Applying to the University of South Africa(UNISA Applications)

Applying to the University of South Africa (UNISA) is done entirely online and involves several crucial steps, especially since it’s an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) institution. The application process is usually open for a limited window each year.

This guide cover the general process across levels, focusing on online applications (the only method available no in person submissions at regional offices). All applications are submitted via UNISA’s online portal, and admission is not guaranteed it depends on meeting requirements and space availability.

Application Deadlines

Apply for admission to undergraduate qualifications for the 2026 academic year between 03 November and 19 December 2025.

Check Your Eligibility

Before applying, you must confirm these things:

Statutory Requirements: Do you have the necessary school or tertiary qualifications (e.g., National Senior Certificate or /Matric, Diploma, Degree)?
Minimum APS Score: Calculate your Admission Point Score (APS) and check that it meets the minimum score required for your chosen qualification.
A valid e-mail address and cellphone number, and I accept that Unisa will communicate with me during the application process using this e-mail address and cellphone number.

Prepare Your Documents

You will need to scan and upload certified copies of the following documents during the online application process. All documents must be clear, certified copies, and submitted as individual files.

Document	Detail
Identification	RSA ID Document (RSA students) or Passport (International students).
School Qualifications	Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate (Matric).
Tertiary Qualifications	Official Academic Record(s) (if you studied at another university/college). Internet copies are NOT accepted.
Additional Documents	Some qualifications (e.g., Nursing, Education) require additional forms or documents.

Document Formatting Rules:

Files must be black and white only.
Files may not be larger than 2MB (2048KB) each.
Acceptable file types: PDF, DOC (Word), or TIF.

Step-by-Step Application Process

All steps are online via www.unisa.ac.za/apply. You can apply for up to three qualifications (ranked by preference) for undergrad or/honours, but only one for master’s/doctoral. Expect outcomes via email (check myLife account for returning students).

Choose Your Qualification and Check Eligibility

Visit www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications to search programs. Use the career counseling tool if unsure. Confirm you meet APS or/admission requirements (e.g., via APS calculator).

Start Your Online Application

Go to the application portal and click “Apply Now.” Select your level (e.g., undergraduate).
If new, apply for a student number first (8-digit code sent via email/SMS).
Enter personal details (name, ID, contact), academic history, and qualification choices.

Upload Required Documents

All applicants starting a new qualification must upload all the required documents, which generally consists of the following:

Copy of your school qualifications (eg Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate)
Copy of your official tertiary academic record(s) (if applicable) (internet copies will not be accepted)
Copy of your ID document (RSA students) or ID/passport (international students)
Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree (if applicable)
Sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans

Follow the instructions carefully when completing the online application process. Only upload the required documents as individual files and not a complete set of documents as one file. Please ensure that the documents and images you upload are clear.

Files may not be larger than 2MB (2048KB) each.
Only black and white documents may be submitted.
Only the following file types are allowed: PDF (Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format file), DOC (Word) or TIF (image file).

Pay the Application Fee and Submit

Fee: R150 (non-refundable) for most online apps; pay via card, EFT, or bank deposit (use student number + reference).
For business school (SBL): R110 online. Submit after payment; get reference number.
Send email proof to [email protected] if needed.
Visit www.unisa.ac.za/feepayment for banking details and payment information.
This fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa, do not qualify for admission to Unisa or cannot be offered a space due to limited spaces available.
Unisa does not provide cashier services and the payment should be made via bank deposit or online channels.
The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period.
Any application submitted without an application fee paid on time will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.

Track Your Application and Next Steps

You can check the progress of your application online using the dedicated Track Application Status tool on the UNISA website, using the student number you received.

Outcome: UNISA will communicate the outcome (accepted, conditionally accepted, or declined) via email and SMS.
Acceptance: If accepted, you must formally accept the offer within the prescribed period to secure your space before proceeding to formal registration.

The application process

You may apply for a maximum of three qualifications, ranked in order of preference (although you may only register for one should all three of your qualifications be successful).
Unisa will inform you of the outcome of your application. If successful, Unisa will indicate for which qualification you have been accepted and will offer you a space for the period for which you have applied (eg semester 1, should there be space available).
You must accept or decline Unisa’s offer within the prescribed period of time. If you miss this deadline, Unisa will withdraw the offer and give your space to another applicant.
Should you not accept the offer within the prescribed period of time (10 working days), your offer will be retracted and you will forfeit your space.
First-time applicants to Unisa will be required to complete the First-Year Experience MOOC (massive open online course) before being able to accept Unisa’s offer.
You may only accept one offer. This means that when you accept an offer for one qualification (irrespective of whether it is your first, second or third qualification of choice), the other offers will automatically fall away.
If you accept Unisa’s offer, you must register for the period for which you have been granted admission. Should you not register for the relevant semester of study, you will need to re-apply for admission during the next application period.

Application outcomes

Unisa will assess your application, which includes the points score system. You may be offered a space for semester 1 of the 2026 academic year based on the following: whether you meet the academic admission requirements for your qualification of choice, your minimum academic points score (APS) and the number of spaces available for the qualification for which you have applied.

Please note:

Applicants who do not qualify for admission will get feedback as soon as their applications are processed.
Based on Unisa’s application and selection process outlined above, applicants may not automatically be accepted to study through Unisa in semester 1 of the 2026 academic year.
Spaces for some qualifications are limited and offers will only be made once all the applications received have been processed. In such cases, your application will be processed and you will be informed that your application for your qualification of choice is subject to enrolment management.
Applicants who qualify for admission will only receive final feedback as to whether or not Unisa will offer them a space for semester 1 of the 2026 academic year once all applications received by the closing date have been processed.