University in South Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
University profile
SANTS Private Higher Education Institution is a South African distance-education provider that specialises in initial teacher education and early childhood development. Its head office is on the first floor of Block C, Menlyn Corporate Park, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria. Study is done 100% by distance learning with online support through the MySANTS portal, so students can learn from anywhere in the country.
Four qualifications make up the catalogue: the Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (NQF 5, 132 credits, one year minimum), the Diploma in Grade R Teaching (NQF 6, 360 credits, three years minimum), the Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching for Grade R to 3 (NQF 7, 480 credits, four years minimum) and the Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching for Grades 4 to 6 (NQF 7, 480 credits, four years minimum). Credits from the Diploma in Grade R Teaching can be carried towards the Foundation Phase degree, so a completed diploma can shorten the degree to a minimum of three years.
The mission is to provide quality, practice-driven distance teacher education and development, with programmes focused on rural and marginalised contexts and offered in multiple languages. Programmes aim to make graduates resourceful, adaptable, knowledgeable and reflective teachers, grounded in educational theory, subject knowledge, child development from birth and the South African school context. Work-integrated learning includes practice teaching in which assessors visit students in their schools.
SANTS is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (registration no. 2012/HE07/003) until 31 December 2028. Each programme carries its own Council on Higher Education accreditation number and is registered with SAQA.
Tuition can be paid in two equal semester instalments (due 31 March and 31 August) or in ten equal monthly instalments. In the published example, an annual registration fee of R2 500 is paid in December or June depending on the start date, followed by two instalments of R9 768 or ten instalments of R1 954. Students who need other arrangements must contact SANTS before the semester starts.
SANTS awards five bursaries and five tablets by random draw among new applicants and existing students in any of its four programmes. A bursary covers study material, assignments, tuition, examinations and support for one academic semester. New applicants must have applied, paid the application fee, met the entry requirements and completed the conditional-approval steps (language and material delivery choices and registration-fee payment) by 31 October 2026; existing students must have their accounts paid in full by that date. Winners are announced on 15 January 2027. Bursaries cannot be deferred or transferred, do not apply to students with an official sponsor or to SANTS employees, and are forfeited if studies are cancelled or suspended. Terms: bursary terms and conditions.
SANTS works with Fundi, Student Hero (a comparison platform for study-finance providers), Capitec Smart Funder, Nedbank Smart Funder and Shop2Shop (cash payment by family from anywhere in South Africa). Private and government bursaries are applied for by the student, and SANTS supplies the documents needed to support an application. Details: Ways to fund your studies.
Browse the scholarships listed for SANTS Private Higher Education Institution (Pty) Ltd and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for SANTS Private Higher Education Institution (Pty) Ltd →Applicants may qualify with any one of the following: a National Senior Certificate with admission to bachelor degree study, with 50% for Home Language and 40% for English First Additional Language; a completed Senior Certificate with full university exemption (or with endorsement before 2008) with the same language marks; or an NCV Level 4 with 70% or above for Home Language and First Additional Language and 60% or above for four vocational subjects. A National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE) with specialisation in the relevant phase (Foundation Phase for the Foundation Phase degree, Intermediate Phase for the Intermediate Phase degree) at an overall 65% is also accepted. For the Foundation Phase degree a completed Diploma in Grade R Teaching (NQF 6, minimum 360 credits) is recognised through credit accumulation and transfer, allowing the degree to be completed in a minimum of three years from second year, semester one; up to 134 credits can be recognised.
A National Senior Certificate that meets the minimum requirements for diploma study, or a completed Senior Certificate from before 2008; or an NCV with at least 50% in three fundamental subjects including English and at least 60% in four vocational subjects from NC(V) Level 4. An Early Childhood Development certificate at NQF Level 4 or 5, or a Diploma in ECD, may also be presented.
A National Senior Certificate, Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate for Adults, an NCV Level 4 or an appropriate Level 4 Certificate in ECD, or Recognition of Prior Learning proving equivalence. All registering students must submit a South African Police Service clearance certificate showing clearance under the Children's Act 38 of 2005 to work with babies, toddlers and young children.
For the degrees, RPL proving equivalence to the routes above, linked to historical or conditional admission through mature-age exemption, is open to applicants who hold an NSC, Senior Certificate, NCV or NPDE but fall short on subject minimums or specific subjects.
Apply online on the MySANTS portal in four steps: enter personal details, select the programme, upload certified copies of ID, highest qualification and any supporting documents, then pay the R250 non-refundable application fee and upload proof of payment. A letter of admission is sent by email once all steps are complete.
January intake: applications close on 31 October of the previous year. July intake: applications close on 31 May of the current year.
The range depends on language choice, and fees are charged per module. A registration fee is paid on first enrolment and a re-registration fee each following year, and both are deducted from the annual tuition fee. Fees may change.
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