Teacher Education Institutions in Cape Town: Universities, Colleges, and Schools

Where to Qualify as a Teacher in Cape Town

To teach in South African schools, you need a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) after a bachelor's degree, registered with SACE (South African Council for Educators).

🏛️ Public Universities (BEd & PGCE)

• University of Cape Town (UCT) — BEd (Foundation/Intermediate/Senior/FET), PGCE. Top-ranked education faculty.
• Stellenbosch University — BEd, PGCE (Afrikaans/English). Strong practicum schools.
• University of the Western Cape (UWC) — BEd, PGCE. Focus on inclusive education, multilingualism.
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) — BEd (FET: Tech, Business, Arts), PGCE. Applied pedagogy.

🏫 Private Higher Education (Accredited by CHE/SAQA)

• IIE (Varsity College, Vega) Cape Town — BEd Foundation/Intermediate Phase, PGCE.
• Cornerstone Institute — BEd, PGCE. Social justice orientation.
• Embury Institute for Higher Education (now STADIO) — BEd distance/online + Cape Town support center.
• Lyceum College — BEd distance.

🏫 Schools That Host Teaching Practice (Not Qualification Providers)

The listed schools (Bishops, Rustenburg, Herschel, SACS, Reddam, Springfield, Herzlia, Grove, Camps Bay, Waldorf, etc.) are placement schools for practicums, not institutions where you earn a teaching degree.

⚠️ Critical Check

• Verify program is CHE-accredited and SACE-recognized before enrolling.
• PGCE requires a relevant bachelor's degree (e.g., BSc for Math/Science, BA for Languages/Humanities).
• Funza Lushaka Bursary available for BEd/PGCE in priority subjects.