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Akademia wants to become a private university

Aerial view of a new private Akademia university campus under construction in Pretoria East, South Africa

Key takeaway: Private universities in South Africa are now allowed by law, but no private college can apply yet. Akademia, a private Afrikaans higher education institution, says it plans to apply as soon as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) opens the process.

What happened

Akademia told Daily Investor that it plans to apply for university status, the outlet reported on 25 October 2026. Akademia's registrar, Liana van Rooy, said becoming an official university would boost its reputation as an academic institution.

Akademia teaches in Afrikaans. Its website says it is registered with DHET as a higher education institution (registration number 2011/HE08/005).

Daily Investor also reported that:

  • Akademia has about 4,500 students.
  • It is building a new campus in Pretoria East for 3,500 students, expected to open in 2028.
  • Eduvos and Advtech's tertiary brands (Rosebank International and Emeris) are also preparing to apply.

Why this is possible now

On 17 October 2025, government published the Policy for the Recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types in the Government Gazette.

It sets out three types of higher education institution, for public and private institutions alike:

  1. Higher education college: mostly undergraduate teaching.
  2. University college: a smaller scope, which can grow into a university over time.
  3. University: undergraduate and postgraduate study up to doctorates, plus research and community engagement.

Until this policy, private institutions in South Africa could not legally use the title "university".

Why nobody can apply yet

According to Daily Investor, DHET still has to publish implementation guidelines. These guidelines, still being drafted, will set out the steps, dates and requirements. Applications open only after that. We could find no announced date as of 27 October 2026.

Who this affects

  • Students thinking about studying at a private college.
  • Parents comparing private and public options.

Nothing changes for current students right now. Your qualification is only as good as the institution's registration and the programme's accreditation, whatever the institution calls itself.

What to do before you choose a private institution

  1. Check DHET registration. Search the DHET register of private higher education institutions.
  2. Check the programme. It must be accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
  3. Plan your funding. NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) may only fund students at public institutions, such as public universities and TVET colleges, according to the Minister of Higher Education. It cannot fund private institutions. See ways to fund your studies.

⚠️ Be careful of any college calling itself a "university" without proof. A new title from this policy will come from DHET, not from an advert.

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Sources

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