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Dikuno Community Development Trust

Post-schooling resources

Free help with applying to university or a TVET college, paying for your studies and finding work or training.

Leaving school is a big step. These links explain where to study, how to find funding and where to look for work experience, with a focus on Limpopo and North West. Application dates are tight, so start early: most closing dates fall between September and January.

Where to study

  • Illustration of a phone matching a learner with two education buildings
    Not yet placed? Start here

    Central Application Service (CAS)

    The Department of Higher Education and Training’s service for learners who have not been placed at a university, TVET college or other institution. Register and institutions that find a match send you an offer by SMS or email. Ask on WhatsApp: 081 308 4196. It replaced the old clearing house.

    • Government service
    • WhatsApp
    • Universities and TVET
    Visit CAS (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a university building on a hill with two students
    Turfloop and Medunsa

    University of Limpopo

    A public university in Limpopo with programmes in health, science, humanities, management and law. Apply online and check the current application fee and closing date, then ask about financial aid.

    • Limpopo
    • Apply online
    Visit the university (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a university building with trees and the words Free to apply
    Thohoyandou

    University of Venda

    A public university in Vhembe, Limpopo. Online applications for 2027 carried no application fee, but the closing date was 30 September 2026. Check the dates for the next intake.

    • Limpopo
    • No application fee (2027)
    • Apply online
    Visit Univen (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a university building with a flag and an open book
    Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark

    North-West University

    The province’s main public university, with a campus at Mahikeng. Online applications were reported to have no application fee. Check the current fee, closing dates and funding options on the site.

    • North West
    • Apply online
    Visit NWU (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of gears, a spanner and a hard hat
    Practical and trade skills

    TVET colleges

    Public TVET colleges teach trades, engineering, business and other practical skills. Limpopo has Capricorn, Lephalale, Mopani South East, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg colleges. North West has Orbit, Taletso and Vuselela. Find your nearest campus from the Department’s site, then apply directly. Many colleges do not charge to apply.

    • Limpopo
    • North West
    • Apply to the college
    Find a college (opens in a new tab)

Paying for your studies

  • Illustration of a graduation cap and a card showing R0
    University and TVET funding

    NSFAS

    The National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges, based on household income. Applying is free: never pay anyone to apply. Applications open once a year, so check the closing date. For 2027 it is 31 October 2026.

    • Free to apply
    • Check the closing date
    Go to NSFAS (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a teacher at a board with two learners
    Become a teacher

    Funza Lushaka bursary

    A Department of Basic Education bursary for students training to teach, especially Maths, Science, Technology and African languages. It covers tuition, accommodation or transport, meals and learning materials. New applicants for 2027 apply by 31 January 2027 at eservices.gov.za.

    • Teaching careers
    • eservices.gov.za
    • Apply by 31 January 2027
    Read about the bursary (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a mine headgear, a hard hat and a hill
    Mining and minerals

    MQA bursaries

    The Mining Qualifications Authority funds study for the mining sector. For unemployed students, your university or TVET college applies on your behalf, so ask the funding office at your institution. For 2027 funding, applications close on 19 November 2026.

    • Via your institution
    • Check the closing date
    Read about MQA bursaries (opens in a new tab)

Work, training and staying safe

  • Illustration of a phone showing a briefcase and a free sign-up button
    Work experience and training

    SA Youth.mobi

    A free, zero-rated platform that connects young people with work experience, on-the-job training, jobs and skills programmes. Registration is free and you can use it on a phone without data charges.

    • Free to register
    • Zero-rated
    Register on SA Youth (opens in a new tab)
  • Illustration of a certificate with a tick and a magnifying glass
    Avoid bogus colleges

    Check that a college is real

    Before you pay anyone, check that the college and its qualification are registered. Umalusi lists accredited institutions and SAQA lets you check registered qualifications. Real institutions do not ask for payment to “secure” a place or funding.

    • Free to check
    • Umalusi
    • SAQA
    Check on SAQA (opens in a new tab)

About these links

These sites belong to other organisations and government departments. Dikuno does not run them. Dates, fees and rules change every year, so please check each site. Applying for funding or admission is free: do not pay anyone to do it for you.

Need a hand?

The Career Helpline can advise on subject choice and study options: call 086 999 0123 or SMS 072 204 5056. You can also ask your school, your nearest library or our team through the contact page.