Do I qualify to study through unisa?
As a South African public university, there are minimum statutory admission requirements for specific programmes. In addition to this, Senate may set further requirements for admission to certain programmes. The following are the minimum statutory admission requirements. Please contact the university if you are unsure whether or not you qualify for admission to the qualification of your choice.
Bachelor’s degree
To be registered for a degree, a student must hold one of the following certificates:
a) National Senior Certificate with entry level: Degree
b) A senior certificate with matriculation or university admission endorsement (exemption)
c) A certificate of full or conditional exemption issued by the Matriculation Board of Higher Education South Africa (HESA)
Students must also comply with any additional requirements that may be set by Senate.
Bachelor of Technology degrees
To be registered for this degree, a student must hold an applicable National Diploma and comply with any other additional requirements as set by Senate.
National Diplomas
To be registered for a diploma, a student must:
a) Hold a National Senior Certificate with entry level: Diploma/Degree; or
b) Hold a senior or school leaving certificate with or without a matriculation exemption/endorsement, but with at least 5 subjects on Higher and/or Standard Grade; or
c) Qualify for a certificate of full or conditional exemption issued by the Matriculation Board of Higher Education South Africa (HESA); or
d) Hold a Std 8/Grade 10, be 23 years and older, and have 3 years work experience
Students must also comply with any additional requirements that may be set by Senate.
Non-degree purpose (NDP)
To be registered for any module for non-degree purposes, a student must:
a) Hold a senior or school leaving certificate with at least 5 subjects on Higher and/or Standard Grade or
b) Qualify for a certificate of full or conditional exemption issued by the Matriculation Board of Higher Education South Africa (HESA)
Postgraduate qualifications
Students must also comply with any additional requirements that may be set by Senate.
A step-by-step overview of whether or not you qualify for admission to degree and/or diploma studies at Unisa
If you do not have an exemption certificate, please enquire at the university (Access and Matriculation Exemption Office) about whether you qualify for any of the other types of exemption certificates, for example: on the grounds of foreign or post-school qualifications obtained and/or mature age.
An application for such an exemption certificate must be submitted to the university which, upon finalisation of the application, will forward it to the Matriculation Board. The certificate will then be issued, if approved by the Board. In the case where a certificate of conditional exemption is issued, a student will be required to renew such a certificate when it lapses. In order to confirm whether you possibly qualify for conditional exemption, please refer to the following two tables.
Do I qualify for admission to a Bachelor’s degree (Btech excluded) at Unisa? (New students 2010)
If you do NOT hold a Senior Certificate with an endorsement indicating that you have been exempted from the matriculation requirement, please refer to the check list below to ascertain whether or not you are eligible to apply for admission to undergraduate degree studies. Not applicable to National Senior Certificate holders (2008 and later). Please choose the option applicable to you (eg over the age of 45).
| A |
|
B |
|
C |
|
D |
|
E |
| +23 (Std 10/ Grade 12 students) |
+23 (O-Level students) |
+23 (IGCSE) |
+45 |
Full exemption |
|
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 4 Grade 12
subjects on HG/SG with
at least an E symbol?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was 1 subject passed on
Higher Grade?
Yes/No*
Please apply for mature
age exemption. |
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 4 O-Levels
with symbols A-C (AC+
for Kenya students)
or 1-6?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was English Language
one of the subjects
passed?
Yes/No*
Please apply for mature
age exemption.
NB: If you have passed
any A Levels, refer to
Column F. |
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass at least
4 IGCSE subjects with
symbols A-C?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was English or Afrikaans
First Language one of
the subjects passed?
Yes/No*
Please apply for mature
age exemption. |
Will you be at least
45 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1965 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Please apply for mature
age exemption.
NB: It is not
necessary to submit
any school
qualifications.
|
Do you have a Senior
Certificate?
Yes/No*
Do you have a 3 or
4-year diploma, such
as a
Teachers’ Diploma?
National Diploma?
Yes/No*
Do you have a 2-year
diploma from a South
African university or
technikon?
Yes/No*
Please apply for
exemption.
B: Should you
not meet one or
more of the above
conditions, please
contact the Access and
Matriculation Exemption
Office as indicated
below.
Should you have any
foreign secondary or
tertiary qualifications,
please contact
the Access and
Matriculation Exemption
Office as indicated
below. |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears that
you do not qualify for
exemption at this stage.
For further information,
please contact the
Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
for exemption at this
stage. For further
information, please
contact the Access
and Matriculation
Exemption Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
for exemption at this
stage. For further
information, please
contact the Access and
Matriculation Exemption
Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail:
ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
for exemption at this
stage. For further
information, please
contact the Access and
Matriculation Exemption
Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail:
ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
for exemption at this
stage. For further
information, please
contact the Access and
Matriculation Exemption
Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail:
ame@unisa.ac.za |
| F |
|
G |
|
H |
|
I |
| Full exemption (A + O-Levels) |
Full exemption (HIGCSE) |
Ordinary conditional exemption |
Access programme |
|
Did you pass a
combination of 5 O and
A-Levels?
