Top 20 distance learning colleges in South Africa in 2024
Enrolling in accredited distance learning colleges in South Africa is an excellent way to advance your education. Work, family, and other responsibilities should not hinder anyone from progressing academically. This article lists credible colleges you can consider and provides their locations and contacts.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Overview of the top 20 distance learning colleges in South Africa
- Best distance learning colleges in South Africa
- 1. Skills Academy
- 2. Lyceum Correspondence College
- 3. Ember Academy
- 4. TWP Academy
- 5. Damelin Correspondence College
- 6. Home Study College
- 7. The Learning Group
- 8. Oxbridge Academy
- 9. Bellview Institute
- 10. International Business Training College (IBTC)
- 11. South African College of Business (SACOB)
- 12. The Assessment College
- 13. Matric College
- 14. STADIO
- 15. Optimi College
- 16. Varsity college
- 17. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
- 18. Business Management Training College
- 19. Lyceum Correspondence College
- 20. Milpark Education
- Which university offers distance learning in South Africa?
- What is the best online college in South Africa?
- Are online courses recognised in South Africa?
- Where can you study online teaching in South Africa?
- What are the advantages of distance learning in South Africa?
Distance learning in South Africa is a convenient way to study, especially for adults. Many colleges and students find this mode of learning cost-efficient. Accredited distance learning colleges in South Africa offer numerous diploma and certificate programs.
The compilation of the top 20 distance learning colleges in South Africa is based on factors such as academic reputation, accreditation status, program diversity, faculty expertise, and the overall quality of distance learning offerings. This ranking can vary based on individual preferences and requirements.
Overview of the top 20 distance learning colleges in South Africa
| No | College |
| 1 | Skills Academy |
| 2 | Lyceum Correspondence College |
| 3 | Ember Academy |
| 4 | TWP Academy |
| 5 | Damelin Correspondence College |
| 6 | Home Study College |
| 7 | The Learning Group |
| 8 | Oxbridge Academy |
| 9 | Bellview Institute |
| 10 | International Business Training College (IBTC) |
| 11 | South African College of Business (SACOB) |
| 12 | The Assessment College |
| 13 | Matric College |
| 14 | STADIO |
| 15 | Optimi College |
| 16 | Varsity College |
| 17 | Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology |
| 18 | Business Management Training College |
| 19 | Lyceum Correspondence College |
| 20 | Milpark Education |
Best distance learning colleges in South Africa
It's important to choose long-distance learning colleges registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and ensure they offer accredited courses. You should also consider the quality of the school's learning materials, tuition fees and other charges, and the availability of student support programs. Below is a list of accredited long-distance learning colleges in South Africa.
1. Skills Academy
- Address: 5th Floor, Standard Plaza, 440 Hilda St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Contact number: 021 838 8250
- Email: support@skillsacademy.edu.za
Skills Academy has been offering distance education since 2009. The private institution is registered with DHET. Skills Academy offers numerous courses accredited by SAQA, including financial accounting, office administration, and bookkeeping.
2. Lyceum Correspondence College
- Address: 130 Strand St, Central, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa, Cape Town
- Contact number: 0861 819 211
- Email: info@lyceum.co.za
LCC offers degrees, diplomas, and higher learning certificates. Their student advisors will help you get a course that matches your career path. Courses at Lyceum Correspondence College include traffic and metropolitan policing, administration in licensing practice, arts in disaster and safety management, commerce in management, criminal justice, Grade R teaching, and more.
3. Ember Academy
- Address: 5th Floor, Standard Plaza, 440 Hilda St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
- Contact number: +27 12 740 2350
- Email: admissions@embersacademy.org
Ember Academy offers online study groups, regular access to tutors, past exam papers, and study guides. The school understands distance students' challenges and tries to improve their learning experience. Ember Academy has accounting, business management, office administration, entrepreneurship, beauty therapy, photography, and more courses.
4. TWP Academy
- Address: 53A Mega Park, Corner of Peter Barlow Rd and Robert Sobukwe Rd, Bellville South, Cape Town, 7534, South Africa
- Contact number: 0800 39 00 27
- Email: info@togetherwepass.co.za
The Together We Pass Academy (TWP) was established in 2015. The institution has numerous courses, including bookkeeping, entrepreneurship, and financial management. An ICB course at TWP Academy is accredited by FASSET and recognized with the NQF.
