2027 Intake · Linked Through Excellence
Apply to Northlink TVET College — practical skills across Cape Town's northern suburbs.
Northlink links seven campuses across Bellville, Belhar, Goodwood, Parow, Protea, Tygerberg and Wingfield, offering NCV, NATED and QCTO-accredited occupational programmes across more than 70 courses. Applying is free — here's exactly what you need, and how the college's rolling intake system works.
About the college
Four colleges linked together, since 2002
Northlink TVET College was established in 2002 through the merger of four colleges in Cape Town's northern suburbs — Wingfield Technical College (which itself spanned Wingfield, Goodwood and Table Bay), Tygerberg College (Tygerberg and Parow) and Bellville Technical College. In 2005 Northlink acquired Belhar College, a private institution, bringing its campus count to seven. The name "Northlink" combines "north," reflecting the college's position in Cape Town, with "link," describing how it joined the formerly separate colleges together.
Today Northlink is one of only 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa, serving Cape Town and the wider Western Cape with more than 70 courses spanning NCV, NATED, Short Skills Programmes, and QCTO-accredited Occupational and Artisan Development programmes, backed by modern laboratories and computer facilities.
Good to know
Northlink doesn't run a single fixed application window — it processes applications on a rolling basis across semester and trimester intakes throughout the year, so a specific programme's window can open and close outside the main June–November period. Always check www.northlink.co.za or call the Applications Department on +27 (0)21 970 9090 for your programme's current status.
Plan ahead
2027 key application dates
Northlink's dates shift year to year and by programme — the window below reflects the recent pattern and is a strong planning guide, not a fixed deadline.
Semester 1 / Trimester 1 opens
The main application window for the largest intake has recently opened around June, giving applicants a wide runway to prepare documents.
Main window closes
Recent cycles have kept this window open until 30 November — but always confirm, as closing dates have also landed as early as late September or October in other years.
Trimester 2 & 3 intakes
Additional shorter windows open later in the year for specific campuses and programmes — for example, Wingfield's part-time Engineering Studies courses.
Registration
Confirmed and returning students typically register in January, ahead of the new academic year.
Online, free of charge
How to apply to Northlink
Applications are submitted online through the student i-Enabler portal, or offline by downloading and delivering a form — and applying is completely free for South African applicants.
Before you start
- Decide on your programme, qualification type and campus — the seven campuses each specialise differently.
- Gather a certified copy of your ID, your latest school report or results, and proof of residence.
- Complete the compulsory career guidance assessment, which helps match you to a suitable course.
Submit online or offline
- Go to the Northlink online application portal at northlink.co.za and log in using the student i-Enabler system.
- Select the correct academic year and choose between NCV, NATED, or occupational programmes.
- Upload certified copies of your ID and latest academic results in PDF format, then submit.
- Alternatively, download the offline application form and fax, email, post, or hand-deliver it with your documents to any campus.
Understand the options
NCV, NATED, or Occupational?
NC(V) — National Certificate (Vocational)
Three-year, career-oriented programmes offered across most Northlink campuses, from Engineering to Tourism.
NATED (Report 191)
Structured N-level programmes generally requiring matric, progressing toward a National Diploma with workplace experience.
Occupational Programmes
Industry-aligned qualifications blending theory, practical training and workplace exposure, offered across campuses including Belhar, Bellville and Wingfield.
Artisan Development & Trade Training
Competency-Based Modular Training (CBMT) and Trade Testing leading to a Trade Competency Certificate, programme-dependent.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Certified copy of your latest school report or results
- Certified proof of residence address
- For international applicants: certified passport, study permit or visa, and a SAQA-evaluated certificate of foreign qualification
- Completion of the compulsory career guidance assessment
Costs
Application fees
Where you could study
Fields of study at a glance
Field
Engineering Studies
Mechanical, electrical and civil-related NCV and NATED programmes, including part-time N1–N3 courses at the Wingfield Campus.
Field
Business Studies
Marketing Management, Human Resource Management and other business-focused NCV and NATED programmes.
Field
Tourism & Hospitality
NC(V) Tourism Levels 2–4 and a National Diploma pathway through N4–N6, alongside hospitality-focused occupational programmes.
Field
Clothing Production
A post-Grade 12 course offered at the Protea Campus, alongside a wide range of NC(V) programmes.
Seven campuses, one northern link
Where Northlink is based
Bellville Campus
Sackson Street, Bellville South — one of Northlink's core sites.
Protea Campus
Next to Bellville Civic Centre, alongside Northlink's Central Office; home to many NC(V) courses and Clothing Production.
Belhar Campus
Proton Street, Belhar — acquired by Northlink in 2005.
Goodwood Campus
Corner of Dirkie Uys and Merriman Streets, Goodwood.
Parow Campus
Connaught Road, Parow Valley.
Tygerberg Campus
Rothschild Boulevard, Panorama — known for Performing Arts, Sport and its Encore Restaurant.
Wingfield Campus
Jakes Gerwel Drive, Goodwood — engineering-focused, including part-time studies.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When do Northlink 2027 applications open and close?
Northlink doesn't run one single window. Semester 1 / Trimester 1 applications have recently opened around June and stayed open through to 30 November, though in the 2026 cycle the college opened on 15 August with an original close of 30 September later extended, campus-by-campus, to 30 October. Additional trimester 2 and 3 windows open later in the year for specific programmes. Confirm the exact date for your programme with Northlink directly.
Is there an application fee?
No general application fee is charged to South African applicants. International applicants pay their full course fee upon registration, in addition to submitting a certified passport, study permit or visa, and a SAQA-evaluated qualification certificate.
What qualifications does Northlink offer?
NCV, NATED (Report 191), QCTO-accredited Occupational Programmes, Short Skills Programmes, and Artisan Development and Trade Testing, across more than 70 courses.
Where is Northlink located?
Across seven campuses in Cape Town's northern suburbs: Belhar, Bellville, Goodwood, Parow, Protea, Tygerberg and Wingfield.
Linked Through Excellence starts with applying.
Get your documents certified and ready, complete the career guidance assessment, and submit your free Northlink TVET College application before your programme's window closes.
Apply to Northlink Now →