Prospective students warned against bogus institutions

ONE of the country’s leading independent higher learning institutions has advised matrics from the class of 2018 to be extra careful before submitting late applications to institutes of higher learning. The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) says prospective students need to ensure they do their homework before signing up with institutions still accepting applications for study in 2019.

The IIE’s head of the faculty of Information and Communications Technology, Nola Payne said parents and learners must ensure they don’t fall prey to institutions that are either not registered and accredited, or whose qualifications are not recognised.

“The good news however, is that there are still exciting study options available, particularly in the private sector, where good institutions have a strong focus on work-ready programmes,” she said.

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She went on to say now is also a good time for even those prospective students already accepted into a programme, to consider whether they have chosen the right study path.

“Those who have already signed up, should honestly assess whether they are excited about the degree on which they will soon embark, as well as the institution they will attend. It is better to change course now, before spending time and money trying to make the wrong thing work, and becoming part of SA’s high first year dropout statistics,” said Payne.

Payne says South Africa’s single quality assurance system and one National Qualifications Framework means that any institution offering a registered and accredited qualification – whether public or private – is offering a qualification of equal standing.

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All registered and accredited higher education institutions – whether they be public universities or private – are registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). They are only registered if they have been accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

“To look up a qualification on the NQF, search for it on the SAQA website, or ask the institution for its SAQA identity number, which should be readily available. If the institution is recognised by the DHET and the programme is listed on the NQF, prospective students and their parents can be confident about the bona fides of any qualification they want to pursue,” added Payne.