5. Damelin Correspondence College
Source: UGC
- Address: House, 3rd Floor, Success, 2 Melle St, Braamfontein, South Africa
- Contact number: 0860 61 61 61
- Email: info@dcc.edu.za
DCC is among the top distance learning TVET colleges in South Africa and has a wide range of accredited courses. Popular ones are business management, mechanical engineering, childhood development, legal secretary, hotel management, and accounting. Damelin Correspondence College can help you elevate your career.
6. Home Study College
- Address: Unit 53B, Mega Park, Mill Rd, Bellville South, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
- Contact number: +27 80 039 0027
- Email: support@skillsacademy.edu.za
Home Study College is on the list of registered FET colleges in South Africa. It has adequate support systems for distance learners in South Africa. The institute specializes in bookkeeping, entrepreneurship, accounting, public sector courses, and financial management. Home Study College is accredited by FASSET and recognized by the NQF.
7. The Learning Group
- Address: Unit MP53B Mega Park C/O Peter Barlow and Mill Rd, Bellville South, Cape Town, 7530
- Contact number: +27 21 838 8250
The Learning Group has been operational since 1984. The institute often revises its courses to meet modern trends in the job market and distance learning sector. The Learning Group is one of the best places to take management assistant courses.
8. Oxbridge Academy
- Address: The Vineyard, Cnr Devon Valley & Adam Tas Road, Stellenbosch, 7600
- Contact number: 021 1100 200 (local), +2721 883 2454 (international)
- Email: info@oxbridgeacademy.edu.za
Courses at Oxbridge Academy are legit and relevant in the current job market. The institution is among reputable distance learning TVET colleges in South Africa. It has more than 25 years of experience and is a proud member of the ADvTECH Group. Some of its programs include engineering, public relations, and tourism & hospitality.
9. Bellview Institute
- Address: 5th Floor, Standard Plaza, 440 Hilda St, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa
- Contact number: 0800 39 00 27 (local), +27 21 828 8290 (international)
- Email: support@bellview.co.za
Bellview Institute is a private distance-learning college in South Africa. Its tutors offer support and guidance throughout your studies and will not delay study materials or feedback on assignments. Courses you could take at Bellview Institute include bookkeeping & accounting, business administration, and human resource management.
10. International Business Training College (IBTC)
Source: UGC
- Address: Block B, 144 Katherine Street, Grayston Ridge Office Park, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
- Contact number: 0861 111 411 (local), +27 861 111 411 (international)
- Email: info@ibtc.co.za
IBTC is among the distance learning colleges in South Africa specializing in business courses. It offers global qualifications such as CIMA, ACCA, and CFA. The IBTC institute has national diplomas and certificates in human resource management, business management, and marketing. Short online courses are also available.
11. South African College of Business (SACOB)
- Address: 88 Belvedere Road, Claremont, Cape Town 7708
- Contact number: 021 701 5407
- Email: info@sacob.com
SACOB offers business courses like accounting, business administration, and business management. The programs ensure that the student acquires the theoretical knowledge, skills and practical know-how to succeed in contemporary business surroundings. The SACOB institute is registered by the Department of Higher Education in South Africa.
12. The Assessment College
- Address: 128 Richards Drive, Halfway House, Midrand, 1684
- Contact number: 082 881 2690
- Email: info@assessmentcollege.com
The Assessment College offers high-quality online education in South Africa. It is also a global education training and skills development. While the institution strives to give you the best education, your responsibility is to ensure you gain the best skills and knowledge from your course.
13. Matric College
- Address: 440 Hilda Street Standard Plaza, 5th FloorHatfield, Pretoria
- Contact number: 012 762 7100
- Email: study@matric.co.za
Matric College sends students study materials via its courier system. The school offers Adult Matric – Senior Certificate (Amended), Matric Rewrite, ICB Courses, Matric Upgrade, and National Qualification Courses. ICB courses at Matric College include office administration, small business financial management, and financial accounting.
