University of South Africa, Unisa Application for Admission 2023

The University of South Africa or Unisa is one of the top universities in South Africa. The 2023/2024 Unisa application is open for both local and international students. Everyone wanting to start a new qualification must apply for admission.

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Unisa’s application model is open and continuous, which means that applications remain open throughout the year.

Applications for admission to Unisa’s undergraduate qualifications (higher certificates, advanced certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas & degrees) is open.

How to apply

There are 7 steps you need to follow in order to apply at UNISA, including filling in the online UNISA application form:

1. Choose your qualification

Choose a UNISA qualification and make sure you meet the admission requirements. More on this below.

2. Fill in the UNISA application form

You must apply for admission to UNISA by filling and submitting the admission form. You can either fill in the form online or at a regional office.

To apply, visit unisa.ac.za/apply

3. Submit documents to UNISA

Have scanned copies of the following documents handy to submit online together with your application form:

• Certified copy of your school qualifications (eg Senior Certificate)
• Certified copy of your official tertiary academic record(s) (if applicable) (please note that internet copies will not be accepted)
• Certified copy of your ID document (RSA students) or passport (international students)
• Certified copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree (if applicable)
• Certified sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans
• DSAR04 form and supporting documents if you are applying for exemptions

4. Receive your student number

Once you have submitted your application form + supporting documents and UNISA processes your application you will receive a student number. Remember this student number as you’ll use it for my.unisa.ac.za and further communications with the university.

5. Pay the Application fee

You must thereafter pay a non-refundable application fee. You can pay online via credit card (response is quicker) or via bank deposit. More information on paying the application fee and international payments.

6. Wait for a response from UNISA

UNISA will get back to you to inform you about the outcome of your application. For inquiries regarding applications etc. please contact UNISA. UNISA Contact information is below.

Expect the processing of the application to take from three days to a few weeks.

7. Unisa Registration

Once your application is successful, it is now time to register your modules and start studying! Follow the UNISA registration guide in order to make sure you register correctly.

Please remember:

• First, you have to APPLY at UNISA
• Wait till you hear if you are accepted
• You must register in the following registration period – or you lose your place and have to apply again
• The UNISA Application process takes place more or less every 6 months.
• This happens around 6 months before you will be able to study. You need to fill in the UNISA application form and follow all the steps outlined in the post.
• First, check the next Unisa application dates.
• When you are ready to apply, go to this page: Apply for admission. select which type, of course, you want to do, and then select “start the process”.

Undergraduate qualification

Unisa will accept applications for admission to undergraduate qualifications (higher certificates, advanced certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, PGCE, BTech & degrees) for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Everyone who wants to start a new qualification must apply for admission. This includes first-time Unisa applicants, Unisa students changing to a new qualification, and applicants who previously applied for admission and were either not offered a space or were offered a space and did not register.

All applications for admission must be submitted online during the prescribed application period.

Applicants who plan to enroll for classes at a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college under the Unisa-TVET agreement may apply via the relevant TVET college or at Unisa via the online or self-help options.

How to apply for admission as an international student

All applications for admission must be submitted online during the prescribed application period.

I completed my schooling or undergraduate studies outside South Africa. Do I qualify?

For a list of acceptable school qualifications for admission per country, visit usaf site.

If you qualify for admission on the basis of a conditional exemption certificate, Unisa will facilitate this during the application processing stage.

A separate fee is applicable for the Matriculation Board to issue the conditional exemption certificate.

How to pay the application fee

The non-refundable online application fee is R115,00.

The preferred method of payment is a credit card via the Unisa website. Unisa web payment link (this is a secure site).

Alternatively, you can make payment by means of a SWIFT transfer (see bank account details below).

Note that any payments other than those made via the Unisa website might take a few days to reflect on the Unisa account. Send proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za

SWIFT transfers can be made if you already have a student number in respect of fees, for example, study fees, examination fees (supplementary, sick or special exam fees), exemption fees, and library charges provided that the details are filled in as follows:

• Bank: Standard Bank
• Beneficiary: Unisa student deposits
• Branch code: 010645
• Swift code: SBZAZAJJ
• Account number: 011554622
• Deposit reference: The first eight (8) blocks are for the student number (if the student number consists of only 7 digits, then a “0” must be filled in as the first digit of the student number). Leave one block open, then fill in the following code: 5370810030 for the application fee.

Documents needed for Unisa application

Documents to submit when applying for admission to Unisa undergraduate applications:

• Copy of your school qualifications. For a list of acceptable school qualifications for admission per country.
• Copy of your tertiary academic qualifications (if applicable).
• Copy of your passport.
• Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree (if applicable).
• Original sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans.
• M30 form – Application for a Certificate of Conditional Exemption (ONLY for admission to bachelor degree studies – not for BTech degree studies) (PDF 33KB) and supporting documents if you are applying for a certificate of exemption.

Note that some qualifications may require additional documents. Unisa reserves the right to request original documents and/or to verify the correctness of submitted documents at any time.

Also, take note of the following rules for uploading supporting documents:

• Files cannot 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 document file), or TIF (image file).

Unisa does not provide scanners or electronic devices. Please ensure that your documents are in electronic format before starting the application process.

Student fees and funding your studies

Unisa’s study fees are generally lower than other higher education institutions, but studying is still a significant investment either way.

The cost depends on the qualification, obviously, as well as the number of modules you choose.

The average student registers for between 4 and 6 modules per year at a cost of between *R1 470,00 and *R3 800,00 per module (*these amounts are subject to change). The module costs do not include your prescribed books.

Books are an additional cost that you must factor into your calculations for your full costs of study.

You can also create Mynsfas account and apply for funding.

How to contact Unisa

Remember to use only your student number in the subject line with all correspondence.

For inquiries related to undergraduate higher certificates, diplomas, and degrees, please send an e-mail to international@unisa.ac.za.

For inquiries related to postgraduate diplomas and honors degrees, please contact the College of Graduate Studies Postgraduate Administration Division (Hons@unisa.ac.za; PGD@unisa.ac.za).

Note: Unisa application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa. Unisa does not accept cash at any of its offices.

Unisa application faqs