Department warns of fake tertiary institutions
New students have been warned about bogus colleges during this time of the year when everyone is seeking admission.
As the 2026 academic year kicks off, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has issued a “red alert” for prospective students to be vigilant.
The spokesperson for DHET,Matshepo Dibetso, said that while the excitement of starting a new chapter is high, so is the activity of fly-by-night colleges and unregistered institutions that trade your tuition fees for worthless pieces of paper. She added that most students who fall prey come from rural areas.
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“Studying at an illegal college doesn’t just waste your money; it wastes your time. These qualifications are not recognised by employers or legitimate universities. For a private college to be legal in SA, it must satisfy three distinct requirements,” she explained.
Institutions must be quality-assured by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations or the relevant SETA.
Degrees and diplomas must be accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
Matric rewrites must be accredited by Umalusi.
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Every legitimate qualification must be registered on the National Qualifications Framework by the South African Qualifications Authority and assigned a unique ID number.
Ramnarain added that every private provider must be registered with the DHET. This is their legal permission to operate.
If you realise you’ve enrolled in an illegal college, stop all payments immediately. Collect all your receipts, brochures and contracts, and report the institution to the SAPS and the DHET.
While the department can’t always get your money back, they can shut the institution down.
*This article has been amended after publication. Information provided by department officials at the time was incorrect. Lowvelder previously named Seema Ramnarain as the spokesperson for the Department of Higher Education and Training, but has since been informed that she no longer serves in this position. Lowvelder apologises for any confusion caused.
