Choosing which institution to study at in South Africa begins by verifying whether the institution is SAQA-accredited and its qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Being aware of an institution’s accreditation helps learners, employers, and international credential evaluators confirm that a qualification is legitimate and recognised.
In this article, we explain what SAQA is, the importance of SAQA accreditation, its key benefits, how to check the accreditation, the list of SAQA accredited institutions, and much more.
What Is SAQA & Why Accreditation Matters?
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) manages the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF is a system that shows which qualifications are official and at what level they are. SAQA does not approve every institution itself. Instead, it lists registered qualifications, recognises some professional bodies, and helps people verify qualifications.
Table of Contents
Understanding who does what helps you know where to check if a qualification is valid and trustworthy. Accreditation and registration protect students from unrecognised or low-quality providers and help employers trust the qualification. Always check the SAQA and DHET registers for accurate information.
Read more on What is Accreditation? A Guide to Its Importance and Impact.
List of SAQA Accredited Institutions in SA
SAQA registers qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Institutions are registered or quality-assured by bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
There are main groups of institutions where you will find SAQA-registered qualifications. Each group plays a different role in the post-school system and is recorded in the SAQA or DHET registers.
Find below their detailed information and list of accredited institutions:
SAQA Accredited Public Universities
Public universities are degree-granting institutions that appear on the DHET list of recognised universities. These institutions offer a broad range of bachelor’s, honours’, master’s, and doctoral qualifications that are normally registered on the NQF and verifiable via SAQA. If you plan to study for a degree, start here and use the DHET universities page and the SAQA qualification search to confirm specific programmes.
Examples of such universities include:
- The University of Cape Town
- The University of the Witwatersrand
- Stellenbosch University
- The University of Pretoria
- The University of Johannesburg
- The University of South Africa (UNISA).
SAQA Accredited Universities Of Technology
The Universities of Technology offer career-focused degrees and diplomas with strong applied content. Their programmes and respective NQF levels are listed on SAQA and on the institutions’ pages. Always verify individual qualifications before you enrol.
The following are some prominent examples:
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT).
SAQA Accredited TVET Colleges
TVET Colleges provide practical and job-focused education that leads to national certificates and NQF-level qualifications. There are about 50 public TVET colleges across South Africa, and DHET keeps an official list of all TVET colleges and their campuses.
TVET programmes are especially relevant for learners seeking practical trade skills and short technical qualifications that are registered on the NQF. Use the DHET TVET pages and the SAQA qualification search for confirmation.
Here are some of the top examples:
- Central Johannesburg TVET College
- College of Cape Town (TVET)
- Northern Cape Urban TVET College
- South Cape TVET College
- Buffalo City TVET College
- Western College for TVET
SAQA Accredited Private Higher Education Institutions and Private Colleges
Private educational institutions that are SAQA-accredited, such as Regenesys Education, offer degree, diploma, and certificate programmes. DHET publishes a register of private higher education institutions and a separate register of private colleges.
Both are official sources for checking whether a private provider is registered to offer specified qualifications. Popular private providers appear in these registers, but always check the specific programme entry on SAQA.
Find below the reputed & accredited private higher education institutions:
- Regenesys Education
- Rosebank College
- MANCOSA
- Regent Business School
- Milpark Education
Read more on How to Check NQF Accreditation of Qualifications?
Benefits of Choosing A SAQA Accredited Institution
Choosing an educational institution with SAQA-registered qualifications provides several clear benefits. First, your qualification will be verifiable by employers and government bodies. Second, loans, bursaries, and recognition for articulation or further study generally require registered qualifications. Third, SAQA registration makes international recognition and evaluation easier when you move or apply overseas.
Finally, registered qualifications are protected by national policy, which reduces the risk of studying for a credential that later turns out to be unrecognised. For these reasons, always prioritise SAQA and DHET registers when making study decisions.
Read more on SAQA NQF Levels – Credits, Qualifications and More.
How To Check If An Institution Is SAQA Accredited?
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) provides an online tool to check for registered qualifications and unit standards on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Use SAQA to check qualifications and DHET to check institutional registration. Follow the clear steps below to verify both the qualification and the provider before you apply or pay fees. Keep each piece of official proof if you need to show it later.
Here is the step-by-step process to check whether an institution is SAQA accredited:
- Use the SAQA “Search for a Registered Qualification” tool to find the exact qualification title and Qualification ID.
- Confirm the provider – the SAQA results show the registering provider and the accredited provider, where applicable.
- Cross-check the provider on the DHET registers. DHET lists public universities, TVET colleges, private higher education institutions and private colleges.
- For foreign qualifications or special professional bodies, use SAQA verification services and the “check status of foreign institutions” function. Keep proof of registration and the Qualification ID for later reference.
Read more on SAQA NQF Levels – Credits, Recognition, and Progression Explained.
SAQA Accredited Institutions For International Students
International students planning to study in South Africa need to verify two key points. The qualification should be registered on SAQA, and the institution must be approved by DHET or the correct authority. SAQA also offers evaluation and status check services to help international applicants confirm recognition.
Many South African public universities and registered private institutions accept international applicants. Still, verification of the specific programme is essential for visa, work or further study purposes. Always save the SAQA verification output when you submit documents abroad.
Read more on NQF Levels in South Africa for Private University Qualifications.
Explore Our Other Programmes
Conclusion
There is no single list of SAQA accredited institutions. Instead, SAQA and DHET keep official registers and search tools that you must use together. Start by checking the qualification on the SAQA website, then confirm the institution on the DHET registers to get clear and correct information.
If you are considering studying at Regenesys Education, visit our website to explore our registered degree, diploma and higher certificate programmes.
Contact us to speak with a career adviser for more information and expert guidance.
FAQs
What is SAQA?
SAQA stands for South African Qualifications Authority. It manages the National Qualifications Framework and records registered qualifications.
How do I verify a qualification?
Use SAQA’s “Search for a Registered Qualification” tool and the SAQA verifications service.
Are all universities listed with SAQA?
Public universities appear on DHET’s official universities list, and their qualifications are registered on SAQA.
Can private colleges be SAQA recognised?
Yes, private colleges and private higher education institutions must appear on the DHET registers and have qualifications registered on SAQA.
How can international students check recognition?
Use SAQA’s verification services and the “check status of foreign institutions” pages to confirm recognition and evaluation requirements.
