Northlink College courses: Complete list of full-time and part-time courses

Choosing a TVET college can shape the next decade of your career, and Northlink College courses range from welding and fitting to hospitality, IT, and business management. As one of South Africa's largest public FET institutions, spread across seven specialised campuses in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, Northlink offers school leavers, career changers, and working adults a practical, industry-linked route into employment.

Key takeaways

• Northlink College is a nationally registered, public TVET college regulated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
• It was established in 2002 from the merger of Wingfield Technical College, Tygerberg College, Protea College, and Bellville Technical College, and bought Belhar College in 2005.
• Courses span NCV (NQF 2–4), NATED/Report 191 (N4–N6), Occupational Certificates, short skills courses, and trade tests across seven specialised campuses.
• Applications for the 2026/2027 intake opened on 1 June 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.
• Northlink offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), including a merSETA-funded Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) programme launched in 2026 for experienced tradespeople without formal certification.

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Northlink College courses: all you should know

Northlink College was created after Wingfield Technical College, Tygerberg College, Protea College, and Bellville Technical College merged.

The college strives to maintain a culture of integrity, loyalty, and mutual trust by fostering innovation, creativity, and responsiveness. The school provides a wide range of programmes. Some of their major research areas include:

• Art and Culture
• Services
• Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences
• Physical Planning and Construction
• Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
• Law, Military and Security
• Business, Commerce and Management Studies

Overview of the Northlink College campuses

Each of Northlink's seven campuses specialises in a particular field, so choosing the right campus matters as much as choosing the right course.

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Northlink College courses in 2026

Familiarising yourself with all Northlink College courses and fees in 2026 is encouraged. Below is an exploration of the courses offered.

NCV NQF Level 2-4

Various programmes under this level include:

• Engineering & Related Design
• Finance, Economics and Accounting (FEA)
• Hospitality
• Office Administration
• Primary Health
• Safety in Society
• Tourism

N4 – N6 Business Studies

The courses offered under this category are listed below.

• Business Management
• Financial Management
• Human Resource Management
• Legal Secretary
• Management Assistant
• Marketing Management
• Medical Secretary N4-N6: National Diploma
• Public Management
• National Diploma Tourism N4 – N6
• National Diploma: Hospitality and Catering Services N4 – N6
• National Diploma: Clothing Production N4 – N6

N4 – N6 Engineering Studies

Below is a list of engineering courses on offer.

• Building & Civil Construction
• Electrical (Light Current)
• Electrical (Heavy Current)
• Mechanical: Fitter & Turner

Occupational programmes

The occupational programmes offered are listed below.

• National Diploma: Sport Management NQF Level 5
• Occupational Certificate: Fitness Instructor Level 4
• National Higher Diploma: Performing Arts QCF Level 5
• Cosmetology (ITEC)
• Occupational Certificate: Hairdresser
• Occupational Certificate: Welder
• Occupational Certificate: Millwright

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Short skills

The short courses offered at Northlink College are listed below.

• Interior Decorating
• ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping
• Graphic Design
• Web Design
• ICDL
• Pastel
• Xhosa
• German
• Project Management
• Guesthouse Management
• Floristry
• A+
• Photography
• IELTS
• TEFL
• English Enrichment
• Cooking
• Events Management

Trade tests

Below is a list of the trade tests and Competency Based Modular Training (CBMT) options on offer.

• Bricklaying
• Carpentry
• Electrical Phase 1-4
• Boilermaking Phase 1-4
• Diesel Fitter
• Motor Mechanic Level 1-2
• Automotive Electrician NQF 1-4
• Fitting and Machining Phase 1-4
• Tool, Jig and Die Maker Phase 14
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC)

Northlink College requirements

The entry requirements depend on the programme type and level. As a general guide for 2026:

• NCV (NQF Level 2–4): a Grade 9 pass is the general minimum entry requirement, with some engineering and IT streams expecting strong Mathematics marks.
• NATED/Report 191 N4 programmes: a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent (Grade 12). Engineering N4 specifically requires NSC Mathematics and Physical Science. If you hold Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics, you'll need to start at N2 or N3 to bridge the gap.
• Occupational Certificates: requirements vary by trade, but most (e.g., Millwright, Welder) require a Grade 9 pass at minimum, with some employers or QCTO pathways preferring a Grade 11 or 12 pass.
• All applicants must complete a compulsory online Placement Assessment (numeracy and English literacy) before their application can be processed.

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Standard supporting documents include a certified copy of your ID, your latest academic results, and proof of residential address.

Northlink College courses for Grade 10

Learners who have just completed Grade 9 typically enter Northlink at NCV NQF Level 2, which is broadly equivalent to Grade 10.

This is the entry point for the full three-year NCV pathway (Level 2 to Level 4) in fields like Engineering, Finance, Economics and Accounting, Hospitality, Office Administration, Primary Health, Safety in Society, and Tourism.

