When considering your future career, it is also important to decide which type of Higher Education Institution (HEI) you would like to attend. You have probably heard of a “university” or a “college,” but do you know what the differences between these are?
A university is an HEI that offers complex courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. To be admitted, you typically need to have passed grade 12 (matric) with a “bachelor’s pass” or “diploma pass,” though specific requirements may vary between institutions.
A college, on the other hand, is an HEI that offers less complex courses and only provides undergraduate programs. Admission requirements can include passing grade 12 (matric) with a “bachelor’s pass,” “diploma pass,” or “higher certificate pass.” In some cases, passing grade 9 is sufficient. Again, requirements may vary between institutions.
Additionally, HEIs can be categorized as either public or private institutions. Public institutions are affiliated with the government and allow students to use governmental bursaries such as NSFAS to fund their studies. Private institutions are not governed by the government, and therefore, governmental bursaries like NSFAS cannot be used to fund studies at these institutions.
Some private colleges such as “Southern Labs Institute of Technology (SLABS)”, offer "industry-ready courses". As an alumnus of SLABS, I completed one of their online 12-week courses, which enabled me to create this application. There are no tuition fees; only a R500 registration fee is required.