14. STADIO
- Address: Plot 10, R28 Service Road, Krugersdorp, 1739, South Africa
- Telephone number: 087 158 5000 (South Africa), +264 (0) 8333 10080 (Namibia)
- Email: hello@stadio.ac.za (South Africa), hellonam@stadio.ac.za (Namibia)
If the learner wants to be a teacher, enrol at the foundation phase teaching colleges for distance learning. Teaching courses at STADIO are some of the best programs in the country.
The school has campuses in Namibia, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Midrand, and Durban. STADIO also offers long-distance learning programs for business and other professions.
15. Optimi College
Source: UGC
- Address: Tygervalley Office Park 1 Corner of Old Oak and Durban Rd, Cape Town, 7538, South Africa
- Contact numbers: 0861 663 663 (local), +27 21 822 3400 (international)
- Email: info@optimicollege.co.za, support@optimicollege.co.za
Optimi College is among the top IT colleges in South Africa for distance learning. It is a private registered institution with over 16 years of experience and offers over 150 accredited qualifications and short courses. Some of the courses Optimi College offers include graphic design, events management, beauty therapy, project management, and supply chain management.
16. Varsity college
- Address: Waterstone Drive, Benmore Rd, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
- Contact number: +27 11 784 6939
- Email: amoshou@varsitycollege.co.za
Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education, founded in 1991. The institution is a private education registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. Varsity College is among the best distance-learning TVET colleges in South Africa, with eight campuses across the country.
17. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
- Address: 292 Anton Lembede Street, Durban
- Contact number: 0861 321 321
- Email: info@richfield.ac.za
The Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology (RGIT) is a private higher education institution that offers distance learning for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Students can specialise in the following fields: Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Accounting and Economics.
18. Business Management Training College
- Address: 147 Second Rd, Chartwell, 2191
- Contact number: +27 10 010 0936
- Email: info@bmtcollege.ac.za
Business Management Training College was established in 1973 in association with the Institute of Business Management. The institution specializes in business management and human resources management qualifications. BMT College is accredited by the Council on Higher Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training.
19. Lyceum Correspondence College
- Address: Adcorp Place, 102 Western Service Road Woodmead, Sandton, South Africa
- Contact number: 0861 819 211
- Email: info@lyceum.co.za
Lyceum Correspondence College was founded in 1997. They offer degree, diploma and certificate levels. Lyceum Correspondence College offers courses from the faculty of education, humanities and commerce.
20. Milpark Education
Source: UGC
- Address: 3rd Floor, Deneb House, 368 Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town
- Contact number: 086 999 0001
- Email: support@milpark.ac.za
Milpark Education is a private education established in 1997. The institution was accredited by the Council on Higher Education. Milpark Education offers education in three formats: distance learning, distance learning online, and online short courses.
Which university offers distance learning in South Africa?
Universities offering distance learning in South Africa include Boston City Campus & Business College, the University of South Africa (UNISA), Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria (UP), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Wits University and Botho University.
These universities have top foundation phase teaching colleges for distance learning in South Africa. They also offer e-learning courses for business, Information Technology, and other careers.
What is the best online college in South Africa?
Some of the best online colleges in SA include Matric College, Varsity College, Lyceum Correspondence College and Damelin Correspondence College.
Are online courses recognised in South Africa?
The majority of online courses are recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Most of these courses are those that are offered by reputable institutions.
Where can you study online teaching in South Africa?
Various universities, such as the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch, and the University of South Africa, offer various online teaching courses.
What are the advantages of distance learning in South Africa?
Distance learning is beneficial in the following ways:
- You can study while working to gain experience.
- You can use your salary to pay tuition fees for distance learning programs.
- You can study from anywhere within or outside the country.
- You can create a study timetable that does not affect your job, family, and other responsibilities.
- You save money that could have been spent on campus hostels or travelling to school daily.
Distance learning colleges in South Africa make learning easy. Before enrolling, contact several schools and compare their fees and other aspects. Moreover, conduct a thorough background check on institutions to ensure they are registered and their courses are accredited.
Briefly.co.za shared a list of short courses in demand in South Africa. You can take these courses while still pursuing your undergraduate degree.
Short courses give you the skills you cannot get in theory classes. It is recommended to take short courses that will provide you with an added advantage in the job market.
Source: Briefly News
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