The University of South Africa — the largest open distance learning institution on the continent — enrolls nearly a third of all South African university students. If you are planning to study in 2027, the application window is expected to open in August 2026 and close in October 2026. This guide covers every step of the online process, the exact documents you need, minimum entry requirements per qualification level, and the closing dates you cannot afford to miss.
UNISA is a public university offering degrees, diplomas, certificates, and short courses entirely via Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL). There are no on-campus lectures — all tuition, study material, and assessments are delivered online or by post. Students study at their own pace while working, caring for family, or living anywhere in South Africa or abroad.
2027 Application Closing Dates
Official 2027 application dates have not yet been published by UNISA — they are announced mid-year on the official website. Based on the confirmed 2026 cycle and the projected 2027 pattern reported by multiple admissions sources, applicants should plan around the following expected timeline. Always confirm exact dates at www.unisa.ac.za before applying.
| Qualification Level | Expected Open Date | Expected Closing Date | Late Re-opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Degrees, Diplomas, Higher Certificates) | 17 August 2026 | 9 October 2026 | Nov – Dec 2026 (limited qualifications only) |
| Honours Degrees & Postgraduate Diplomas | 17 August 2026 | 9 October 2026 | Nov – Dec 2026 (limited qualifications only) |
| Master’s & Doctoral Degrees | 16 September 2026 | 11 November 2026 | Some exceptions apply |
| Semester 2 (Mid-year Intake — selected qualifications) | ~April 2027 | ~May 2027 | Window is approximately 3 weeks only |
| NSFAS Applications (for UNISA students) | September 2026 | January 2027 | Apply at nsfas.org.za |
UNISA does not accept late applications. Once the closing date passes, your only option is to wait for a possible late re-opening window (which covers a limited selection of qualifications) or reapply in the next cycle. High-demand programmes in Nursing and Engineering often fill up well before the main closing date.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Requirements differ by qualification level and, in many cases, by individual programme. The table below outlines general minimum entry points — always verify the exact criteria for your chosen course on the UNISA qualifications finder at www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications.
| Qualification | NQF Level | Minimum School Qualification | Key Subject Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Certificate | NQF 5 | NSC or Senior Certificate | Min. 30% in Language of Learning & Teaching; ~40% in Maths or Maths Literacy |
| Diploma | NQF 6 | NSC with diploma endorsement | Programme-specific subject passes; language minimum applies |
| Bachelor’s Degree | NQF 7 | NSC with bachelor’s endorsement | Min. 30% in Language; programme-specific subjects (e.g. BSc Computing: 50% English + 50% Maths) |
| Honours Degree / Postgrad Diploma | NQF 8 | Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent | Minimum average in relevant undergraduate modules; programme dependent |
| Master’s Degree | NQF 9 | Honours degree or equivalent at NQF 8 | Research proposal may be required; supervisor availability applies |
| Doctoral Degree | NQF 10 | Master’s degree | Approved research proposal; supervisor must be confirmed before admission |
If you completed a National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4, you may qualify for undergraduate study. UNISA requires a pass in English at a minimum of 50%, three fundamental subjects at 40%, and four vocational subjects at 50%. Check the equivalency tables on the UNISA website to confirm your specific subjects qualify for your chosen programme.
Applicants who are 23 years or older without a formal matric certificate may apply through UNISA’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway, based on relevant work experience and a portfolio of evidence. Alternatively, you can first enrol in a Higher Certificate programme, complete it, and use it as a pathway into a degree. RPL applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Documents Required for Your Application
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step
All applications are submitted online through the UNISA application portal at www.unisa.ac.za/apply. The university also offers a UNISA Student App available for Android and iOS as an alternative submission channel. Cash payments at UNISA offices are not accepted — all fees must be paid electronically.
Before anything else, go to www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications and use the Qualification Finder to confirm that you meet the specific admission requirements for your chosen programme. UNISA allows you to apply for up to three qualifications simultaneously — it is advisable to include a lower-level backup qualification (e.g. a Higher Certificate in the same college as your degree) in case space in your first choice is unavailable.
