploads are a common reason for delays, so scan each document clearly and check the file before attaching it.
Read also: Elangeni TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply [ KZN Campuses ] 2026/2027
NSFAS Funding
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) supports eligible students at public TVET colleges. Funding is not automatic with a college application. A student must apply to the college first and then submit a separate NSFAS application, usually through the myNSFAS portal during the national NSFAS window.
NSFAS generally supports South African citizens whose combined household income falls within the published threshold, as well as learners who receive a SASSA grant. Where funding is approved, it typically covers tuition and may include allowances for learning materials, transport or accommodation, depending on the rules for that year. Students should check the current NSFAS eligibility criteria and dates, because these are updated for each cycle.
Other Funding Options
Port Elizabeth TVET College offers bursaries to students with financial need. In addition, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), government departments, municipalities and private employers sometimes offer bursaries or learnerships, each with its own application deadline and requirements. Applicants should ask the campus student support office for current opportunities.
After You Apply
Once the application is submitted, the college reviews the programme choice, the documents and the PACE results. Successful applicants are contacted through the details on the application, and are then asked to complete registration by a set date. Registration normally involves confirming personal details, presenting original documents, and settling or confirming the funding arrangement. Keep checking the email and phone number you supplied, and use the application number whenever you contact the college.
Read also: Northern Cape Rural TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027
Career Paths After Graduating
An NC(V) Level 4 certificate lets graduates enter the workplace, apply for apprenticeships and learnerships, or continue to further study. Engineering and construction graduates often move into artisan training and trade tests, while tourism, hospitality and IT graduates find entry-level roles in hotels, travel services, support desks and small businesses. Transport and logistics graduates work in warehousing, freight and distribution, which are active sectors around the Nelson Mandela Bay port and industrial areas. Some learners use their results to apply for university programmes, subject to the admission rules of the institution they choose.
Practical placements and workplace experience strengthen a CV, so students should ask their campus about work-integrated learning opportunities from the first year.
Read also: Nkangala TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for an engineering programme without Mathematics and Science.
- Skipping the PACE test or forgetting to upload the result.
- Assuming that a college application also counts as an NSFAS application.
- Uploading unclear or incomplete documents.
- Choosing a campus that does not offer the programme.
- Waiting until the last days of the window, when the portal is busiest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2027 application window still open?
The advertised NC(V) Level 2 window closed on 30 September 2026. Contact the college to confirm whether any places remain or whether another intake is planned.
Can I apply with a Matric certificate?
The NC(V) Level 2 intake is meant for learners who have not completed Grade 12. Matric holders usually look at NATED programmes or occupational courses instead.
Read also: Gert Sibande TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027
What is the PACE test?
PACE is the placement assessment that applicants must complete as part of the application. The result is uploaded to the portal.
Does the college application include NSFAS?
No. NSFAS is a separate application that must be submitted in addition to the college application.
Read also: Ehlanzeni TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027
How do I contact the college?
Call central administration on 041 509 6000 or send an email to pecom@pec.edu.za.
Dates, programmes and fees can change from one year to the next. Always confirm the current details with Port Elizabeth TVET College before you apply.
Read also: Eastcape Midlands TVET College Courses, Application Dates, NSFAS & How to Apply 2026/2027