City Varsity admissions explained through one key requirement
City Varsity was deregistered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in 2024 due to failure by its parent company, Educor, to submit audited financial statements for 2021 and 2022. Learners and lecturers at the institutions' campuses in Braamfontein, Johannesburg and Cape Town have since been left stranded. Read on for more information on the fate of the embattled higher learning institution.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- City Varsity admissions in 2026
- City Varsity courses and fees
- How to apply to City Varsity
- City Varsity requirements
- City Varsity contact details
- Is City Varsity a college or university?
- Is City Varsity a private institution?
- What does City Varsity offer?
- Does NSFAS pay for City Varsity?
- Was City Varsity deregistered?
- Why did City Varsity close?
Key takeaways
- City Varsity was first deregistered on March 25 2024, due to non-compliance, including failure to disclose annual financial statements.
- In December 2025, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) issued a new notice to cancel the registration of the institution due to sustained non-compliance with the Higher Education Act.
- Lecturers and support staff have since reported non-payment of salaries, and students with pending programmes have been left stranded.
- Some of its campuses, including the Braamfontein campus in Johannesburg, have permanently shut down.
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City Varsity admissions in 2026
There are no admissions for City Varsity in 2026 since the institution ceased operation. The university was first deregistered in 2024,
The government granted the university a provisional reinstatement in August 2024, with strict instruction to submit missing reports before June 6, 2025. Unfortunately, the college failed to submit the missing reports, forcing the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to withdraw accreditation in December 2025 for all qualifications previously offered by the institution.
All campuses in Johannesburg, Cape town and Braamfontein have since ceased operations. The Department of Higher Education and Training has since advised affected students to contact their offices for guidance on how to transfer to other institutions.
City Varsity courses and fees
Below are the programmes that were offered at the institution.
City Varsity Degree programmes
- Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television
- Bachelor of Arts in Professional Acting for Camera
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Sound Recording Techniques
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Sound for Games and Animation
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Sound for Film and Media
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Programming and Music Production
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Music Arrangement
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Location Recording
- Bachelor of Arts in Acting with an Elective in Writing
- Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology with an Elective in Live Sound
- Bachelor of Arts in Acting with an Elective in Film Studies
City Varsity Diploma programmes
- Diploma in Professional Photography
- Diploma in Sound Engineering
- Diploma in Film and Television Production
- Diploma in Multimedia Design and Production with an Elective in Scripting
- Diploma in Multimedia Design and Production with an Elective in Interactive Design
- Diploma in Professional Acting for Camera
- Diploma in Animation with an Elective in Animation 3D
- Diploma in Animation with an Elective in Animation 2D
City Varsity Certificate courses
- Higher Certificate in Acting for Camera
- Higher Certificate in Motion Picture Make-up
- Higher Certificate in New Media Development
- Higher Certificate in Film and Media Production
- Higher Certificate in Digital Media Arts
- Advanced Certificate in Art Direction
City Varsity short courses
- SLP in Sound Design and Post Production
- SLP Graphic Design and Digital Media
- SLP in TV Presenting
- SLP in Acting for Camera
- SLP in Vocal Training for Radio
- SLP in Digital Video Editing
- SLP in Directing
- SLP in Camerawork and Lighting
- SLP in Scriptwriting
- SLP in Short Video Production
- SLP in Creative Writing
NB: All SLPs were offered full-time or part-time, while all other courses on the list were offered full-time.
Source: UGC
City Varsity online courses
The following courses were offered online only. The amount payable for each programme is indicated alongside its name. However, you must note that the institution has ceased operations, so any payments to City varsity are at your own risk.
