DUT: Steve Biko Campus

When someone decides to study beyond school, what separates a good tertiary institution from one that leaves graduates underemployed or undertrained? Start with relevance: does the campus offer qualifications that employers in South Africa's actual economy actually hire for? Look at whether there's real engagement between industry and the institution—not theoretical partnerships, but actual collaboration on curricula, infrastructure that's current (not outdated lab equipment), and lecturers who know what the field looks like right now. Infrastructure and access matter too: can you actually get to campus, are the facilities maintained, is there reliable electricity and connectivity? Then consider whether the institution has genuinely invested in student support—academic remediation for gaps from school, career guidance, placement services. These factors are what determine whether a qualification becomes a launchpad or feels like wasted time and money.