Potchefstroom Academy (Pty) Ltd (Potchefstroom Akademie (Edms) Bpk) is a private higher education institution located at 59 Dr James Moroka Avenue, Potchefstroom, North West. It was established in 1981 by Tina Scholtz and has operated for over four decades as a vocational training provider. In 2003 the institution expanded through the acquisition of SAAHST (South African Academy for Hairdressing, Skincare and Technology), which is provisionally registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET registration number FE07/025) and is also an accredited National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) Trade Test Centre. Potchefstroom Academy (Pty) Ltd itself is registered with DHET as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, with Registration Certificate Number 2001/HE07/001. The institution states that its qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The academy offers full-time, part-time/distance and short-course training in vocational and creative fields such as photography, beauty therapy/somatology, interior design, business management and hairdressing, aimed at school leavers, career changers and industry upskilling.
Qualifications & Programmes
- Higher Certificate in Photography (NQF Level 5, 1 year, full-time) followed by Advanced Certificate in Photography (NQF Level 6, 1 year, full-time) — 2-year full-time pathway
- Higher Certificate in Beauty Therapy (NQF Level 5, 1 year, full-time)
- Diploma in Somatology (NQF Level 6, 3 years, full-time)
- Occupational Certificate in Project Management (NQF Level 5, 2 years, part-time/correspondence)
- Therapeutic Massage (full-time programme)
- Therapeutic Aromatherapy (full-time programme)
- Therapeutic Reflexology (full-time programme)
- Interior Design and Decorating (full-time and part-time/distance options)
- Business Management (full-time programme)
- Hairdressing (offered via SAAHST)