- Adobe Design Applications Adobe Photoshop - R6,450.00
- Adobe Design Applications Graphic Design - R10,000.00
- Adobe Design Applications: Adobe Illustrator - R6,450.00
- Adobe Design Applications: Adobe InDesign - R6,450.00
- Brand Strategy for Creatives - R9,800.00
- Certified Digital and Social Selling Specialist - R12,500.00
- Certified Digital Strategy & Planning Specialist - R27,999.00
- Certified Search Marketing Specialist - R27,999.00
- Certified Social Media Marketing Specialist - R31,000.00
- Digital Journalism - R710,000.00
- Digital Marketing Essentials - R12,500.00
- DMI Tracks Content Marketing - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Customer Experience - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Data and Analytics - R6,792.75
- DMI Tracks Digital Display - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Digital Strategy - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks eCommerce - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Email Marketing - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Email Marketing - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Paid Media Course (PPC) - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) - R597.17
- DMI Tracks Social Media - R6,600.00
- DMI Tracks UX and Website Design - R6,600.00
- Expert-Level Certificate in Digital Marketing - R85,125.00
- Foundations of Creative Writing - R6,500.00
- Foundations of Photography - R5,000.00
- Intermediate Creative Writing - R6,700.00
- Introduction to Copy-Editing - R7,400.00
- Introduction to Copywriting - R7,400.00
- Introduction to Digital Cinematography - R8,500.00
- Introduction to Digital Video Editing - R4,900.00
- Introduction to DJing - R3,000.00
- Introduction to Documentary Production - R7,500.00
- Introduction to Interior Design - R8,500.00
- Introduction to Screenwriting - R7,500.00
- Mind Power for Successful Creatives - R5,200.00
- Navigating the SA Film and Television Industry - R8,500.00
- Principles of Graphic Design - R7,500.00
- Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing - R31,000.00
- User Experience (UX/UI) Design - R12,000.00
How to apply to City Varsity
Source: UGC
City Varsity College was deregistered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). So before applying to the institution, be sure to check with the relevant authorities.
City Varsity requirements
Below are the general requirements that were required to gain admission to the university
General requirements for degree programmes
- A National Senior Certificate with a degree endorsement
- A National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4 with a degree endorsement
- Amended Senior Certificate
- Degree endorsement
- A Senior Certificate
- University exemption or degree endorsement
- A foreign school leaving certificate that complies with the minimum admission requirements for degree study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board
- RPL /CAT ( as per admission policy)
- Age exemption (23 years and above as per the admission policy)
Source: UGC
General requirements for diploma courses
- A National Senior Certificate with a diploma endorsement
- A National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4 with a diploma endorsement
- Amended Senior Certificate
- A diploma endorsement
- A Senior Certificate (SC)
- Foreign school leaving certificate that complies with the minimum admission requirements for Diploma study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board
- RPL /CAT ( as per admission policy)
- Age Exemption (23 years and above as per the admission policy)
General requirements for certificate courses
- A National Senior Certificate with a higher certificate endorsement
- A National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4 with a higher certificate endorsement
- Amended Senior Certificate (ASC)
- Higher certificate endorsement
- A Senior Certificate (SC)
- Foreign school leaving certificate that complies with the minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board
- RPL /CAT ( as per admission policy)
- Age Exemption (23 years and above as per the admission policy)
NB: The requirements for online courses depend on the particular course of interest.
City Varsity contact details
If you need additional information or support, use the contact details below to talk to the relevant officials.
City Varsity Cape Town campus
- Physical address: CityVarsity, 18 Roeland St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
- Phone: +27(0)86 181 9229
- Email: capetown@cityvarsity.co.za
Is City Varsity a college or university?
The institution was a private higher education institution in South Africa.
Is City Varsity a private institution?
Yes, it was a private higher education institution in South Africa.
What does City Varsity offer?
City Varsity offered various degrees, diplomas and certificate programmes in media production, but the institution has since been deregistered.
Does NSFAS pay for City Varsity?
The NSFAS did not pay for this institution's fees because it was a private college. NSFAS normally funds students in public institutions of higher learning or tertiary institutions.
Was City Varsity deregistered?
Yes, the City Varsity was deregistered on March 25 2024, due to non-compliance, including failure to disclose annual financial statements.
Why did City Varsity close?
City Varsity closed due to a failure of the parent company, Educor, to submit audited financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022. Thus violating the Higher Education Act.
If you are wondering about City Varsity College admissions in 2026, then you must note that the institution was deregistered due to non-compliance. Prospective students seeking to apply to City Varsity are advised to follow the instructions of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
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