First-time applicants must register at www.unisa.ac.za/apply to create a student account and receive a temporary student number. This account is your gateway for submitting your application, uploading documents, paying the application fee, and tracking your outcome. Keep your login credentials safe — you will need them throughout the entire process.
Log into the application portal and complete all sections of the form carefully. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID. Select your preferred qualification(s) and ensure your ID number appears on all relevant fields. Note that you cannot save and return later — complete the session in one sitting. Only submit one application per cycle.
Upload certified, clear scans of all required documents as PDF files, each under 2MB. Blurry or illegible uploads are among the most common reasons for application rejection. Certification must be done at a SAPS police station or Post Office, and must not be older than three months at the time of submission. Do not send originals — keep those safe at home.
Pay the application fee immediately after submitting your form — your application will not be processed until payment is confirmed. For the 2026 cycle the fee was R150 for international students and approximately R135–R150 for local applicants; confirm the exact 2027 fee on the UNISA website when applications open. Payment is accepted via the MyUNISA online platform, EFT, credit card, or by depositing into the university’s FNB or ABSA bank account using your student number and application reference number. Save your proof of payment.
After submission, track your application through the online status portal using your student number and password. Statuses you may see include: Under Review, Awaiting Decision, Further Information Required, Accepted, or Unsuccessful. Processing can take several weeks during peak periods — be patient but check regularly.
If successful, UNISA will notify you by email or SMS. You typically have 10 days to log in and click “Accept Offer.” Missing this window means forfeiting your place — it cannot be reclaimed. Once you accept, UNISA will send registration instructions. New students are also given a free myLife email address, which you must activate as soon as registration is finalised, as all official university communication goes through this account.
Qualifications Available at UNISA
UNISA offers qualifications across multiple colleges. Below are the main colleges and the types of programmes available. Specific qualifications available for 2027 will be confirmed on the UNISA website when applications open in mid-2026.
Not all qualifications are available in the mid-year (Semester 2) intake. Year-long modules — such as the BEd (Teaching) and LLB (Law) — run from January to November and cannot be joined halfway through. If you want to study Teaching or Law and missed the January intake, you will need to wait for the 2028 Semester 1 cycle. BCom, BA General, and most Diplomas typically offer semester modules and can be started in July.
UNISA vs. Traditional Universities: Key Differences
| Feature | UNISA (ODeL) | Traditional Contact University |
|---|---|---|
| Study Mode | Fully distance — online and postal | On-campus lectures required |
| Application Fee | R135–R150 (non-refundable) | Varies — some universities apply free |
| Qualification Choices | Up to 3 qualifications per application | Typically 1 per university |
| Mid-year Entry | Available for selected programmes | Rare — most are January only |
| Work While Studying | Yes — flexible schedule | Difficult due to class timetables |
| NSFAS Funding | Yes — qualifying students eligible | Yes — qualifying students eligible |
Qualifying South African students may apply for NSFAS funding to cover tuition and related costs. For the 2027 intake, NSFAS applications are expected to open in September 2026 and close in January 2027. Apply separately at www.nsfas.org.za. Be aware that NSFAS funding for a May application may only be finalised in August — if this applies to you, budget to pay the Minimum Initial Payment (registration fee) yourself upfront while your funding is processed.
For the 2027 academic year, UNISA applications are expected to open on 17 August 2026 and close on 9 October 2026 for undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate diploma applicants. Master’s and doctoral applications are expected to run from 16 September to 11 November 2026. The non-refundable application fee is approximately R135–R150.
Start preparing now: use the UNISA Qualification Finder to confirm your entry requirements, get your documents certified, and have your scanned PDFs ready before the application portal opens. Once you receive an offer, you have only 10 days to accept it — act immediately. Always verify dates, fees, and programme availability directly at www.unisa.ac.za as official 2027 announcements are published.
