Mechanical Engineering (TVET) in South Africa 2026 | TVET College Programmes

Mechanical Engineering (TVET) Programmes at SA TVET Colleges 2026

36 programmes listed across 36 TVET colleges. Free application. NSFAS funded.

NCV vs NATED: NCV (National Certificate Vocational) requires a Grade 9 pass. NATED (N1-N6 / Report 191) requires a Grade 9 pass, with N4-N6 needing N3 or equivalent. APS scores shown are indicative — TVET colleges do not use matric APS for admission.

TVET College	Programme	Entry Level	Subject Requirements	Career Paths
Buffalo City TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
King Hintsa TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Port Elizabeth TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Flavius Mareka TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Goldfields TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Maluti TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Motheo TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Central Johannesburg TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Ekurhuleni West TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Tshwane North TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Tshwane South TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Elangeni TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Majuba TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Mnambithi TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Thekwini TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Umfolozi TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Umgungundlovu TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Capricorn TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Lephalale TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Mopani South East TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Vhembe TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Waterberg TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Ehlanzeni TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Gert Sibande TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Nkangala TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Northern Cape Urban TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Orbit TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Taletso TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Vuselela TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Boland TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Garden Route TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
Northlink TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
South Cape TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
West Coast TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician
South West Gauteng TVET College TVET College	Mechanical Engineering (N1-N6) N1-N6 Certificate · 18 months - 3 years	16	Math Lit OK (L3+) English L3+	Fitter, Turner

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to study Mechanical Engineering (TVET) at a TVET college?

For NCV (National Certificate Vocational) programmes you need a Grade 9 pass — no matric required. For NATED (Report 191) N1-N6 programmes, a Grade 9 pass is the minimum, though some colleges prefer Grade 10 or 11. This makes TVET colleges accessible to learners who have not yet completed matric and to those who want a practical, work-focused qualification after school.

Is a Mechanical Engineering (TVET) programme free in South Africa?

Application to all 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa is completely free. Tuition fees vary by college but NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) covers tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance for eligible students. To qualify for NSFAS: South African citizenship and household income under R350,000 per year. SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify. Apply at nsfas.org.za.

How long does the Mechanical Engineering (TVET) programme take at a TVET college?

Programme durations: 18 months - 3 years. NCV programmes run over 3 years (Levels 2, 3, and 4). NATED N1-N6 programmes take 18 months to 3 years depending on how you complete the practical (18 months in-college plus 18 months workplace experience required for a trade test). Once you pass the DHET trade test you become a certified artisan.

What jobs can I get with a Mechanical Engineering (TVET) TVET qualification?

Career paths from Mechanical Engineering (TVET) programmes include: Fitter and Turner, Mechanical Technician, Machine Operator, Fitter, Turner. Artisan trades are among the highest-demand occupations in South Africa. The construction, mining, manufacturing, and energy sectors have chronic shortages of qualified technical workers — meaning strong employment prospects and competitive salaries for qualified graduates.

Can I go to university after completing a TVET programme?

Yes. An NCV Level 4 with the right subjects is equivalent to matric and can be used to apply to university, though APS requirements still apply. Completing N6 and a trade test qualifies you as a certified artisan — you can then pursue a National Diploma or B-Tech at a University of Technology. Many TVET graduates also enter the workforce first and study further part-time.

Disclaimer: TVET programme offerings, entry requirements, and NSFAS eligibility may change annually. Always verify directly with the college before applying. Artisan trade test requirements are set by DHET and sector training authorities (SETAs).