The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has unveiled the academic calendar for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges for 2025.
South Africa is home to 50 TVET colleges spread across more than 250 campuses, offering training in fields such as engineering, agriculture, media, hospitality, business, utilities, and tourism. These institutions serve as crucial hubs for equipping students with practical skills for the workforce.
Key Details of the 2025 Calendar
The 2025 TVET academic calendar outlines term start and end dates, public holidays, and special TVET holidays. It also provides essential timelines for exams, ensuring students and staff can plan their academic year with clarity and precision.
Building South Africa’s Skilled Workforce
TVET colleges are at the forefront of developing South Africa's future artisans and technicians. The hands-on training offered equips graduates with the expertise required to thrive in various technical and vocational fields. These skills open doors to employment opportunities, diverse career paths, and entrepreneurial ventures.
The release of the 2025 calendar ensures students and educators are well-prepared to continue shaping South Africa’s skilled labour force.
Programme |
Term/Semester/Trimester |
Start Date |
End Date |
Additional Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
NC(V) Programmes |
Term 1 |
6 January 2025 |
28 March 2025 |
Staff start on 6 January; classes begin on 13 January; exams end 28 March; colleges close 28 March. |
Term 2 |
7 April 2025 |
20 June 2025 |
Classes and exams conclude on the same day. |
|
Term 3 |
15 July 2025 |
30 September 2025 |
Includes special days for internal exams. |
|
Term 4 |
6 October 2025 |
7 November 2025 |
Life Skills & Computer Literacy (P2) exams: 3–7 November; final exams: 10 November–11 December. |
|
11 December 2025 |
Colleges close on 11 December; total: 182 lecturing days and 210 staff service days. |
|||
NATED/Report 191 Programmes |
Semester 1, Term 1 |
6 January 2025 |
28 March 2025 |
|
Semester 1, Term 2 |
7 April 2025 |
20 June 2025 |
||
Semester 2, Term 3 |
15 July 2025 |
30 September 2025 |
||
Semester 2, Term 4 |
6 October 2025 |
11 December 2025 |
Total: 155 lecturing days and 210 staff service days. |
|
Report 191 Natural Science |
Trimester 1 |
6 January 2025 |
15 April 2025 |
|
Trimester 2 |
12 May 2025 |
19 August 2025 |
||
Trimester 3 |
8 September 2025 |
11 December 2025 |
Total: 141 lecturing days and 210 staff service days. |
Public And College Holidays
- 01 January - New Year’s Day
- 21 March - Human Rights Day
- 18 April - Good Friday
- 21 April - Family Day
- 27 April - Freedom Day
- 28 April - Freedom Day (Observed)
- 29 April - Special College Holiday
- 30 April - Special College Holiday
- 01 May - Workers’ Day
- 02 May - Special College Holiday
- 16 June - Youth Day
- 09 August - National Women’s Day
- 24 September - Heritage Day
- 16 December - Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December - Christmas Day
- 26 December - Day of Goodwill
Funding is available for TVET colleges students. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has application dates for TVET College Semester and Trimester programmes.