The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest distance education institution in South Africa, serving over 400,000 students both locally and internationally (Reddit, Wikipedia). If you’re planning to apply for undergraduate, honours, postgraduate diplomas, master’s, or doctoral programmes in 2025, here’s everything you need to know—from eligibility to registration.
1. UNISA Programmes Offered in 2025
Undergraduate Qualifications
- Includes degrees, diplomas, and higher certificates.
- Application window: 18 August to 10 October 2025 for the 2026 academic year (Unisa, Wikipedia, Unisa).
Honours Degrees & Postgrad Diplomas
- Admission requires a completed undergraduate degree or equivalent.
- Applications also open 18 August to 10 October 2025 (Unisa, Unisa).
Master’s & Doctoral Degrees
- Applications open from September to November 2024 for a set of selected programmes. Full list to be published August 2025 for 2026 intake (Unisa, Unisa, Unisa).
Short Learning Programmes (SLPs)
- Applications: 5 January to 13 February 2026 for semester 1; up to 13 March for year modules (Unisa).
2. Before You Apply: Eligibility & Requirements
- Confirm you meet statutory and college-specific admission criteria, including your Academic Point Score (APS) based on Grade 12 results (Unisa).
- You’ll need a valid email and cellphone number—UNISA communicates application updates via email and SMS only. Provide one of each (Unisa).
- Upload clear scanned copies of:
Ensure each document:
- Is under 2 MB, black-and-white PDF, Word or TIF format.
- Uploaded separately, not as one combined file (Unisa).
International applicants must obtain a SAQA certificate of evaluation, but may submit it by 15 December 2025 if admission is granted (Unisa).
3. The Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
- Go to UNISA’s online application portal and apply.
- Select up to 2 qualifications, ranking them in order of preference. However, if both are accepted, you may only register for one (Unisa).
- Be aware: you must apply for both choices in one application window; you cannot submit a new application later in the same intake period (Reddit).
Step 2: Upload Supporting Documents
- Must be submitted before the application closing date. No late submissions allowed (Unisa).
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
- First-time applicants pay R140.00 online (or Flywire for international students). Past applicants don’t pay again (Unisa Mobile).
- You’ll receive a student number during the application. Payment must reference “STUDENTNUMBER allocation‑number” format to avoid delays (Unisa).
- Proof of payment must be emailed to susdepid@unisa.ac.za (Unisa).
Step 4: Track Your Application
- After submission, UNISA may take two to four weeks post-application closing date to provide outcome decisions (UNISA).
- Decisions are based on APS, admission criteria, and available spaces—not a first‑come‑first‑served system (UNISA).
4. After You’ve Applied
If You’re Offered a Place
- First‑time applicants must complete the First‑Year Experience MOOC before accepting UNISA’s offer (Unisa).
- Accept or decline the offer within 10 working days (unless otherwise specified) via UNISA’s portal. Missing the deadline means forfeiting the offer (Unisa).
- You may accept only one offer—acceptance of one automatically drops the other (Unisa, Unisa).
- Once accepted, you may only register for the 2025 academic year and the specific qualification offered; changing after acceptance isn’t allowed (Unisa).
If Your Application Is Declined
- UNISA will provide a reason. If eligible, you may appeal within 10 days if you believe the rejection was in error or incomplete documentation was received (Unisa Mobile).
- Mature applicants (over 23) with 5+ years relevant experience may apply via RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) if academic requirements aren’t met (Unisa Mobile).
Technical Difficulties or Errors
- Some applicants report issues accepting offers online or editing applications—online systems may hang. If this happens, email relevant college or application support with screenshots and student number (Reddit).
5. Registration and Post-Acceptance Steps
- Once you accept your offer, proceed to register for modules.
- Registration deadlines:
- 28 February 2025 for semester modules
- 31 March 2025 for year modules
- Master’s and doctoral registration open until 30 June 2025 (Unisa).
- When making any payment, always use your 8-digit student number followed by allocation reference to avoid misallocation delays (Unisa).
- Activate your myLife email—UNISA’s official communications and student services are sent through that platform (Unisa).
- Engage with tutorial letters, online forums, and schedule consistently. Join peer groups (Telegram, WhatsApp) for support (Reddit).
6. About UNISA: Pros & Cons
Advantages:
- Offers distance learning flexibility for working adults, remote learners, and those needing flexible scheduling.
- Wide range of programmes including vocational, academic, and postgraduate qualifications with broad recognition in South Africa and abroad (Wikipedia).
- Recognised for accessibility and inclusivity—especially for those unable to attend traditional universities (Reddit).
Challenges to Be Aware Of:
- UNISA’s administration and responsiveness have drawn criticism: lost payments, delayed exam scheduling, and slow support reported on various forums (Reddit).
- Applicants may face system errors when applying or accepting offers—patience and follow-up may be required (Reddit, Reddit).
That said, many students describe success if they self-organize, use peer support groups, and stay proactive about managing assignments and deadlines (Reddit).
7. Quick Checklist: Steps to Apply Successfully
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Check Eligibility | Confirm your APS and admission requirements |
| 2. Prepare Documents | Scan ID, matric results, transcripts, etc. in acceptable formats |
| 3. Apply Online | Select up to 2 qualifications within application window |
| 4. Pay Fee | Pay R140 and submit proof with correct reference |
| 5. MOOC Course | First-time applicants complete First-Year Experience MOOC |
| 6. Accept Offer | Within 10 working days via portal |
| 7. Register | By end-February (semesters) or end-March (year modules) |
| 8. Student Email & Support | Activate myLife and join study communities |
| 9. Track Submission | Monitor application status, follow up if issues arise |
| 10. Appeal if Needed | Submit appeals within timeframe if declined |
8. Final Thoughts
Applying to UNISA in 2025 requires careful preparation—meeting admission criteria, uploading documents correctly, paying fees, and meeting deadlines. Despite bureaucratic challenges, many students succeed through disciplined self-study, peer networks, and persistence.
UNISA offers wide accessibility, from short learning programmes to doctoral degrees, with a format tailored to distance learners and non-traditional students. If you’re diligent, proactive, and organised, it provides a credible path to achieving academic and career goals.
For more detailed guides on specific programmes, fees, or study support, visit UNISA’s official website or student helplines. Good luck on your UNISA journey!
