Degrees at Government TEVET Institutions
Traditionally there had been clear-cut differences in terms of the levels of training offered at the different kinds of tertiary learning institutions in Zambia. TEVET institutions offered trades and craft certificates, colleges offered certificates and diplomas, while universities offered mainly degrees and master’s degrees. In the recent past, however, some TEVET institutions and colleges have been upgraded to allow them to offer certain diplomas, degrees and, in some cases, even master’s degrees.
This blog is going to highlight some of the degree programs that are now being offered at government TEVET institutions. This is important because government TEVET institutions have more favourable entry requirements, are generally more affordable and students here can apply for GRZ bursaries either under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) or TEVETA. This makes TEVET institutions a suitable alternative for you if you want to study for a degree but cannot enrol at a university for various reasons.
A question you may have at this point is ‘what is TEVETA and what are TEVET institutions?’. Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) is a body under the ministry of technology and science that regulates, monitors and coordinates technical education, vocational and entrepreneurship training in Zambia. Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) Institutions are simply tertiary schools that are accredited to TEVETA. Many of these schools are skills and trades training institutes but among them are some colleges and institutes of applied sciences, technology, engineering and business. Unlike other tertiary schools which are under the ministry of education, TEVET institutions are under the ministry of technology and science.
The government TEVET institutions offering degree programs that we will look at in this blog are Evelyn Hone College, Kabwe Institute of Technology (KIT), and Technical & Vocational Teachers College (TVTC). You can find a full list of TEVET institutions on the TEVETA website.
At Evelyn Hone College some of the degree programs offered on full-time are; Industrial Engineering, Purchasing & Supply, Music, Fine Arts, and Fine Arts with education. The other degree programs at that institution are currently only being offered on part-time and distance learning and these are Computer Science, Management of Technology, Business Management, Office Management, Business Administration & Entrepreneurship, and Human Resource Management. These are 4-year programs but if you have a diploma or certificate in a relevant field, you may be exempted from some years making your duration of study shorter.
Technical and Vocational Teachers College (TVTC) mainly offers teacher and tutor training in the fields of science, technology and vocations. Hence, the degree programs offered here are all with education. They offer degrees in TEVET, Business Studies Teacher Education, Design & Technology Teacher Education, Sciences (Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry/Biology) with Education, English language with Education, Civic Education and Special Education. The programs are offered on full-time and distance learning. They are 4-year programs but if you have a diploma or certificate in a relevant field, you may be exempted from some years.
Kabwe Institute of Technology offers fewer degree programs compared to the other two institutions and these are Design & Technology with Education, ICT with Education, Commerce with Education and Business & Office Management.
The specific programs being offered on distance or fulltime at any school may change from year-to-year. So, it is better for you to check the institution’s website to find out what programs they have and the modes of study available for the academic year you want to enrol in.
To get accepted in a degree program at TEVET institutions, you only need to have grade 6 or better in five subjects at grade 12 for school leavers. The less stringent entry requirements are because of lower competition for places in these institutions and not because of lower standards. The qualifications obtained are accredited by TEVETA and are recognised by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) the same as in every other tertiary institution. In most cases, the degrees offered in these institutions are underwritten by universities such as CBU, UNZA or Mulungushi. Meaning that even though you studied for your degree at a TEVET institution, the degree certificate you will receive will be from a university.
Studying for your degree at a TEVET institution is usually cheaper than going to non-TEVET institutions. In addition, at a government TEVET institution you can apply for government bursary. Bursaries are a sort of grant and do not require to be paid back. For more information on this sponsorship, read our blog on GRZ TEVET bursaries