Life College of Learning has an educational legacy that spans more than two decades. It’s one of the top three private nursing institutions in South Africa, and students here receive an accredited nursing qualification that is recognised worldwide. Here’s what you need to know about the courses on offer.

Life College of Learning has an educational legacy that spans more than two decades. It’s one of the top three private nursing institutions in South Africa, and students here receive an accredited nursing qualification that is recognised worldwide. Here’s what you need to know about the courses on offer.

There are seven Life College of Learning facilities in South Africa:

• Eastern Cape: East London and Port Elizabeth
• Gauteng: Pretoria, Roodepoort and Springs
• KwaZulu-Natal: Durban
• Western Cape: Cape Town and a classroom in Mossel Bay on the West Coast

The programmes include formal basic and post-basic programmes in nursing, midwifery, and a non-nursing programme – operating department assistance. A variety of short learning programmes are facilitated to develop specialised nursing skills. The college also facilitates a formal CPD programme for every category of nurses. In 2015, the college embarked on registering its own Research Ethics Committee with the National Department of Health and was fully accredited in 2018.

The Life College of Learning philosophy

The College has developed its own philosophy and worldview of the education and training of healthcare professionals. The foundation of the curriculum for each programme is based on the following principles:

• Learning is interactive and dynamic
• It builds on prior knowledge
• Students are active participants, not passive recipients
• Students are empowered to be critical thinkers
• Students are constructive participants in the communities in which they serve

Nursing qualifications have been restructured

The restructuring of higher education qualifications started in 1994 and has been steadily gaining momentum to ensure that qualifications are aligned with the revised 10-level National Qualification Framework (NQF) – the previous framework had nine levels.

Successful matriculants will begin their nursing education at either certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree level. The new framework recognises prior learning in the case of nurses and midwives already in healthcare services, and allows for students to progress from one programme to another throughout their professional career.

The new framework promotes lifelong learning, as nurses and midwives can study until doctoral level in both professional and research spheres.

Courses being phased out and the new courses for 2020

Legacy programmes as they were formally known started to phase out in 2015: 

• Certificate leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary (NQF 3). Phased out.
• Certificate leading to enrolment as a Nurse (NQF 4). Phased out.
• Bridging programme leading the registration as a Registered Nurse (NQF 5). Last intake June 2019.
• Diploma Medical and Surgical Nursing Science (Post Basic Programmes NQF 6). Last intake November 2019.

New nursing qualifications commencing in 2020:

• Higher Certificate: Auxiliary Nurse (NQF 5)
• Diploma in General Nursing (NQF 6)
• Advanced Diploma in Midwifery (NQF 7)
• Post Graduate Diploma (NQF 8)

Accreditation received from SANC and new programmes will commence in 2020 at:

• East London Learning Centre
• Port Elizabeth Learning Centre

Nursing for the future

The healthcare landscape is constantly changing and with nurses on the frontline, it’s imperative that the learning environment in which they are trained ensures that this healthcare resource is responsive, competent and committed. In addition, the new courses are designed to educate and train our nurses to align with service-delivery needs in our country. 

Life College of Learning is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution and accredited as a private higher education institution by the Council on Higher Education. Call the Life Healthcare Head Office on 011 219 9000.

Please note: Life College of Learning is awaiting response on accreditation from the SA Nursing Council (SANC) to teach programmes at the College Learning Centres not listed above before we can accept applications from prospective students. In the meantime, we suggest that you:

• Contact one of our Learning Centres and request they add your details to their database so they can inform you of our application and selection processes as soon as we receive accreditation (contact details can be found on the Life College of Learning map);
• Visit the SANC website to determine the required pre-requisites of all current SANC-accredited courses.

The information is shared on condition that readers will make their own determination, including seeking advice from a healthcare professional. E&OE. Life Healthcare Group Ltd does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by the reader as a result of the information provided.