Potchefstroom Academy and SAAHST
Alternatives to university education provide viable income opportunities
Thinking of your tertiary education and where to study? Look no further than Potchefstroom Academy to fulfil your needs as a student. Potchefstroom Academy and SAAHST (South African Academy for Hair and Skincare Technology) is a private tertiary institution set in the heart of Potchefstroom, a vibrant student town in the North West province. The academy offers students an excellent dual-medium education, classes presented by highly skilled lecturers, a vibrant student life and a friendly environment to study in.
Studying at a private institution allows students the benefit of studying in smaller groups that provide the opportunity to have one-on-one interaction with lecturers. We offer work-integrated learning across all qualifications. This provides students with the career skills and business mindset to enjoy success in their future by either working for an employer or taking on the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur in their own right.
Our academy offers full-time qualifications in photography, interior design, somatology, therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, hairdressing and cosmetology. All qualifications are registered on the National Qualification Framework (NQF) at the South African Qualifications Authority.
Students choosing to study beauty therapy, therapeutic qualifications or hairdressing have the opportunity to poten- tially work on luxury cruise liners worldwide. Students gain great benefit from such international exposure, resulting in better work placements in the future, and the salaries are usually excellent.
Overview of job opportunities with relevant qualification:
Somatology:
Advanced Diploma in Somatology (NQF level six) — three years full time
Diploma in Health and Skincare (NQF level five) — two years full time
Career opportunities: beauty clinics, slimming clinics, electrolysis clinics, gymnasiums, pharmacies, hotels and lodges, cosmetic sales, product house marketing and product development, magazines and newspapers, spa therapy and management, wellness centres, luxury passenger cruise liners.
Photography:
Higher Certificate in Photography (NQF Level five) — one year full time
Advanced Certificate in Photography (NQF Level six) — one year full time.
Career opportunities: commercial, newspaper and magazine photographers, photo editing and retouching, picture editor, studio photographer, professional photographic assistants, photographic retail representatives or photographic laboratory assistants and managers.
Interior Design:
Higher Diploma in Interior Decorating and Design (NQF level seven) — three years full time
Diploma in Interior Decorating and Design (NQF level six) — two years full time
Career opportunities: interior designers, interior design as part of an architectural practice, interior decorating. furniture design, residential interior design, retail design, corporate design and office layout, hotel, hospitality and restaurant design, kitchen layout and design, exhibition design, stage and event design. Other possibilities: soft furnishing and upholstery, showroom assistant or manager, buyer for décor chains, furniture shops, designer items, architectural or interior drafting.
Therapeutic Massage: Diploma in Therapeutic Massage (NQF level five) — two years full time
Career opportunities: own business or practice, hospitals, medical clinics, stress clinics, semimedical services at sport clubs and retirement villages.
Therapeutic Reflexology: Diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology (NQF level five) — two years full time
Career opportunities: own business or practice, hospitals, medical clinics, stress clinics, semimedical services at sport clubs and retirement villages.
Aromatherapy: Diploma in Therapeutic Aromatherapy (NQF level five) — two years full time
Career opportunities: own business or practice, hospitals, medical clinics, stress clinics, semimedical services at sport clubs and retirement villages.
SAAHST Courses:
Cosmetology: Certificate in Cosmetology (NQF level four) — two years full time.
Career opportunities: cosmetic consultant, assistant in beauty salons, cosmetic counter assistant, assistant in hair salons, chain stores, nail technician, provide services at airlines by pampering passengers, provide services at sports clubs or leisure centres, specialise in a particular field e.g. make-up or nail artistry, move into other related areas such as marketing, sales and retailing.
Hairdressing: National Certificate in Hairdressing (levels two, three and four) — two years full time
Career opportunities: hair salons, the film, TV and theatre industry, holiday resorts, health spas, luxury cruise liners and fashion shows.
In addition to our full-time courses we offer a full range of short courses across massage, beauty treatments, nail technology, photography and make-up artistry, which allow students the opportunity to gain additional skills, work opportunities and extended income once they complete their studies.