Northlink College courses for Grade 11

Grade 11-equivalent study at Northlink falls under NCV NQF Level 3, the second year of the NCV pathway. Learners who already hold an NQF Level 2 certificate progress here in the same subject stream, alongside select occupational programmes that accept Grade 10 or 11 school leavers directly.

Northlink College courses for Grade 12

Grade 12 graduates have the widest range of options: NCV NQF Level 4 (the final NCV year, equivalent to a full Matric). With an actual National Senior Certificate in hand, direct entry into NATED/Report 191 N4 programmes in Business Studies or Engineering Studies is possible.

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Occupational Certificate programmes, such as Millwright or Welder, are also popular post-Matric options.

Centres of specialisation

Below is a look at various college centres and what they specialise in.

Belhar Campus

• Electrical
• Plumber
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Bricklayer

Bellville Campus

• Boilermaker
• Welder
• Diesel Mechanic
• Automotive Mechanic

Wingfield Campus

• Fitter and Turner
• Millwright
• Mechanical Fitter

The institution offers short-term or part-time courses on some of its campuses. Short-term business studies can be acquired at the Protea and Tygerberg campuses. In addition, short-term engineering courses are offered at the Bellville and Goodwood campuses.

Below is a table of the non-formal (short) courses and their fees.

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Northlink College fees

Familiarising yourself with the Northlink College courses and fees is important before applying. The fees a student pays at Northlink College highly depend on the course one is taking and its level.

Even so, the underlying factor for all students is that they must clear all the fees before being granted the go-ahead to sit for any national examination.

Northlink is a public college, so NSFAS covers tuition for many qualifying students. For self-funded students, a roughly 20% deposit is typically required at registration if not NSFAS-funded.

Based on the most recently published 2026 fee guidance, here is what to expect. Note that all figures are estimates and can change, so always confirm the exact schedule with the college or your chosen campus.

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NB: Engineering students should also budget for tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), often an additional R2,000 or more, and hairdressing students for kit costs on top of tuition.

Is Northlink still open for 2026 applications?

Yes. The online application period for Semester 1/Trimester 1 of the 2026–2027 academic year opened on 1 June 2026 and remains open until 30 November 2026. Prospective students can still apply as of August 2026. Programmes fill up on a rolling basis, so applying early within that window is strongly recommended.

How to apply to Northlink College

Northlink accepts online applications only. The general application process is explored below.

• Complete the compulsory online Placement Assessment (numeracy and English literacy) before applying.
• Create a student profile on the Northlink applicant portal using your ID number and a PIN.

• Select your intake year, campus, and specific course.
• Upload certified copies of your ID, latest academic results, and proof of residential address.
• Wait for an SMS and email confirming your application status ("Awaiting Selection," then "Provisionally Accepted" if successful) and respond promptly, as offers typically expire within 48 hours.
• Applicants are also encouraged to apply for NSFAS funding separately, where eligible, as this can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

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Contacts

Below are the contact details for the college.

• Central office physical address: 80 Voortrekker Road, BELLVILLE, 7530
• Central office postal address: Private Bag X1, PANORAMA, 7506
• Central office phone numbers: 08600 65465/ + 27 21 970 9000
• Email address: info@northlink.co.za

Where is the College of Cape Town situated?

The College of Cape Town has multiple campuses located across the central Cape Peninsula area.

Which are the Northlink College teaching courses on offer?

Northlink College does not provide any teaching courses. Instead, their primary areas of study are Engineering Studies, Business Studies, and Utility/General Studies.

Which province is Northlink College located in?

Northlink College is a South African government higher education institution located in Bellville, Western Cape. The institution is fully accredited by the Council on Higher Education.

When did Northlink College start?

The institution was founded in 2002 after the government merged four colleges, i.e., Wingfield Technical College, Tygerberg College, Bellville Technical College, and Belhar College.

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Which courses are available at Northlink College for 2026?

Check out the full list of courses on offer above. It is wise to confirm the Northlink College courses and fees in 2025 from the college before starting the application process.

Does Northlink offer hospitality?

Yes. Hospitality is one of Northlink's flagship offerings, based mainly at the Tygerberg campus, which has its own functioning training restaurant and is often described as the college's "university-style" campus.

What are the requirements for Northlink?

Check out the general requirements above. You are encouraged to confirm the specific requirements for specific courses from the institution.

Does Northlink have RES?

Yes, the college has student accommodation and residence options available for eligible students on selected campuses and through off-campus partnerships.

Does Northlink have RPL?

Yes, including a merSETA-funded Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) programme launched in 2026 for experienced tradespeople seeking formal certification.

There are multiple Northlink College courses across engineering, business, hospitality, IT, and the trades, with fees that remain relatively affordable compared to university study. With the next application window open until the end of November 2026, now is a good time to complete the placement assessment, gather your documents, and apply for admission.

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Source: Briefly News