Real estate courses in South Africa: free, online and requirements

Real estate courses in South Africa: free, online and requirements

The returns people get from investing in traditional ventures tend to fluctuate. People who invest in real estate experience minimal variance in returns because the value of properties increases steadily. For this reason, qualified real estate agents and advisors are in high demand. If you wish to pursue this career, you should know the real estate courses offered in South Africa. So, which universities offer real estate courses in South Africa?

An aerial view of white concrete buildings during golden hours
An aerial view of white concrete buildings during golden hours. Photo: pexels.com, @Aleksejs Bergmanis (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Property management is a crucial aspect of development in many urban and semi-urban areas.
  • Developers and investors always seek professional guidance before investing. Therefore, people who have pursued real estate courses come in handy in such matters.
  • You can study real estate through accredited providers such as PropAcademy or by enrolling for university degrees (BSc, MSc) at accredited institutions.

Real estate courses in South Africa

The demand for business and residential properties is quite high in contemporary South Africa. People are afraid of making wrong property choices. A qualified real estate agent can help them make the right decision. One can get this qualification by pursuing one of the real estate courses available in South Africa.

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Some courses are free, while others are not. Check out the available programmes and the institutions offering them below.

1. University of Pretoria

If you have been wondering how to become a real estate agent in South Africa, consider joining the University of Pretoria. The institution is a multi-campus public research university. It has a Department of Construction Economics that offers the following programmes.

  • BSc Real Estate (3 years)
  • BSc(Hons) Real Estate (1 year)
  • MSc Real Estate/ Retail Properties

NB: You must meet the minimum subject and achievement requirements set by the university to pursue any of the above courses. The prices for these courses are determined by the university board and are subject to revision as the board deems fit.

2. South Africa Real Estate Academy

South Africa Real Estate Academy offers short real estate courses in South Africa. The institution was started in 2008 to provide high-quality and industry-relevant education and training in real estate issues.

The institution is fully accredited by the relevant authorities. It offers prerequisite qualifications for registration and licensing as a real estate agent in South Africa. Besides, it offers short programmes in ethics, sales, motivation and negotiation skills.

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3. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg logo and students
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg logo and students in the auditorium. Photo: @wits_university (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The University of the Witwatersrand is commonly known as Wits University or Wits. The institution's Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment has multiple schools, including the School of Construction Economics and Management.

This school offers multiple courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners. The requirements for real estate courses vary depending on the level. These programmes are listed below.

  • BSc Property Studies (3 years)
  • BSc Honours in Property Studies
  • Short programme in Property development and management
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Property Development and Management
  • Master of Science in Property Development and Management

4. University of Cape Town (UCT)

University of Cape Town campus and students during their graduation
University of Cape Town campus and students during their graduation. Photo: @university_of_cape_town (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The University of Cape Town is a leading public research university. It has various faculties and schools offering multiple programmes. One of the schools in the Engineering & the Built Environment is the School of Construction Economics & Management.

The university's real estate courses are listed below.

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  • BSc Property Studies
  • BSc (Hons) Property Studies
  • MSc Property Studies (research)

5. University of Johannesburg

The University of Johannesburg offers one programme known as the Advanced Diploma in Real Estate. This postgraduate programme is offered by the College of Business and Economics in the Department of Finance and Investment Management.

6. PropAcademy South Africa

PropAcademy offers online real estate courses and estate agent certification. The courses offered are listed below.

  • NQF Level 4 Real Estate (NQF4)
  • NQF Level 5 Real Estate (NQF5)
  • PDE5 Real Estate
  • Commercial Property Management
  • NQF 6 Facilities Manager

Real estate courses requirements in South Africa

To become a real estate agent in South Africa, you generally need an NQF Level 4 qualification, requiring a Matric (NSC) with passes in English and Maths/Business subjects, plus practical training under an agency mentor, leading to PPRA registration and passing the PDE exam.

Real estate courses prices in South Africa

Real estate course fees in South Africa vary significantly, from around R7,000 for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) NQF 4 to R17,000-R25,000+ for full NQF 4 & 5 qualifications.

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Free online real estate courses in South Africa

For free online real estate courses in South Africa, check out Property Room for motivational/sales skills, TRACS for Sectional Title basics in multiple languages, and PropAcademy for free downloads like CPD guides.

Can you do real estate courses online in South Africa?

Online real estate courses in South Africa primarily focus on mandatory NQF Level 4 & 5 qualifications for becoming a Property Practitioner, offered by providers like PropAcademy, Chartall Campus, and Der Walt Academy, covering essential skills, legalities, and business planning, with options for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).

Are there real estate courses at UNISA?

The University of South Africa does not offer any real estate programmes. The institution offers multiple programmes in other fields.

What are the real estate courses requirements at UNISA?

For UNISA real estate courses, you generally need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with passes in English, Maths, and relevant subjects like Economics/Business Econ/Accounting for diploma entry.

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What is a real estate course?

It is an academic or professional programme that acquaints learners with the specifics of real estate and prepares graduates for work in property management.

Which course is best for a real estate business?

If you wish to start a real estate business, you can pursue a course in real estate or property management. The programmes are available at different levels of academic learning.

How long do you study to become a real estate agent in South Africa?

Becoming a real estate agent in South Africa involves a mandatory 12-month internship (candidateship) under a full-status agent, alongside completing the FETC Real Estate (NQF Level 4) qualification, which can take around 10-12 months, with the entire process to become a full-status agent often spanning 1 to 2 years.

How many months does it take to complete a real estate course?

A real estate course typically takes 1 to 6 months, with online, self-paced options finishing fastest (a few weeks to 3 months) and structured classes taking longer (2-4 months).

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What is the salary of a real estate agent in South Africa?

The average base salary for a real estate agent in South Africa is R18 495 per month, according to Indeed.

If you wish to become successful in the real estate business, you should pursue one of the real estate courses offered in various institutions in South Africa. The skills and knowledge gained from these programmes will help you understand the specific information about the field.

Briefly.co.za recently published the requirements to study dentistry in South Africa. Dentistry is important in maintaining the health of human beings.

If you wish to pursue it, you must be ready for a lengthy and strenuous academic period. The results will be amazing because dentists earn well.

Source: Briefly News

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Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the Writer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com

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