Avoiding Fly-by-Night Colleges in South Africa (2026): What to Know Before Applying
Wondering how to apply to study in 2026? That is thrilling, but it does require some caution because of flee-by-night colleges. These are unregulated, shady so-called “colleges” that claim to be real but offer nonexistent qualifications, academic certs and credentials that are entirely unrecognized.
Countless South African students have been taken in by these scammers. If you are considering your plans after matric, this is your guide to surviving in these waters.
Defining a Fly-by-Night College
As of now, a fly-by-night college is an unregistered and or unaccredited institution that operates without proper registration from DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) and CHE (Council on Higher Education). These so-called colleges and universities issue certificates and diplomas and advertise on social media; however, none of their awards are recognized.
After collecting your fees and masquerading as viable academic institution, they offer you a series of “modules” which are utterly useless. These heavily laden courses achieve nothing and are essentially a waste.
Warning Signs of Fraud
Prevention is better than cure, mitigage financial losses by remaining vigilant and proactive.
No registration number with DHET or CHE.
No accreditation with SAQA or Umalusi.
Suspiciously cheap tuition.
Aggressive promotional strategies used on platforms such as TikTok, Threads, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
“Advisory services on Social Media and Web Management.”
Using peculiar titles that seem to be unlisted on the National Qualifications Framework.
Web pages that lack a physical location and do not provide a listed telephone number.
No information about the instructors, including their professional credentials.
Unjustified claims of “partnerships” with actual universities.
What To Do Before Applying Anywhere
Here’s a checklist that puts your safety first when considering a college to ensure that you do not get scammed.
- Check The DHET Registration
Visit the DHET website to confirm if the college is registered.
www.dhet.gov.za
Go to “List of Registered Private Colleges.” If the college doesn’t appear on the list, then don’t apply.
- Check For SAQA Accreditation
Visit SAQA’s (South African Qualifications Authority) website.
www.saqa.org.za
This body maintains the official NQF list. If a qualification is not enrolled, then it is not a legitimate qualification.
- Check Directly With Umalusi
Visit: www.umalusi.org.za
This body is responsible for college education quality assurance, so checking directly is a great idea.
- Slow Google
Do the following:
Search the name of the college alongside “scam” or “fraud.”
Social media has reviews so check for those.
Go to HelloPeter, Reddit, or X and get the unfiltered opinions.
- Get Direct Evidence
The college in question should be able to freely give you:
Registration certificates.
Accreditation letters.
Curriculum and faculty documents.
If they are evasive or unwilling, that is a warning sign.
💡 Recognised Types Of Colleges In South Africa
Knowing the types of colleges will assist you in distinguishing the authentic and the fraudulent ones.
📘 Public TVET Colleges
These are offered by the government. They are fully funded and highly regulated. They provide education that is practical and leads to gainful employment. South Africa has more than 50 TVET colleges.
Safe
Affordable
Widely Recognised
Registered Private Colleges
Some private colleges are totally legit—but they must be registered with DHET and accredited with Umalusi/CHE.
Examples: Damelin, Boston City Campus, Varsity College (Note: Individual campuses should be checked because some of them are run as franchises).
Online-Only Institutions
Online learning is so big in 2026, but it is also a major area of scams. Only trust those people that:
Registered with SAQA & DHET
Offering SA accredited qualifications
With proper digital infrastructure (e.g. UNISA, iQ Academy)
How to Discuss This on Threads (and Assist Others)
If you are on Threads, make sure that you don’t just help yourself, help others evade the snare too. This is how you initiate the dialogue:
🎓 “Just came across another skimming college advertisement featuring a ‘degree in three months.’ For everyone, kindly verify with DHET and SAQA first. Trust me, you do not want to regret it in 2027. #StudentLife #SouthAfrica”
“If a college is not willing to show you their registration number, do yourself a favor and walk away. These institutions are still in business as of 2026. Do not be the next statistic. #CareerTalk #Matric2025”
Plan to study next year? Don’t use this checklist before applying:
DHET
SAQA
Umalusi
No shortcuts to success. #EducationMatters #CollegeTips”
You just might help someone’s future in the process.
Bonus Tips: Emotional Manipulation
employing emotion is a tactic that fly-by-night colleges use. Remain vigilant when you hear,
“We’ll take you,” “You’ve been rejected by other places,” “Your parents don’t have to be informed,” “Don’t worry, we don’t care about your marks, everyone is welcomed.”
These are emotional traps. They make you feel accepted, but in reality, they are selling you something that is not true. If it is too easy, it is too good to be true, and it’s a facade.
How to Proceed If You’ve Signed Up For One
In this specific case, you should report your finding. Follow the steps below:
Collect evidence: Emails, receipts, text messages.
File a report with the police: Many of these fly by night colleges operate unlawfully.
Advertise your experience: Spread the word to help someone at least.
Seek genuine substitutes: Immediately, apply to a genuine TVET or online college.
Authentic Resources (2026)
You may now refer to the following links for verification:
DHET: https://www.dhet.gov.za
SAQA: https://www.saqa.org.za
Umalusi: https://www.umalusi.org.za
CHE: https://www.che.ac.za
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS): https://www.nsfas.org.za
If a college can’t be found in any of these sites, it is a waste of time.
Concluding Remarks
Enrolling in a reputable college can transform your life, but being ensnared by a fly by night can destroy it. In 2026, the scammers got smarter but so can the resources you use to protect yourself. In this case, do not trust any shiny prospects on threads and tiktok.
You’ve invested so much into these efforts to be be scammed into jokes. 💪