Selecting a suitably Registered Training College

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO INFORMATION

Enrol at private higher education institutions that operate within the law

The government has passed laws to make it compulsory for private higher education institutions to register with the Department of Education before they open their doors to students.

Why registration of private higher education institutions?

• The Dept of Education registers these institutions to ensure that:
• They operate within the law
• They have the necessary resources, capacity and expertise to offer acceptable standards of higher education
• Students are protected from fraudulent operators in higher education
• The programmes that the institutions offer are registered and the qualifications that you attain are aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

A Register of Private Higher Education Institutions

• The Department of Education publishes information about registered private higher education institutions in the Register of Private Higher Education Institutions. This Register shows which institutions are registered, which are provisionally registered and which have had their registration cancelled.

Registered Programmes

• Next to the name of each registered or provisionally registered institution is a list of the programmes for which the institution is registered and the sites of delivery at which the programmes are offered.

Inform Yourself - and / or get a copy of the Register

• To make enquiries on the registration status of private higher education institutions or to obtain a copy of the Register of Private Higher Education Institutions
• Tel: 012 312 5320//5253/5446 or Fax: 012 324 6343
• Email the Department at registrarphei@doe.govza
• TVisit the Department at: Sol Plaatje House, 123 Schoernan Street, Pretoria, 0001, Room 518.
• Visit the Department’s website, www.education.gov.za and search under Branches - Higher Education - Private Higher Education Related Documents - Register of Private Higher Education Institutions to access the Register.

Get the register of Private Higher Education Institutions

Inform yourself on the registration status of private institutions that offer higher education

The Register shows:

• The names of private institutions that are registered by the Department of Education to offer higher education programmes. These programmes are at the same level as those offered by universities and universities of technology.
• The programmes and approved sites of delivery or places of instruction for each institution
• Which institutions are registered for a short period of time
• Which institutions have had their registration cancelled

Take Note

• Registration of qualifications on the NQF by SAQA and accreditation by the CHE do not allow a private institution to offer higher education programmes
• An institution is only allowed to offer higher education when is registered by the Department of Education
• If an institution is unregistered, yet gives you an impression that offers higher education, you have a right to a refund
• If a registered institution enrolls you on a programme that is not registered with the Department, you have a right to a refund
• If an institution’s registration is cancelled, you have a right to
• Obtain a refund
• Get a transcript of your academic record
• Be transferred to a comparable public or registered private higher education institution to complete your studies

• Before or when enrolling at a registered private higher education institution you have the right to get a prospectus, calendar or brochure that gives the following information, among other things
• Registration status of the institution
• Registered programmes
• Registered sites of delivery
• The names of its managers
• Academic credit accumulation, progression and qualifications
• Fees and refund procedures in case of cancellation or withdrawal of registration

• To make enquiries about the registration status of private higher education institutions, see the contact details above

Information booklet

An information booklet on the registration and regulation of private higher education institutions is available at the Department of Education. Make sure you get your copy!

Know Your Rights in Higher Private Education

• Read the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No, 101 of 1997), and the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions 2002, in order to know your rights with respect to the provision of private higher education
• Visit the Department of Education’s website regularly and view the Register of Private Higher Education Institutions. The Register shows
• Which institutions are registered and provisionally registered, and which have had their registration cancelled
• The registered programmes and sites of delivery or places of instruction for each registered institution

• If an institution is unregistered yet gives you the impression that what it offers is higher education, you have a right to a refund
• If a registered institution enrols you in a programme that is not registered with the department you have a right to a refund
• Before or when enrolling at a registered private higher education institution, you have the right to get prospectus, calendar or brochure that gives you the following information:
• The registration status of the institution
• Its registered programmes and registered sites of delivery
• The names of its managers
• The names of the teaching staff and their qualifications
• The admission requirements and procedures; the rules of assessment, academic credit accumulation, progression and qualification
• The fees and charges for enrolling in programmes, including refund(s) in case of cancellation or withdrawal of registration; and details about its student support services

• If an institution’s registration is cancelled, you have the right to
• Obtain a refund
• Get transcripts of your academic record and certificates
• Be transferred to a comparable public or registered private higher educationinstitution to complete your studies

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