Any worthwhile college will have accreditation, so it is definitely in your best interest to check your chosen institute.
Questions Students Should Ask the Institution or Program
- Are the college/ institution/ program accredited and if so, by whom?
- If it does not have accreditation, will I be able to work in my chosen profession in South Africa or any other country after I graduate?
- Does completion of the program allow me to sit for a required exam or get certified in my chosen field?
- How important is accreditation to the employers in my chosen field?
- Does the program’s accreditation make me eligible for student aid?
Investigate Them
Legislation with regard to Higher Education and Further Education in South Africa requires that all providers of education and training offering full qualifications must register with the Department of Education.
The provider of education and training has to offer unit standards and/or qualifications that fall within the primary focus area of the Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) body of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) or Professional Body.
SAQA does not register or accredit courses – this is the responsibility of an ETQA. There are now 30 accredited ETQAs and short course providers who did not submit their courses for recording at SAQA, should approach the relevant ETQA directly. The contact details of some ETQAs are available here. You can also e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Detailed information on FET College programmes, qualifications and contact details of colleges are available on the Department’s website.
Further information: Council On Higher Education – http://www.che.ac.za
Department of Higher education – www.dhet.gov.za
Other Methods of Checking Quality
Keep an eye on social media and websites like hellopeter.com for any negative publicity and complaints from other students. Visit the campus or registration offices in the case of a distance-learning provider.
Check the institute and your lecturers’ reputation within the profession. Speak to Human Resource managers and recruiting officers in your field to see how they recognise your college/programme. Compare everything to other education providers.