Yes/No*
Are at least 2 of the
above subjects recognised
A-levels?
Yes/No*
Do the subjects cover the
following groups:
• English Language;
• Any recognised
2nd language;
• Mathematics,
Biology,
• Science, Geology,
Physiology,
General Science;
A recognised 3rd
language?
Yes/No*
Please apply for
exemption.
NB: Should you not
meet one or more of the
above conditions,
please contact the
Access and
Matriculation
Exemption Office as
indicated below. |
Did you pass 5 HIGCSE
subjects (Grades 1-3)?
OR
Did you pass 4 HIGCSE
subjects (Grades 1-3) and 1
IGCSE subject (symbols A-C)?
OR
Did you pass 4 HIGCSE
subjects (Grades 1-3) and 1
HIGCSE subject (Grade 4)?
Do the subjects cover the
following groups:
• Any recognised 1st
language;
• Any recognised 2nd
language;
• Two more subjects
from 2 of Groups 3, 4 and 5
NB:
English 1st or 2nd language
on HIGCSE level is
compulsory.
Yes/No*
Please apply for exemption.
NB: Should you not meet
one or more of the above
conditions, please contact
the Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office as indicated
below. |
Do your Grade 12 results
reflect that you have
passed with conditional
exemption?
Yes/No*
If “Yes”, apply for ordinary
conditional exemption.
If “No”, check Columns
A, E and I or contact the
Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office as
indicated below.
NB: The condition
on the certificate of
ordinary conditional
exemption must be
fulfilled before you will be
allowed to register for a
second year of study. |
Senior Certificate
OR
Did you pass at least 5 O-Level subjects
with symbols A-C (C+ for Kenya
students) or 1-6, of which one was
English Language or Literature in English?
OR
Did you pass at least 5 IGCSE subjects
with symbols A-C, of which English or
Afrikaans first language was one of the
subjects?
OR
Did you complete the Certidao 12th class
from Moçambique?
OR
Did you complete 3rd year Pre-University
certificate from Angola?
OR
Did you complete the Graduation
Certificate Grade 12 College Entrance or
the National Christian Schools’ Certificate
Level 3 of the ACE School of Tomorrow?
OR
International Certificate of Christian
Education Level 3
Yes/No* |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears that
you do not qualify for
exemption at this stage.
For further information,
please contact the
Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No” to
any of the above questions,
it appears that you do
not qualify for exemption
at this stage. For further
information, please contact
the Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears that
you do not qualify for
exemption at this stage.
For further information,
please contact the
Access and Matriculation
Exemption Office at:
0861670411
+27116709000
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
*If ‘Yes’, and you do not qualify to
apply for exemption under Column
A-H, contact 0861670411 or
+27116709000 for further information.
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
Do I qualify for admission to study for a National Diploma at Unisa? (New students 2010)
If you do NOT hold a Senior Certificate with or without matriculation exemption/endorsement and with at least 5 subjects on Higher and/or Standard Grade, please refer to the checklist below to ascertain whether or not you are eligible to apply for registration for a National Diploma. Not applicable to National Senior Certificate holders (2008 and later). Please choose the option applicable to you (eg over the age of 45).
| A |
|
B |
|
C |
|
D |
|
E |
| +23 (Std 10/ Grade 12 students) |
23 years and older
(O-Level students) |
23 years and older
(IGCSE students) |
45 years and older |
ACE School of
Tomorrow |
|
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 4 Grade 12
subjects on HG/SG with
at least an E symbol?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was 1 subject passed on
Higher Grade?
Yes/No*
You may apply to register
for a National Diploma.
(Remember to include
your original Senior
Certificate results and a
certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 4 O-Levels
with symbols A-C (AC+
for Kenya students)
or 1-6?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was English Language
one of the subjects
passed?
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember
to include your original
O-level certificate or a
copy certified by a SA
Embassy, Consulate,
Trade Mission, High
Commission or Public
Notary, as well as a
certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Did you pass at least
4 IGCSE subjects with
symbols A-C?
Yes/No*
Were at least 3
subjects passed at one
examination sitting?
Yes/No*
Was English first
language or Afrikaans
first language one of the
subjects passed?
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember
to include your original
IGCSE certificate or a
copy certified by a SA
Embassy, Consulate,
Trade Mission, High
Commission or Public
Notary, as well as a
certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
Will you be at least
45 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1965 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember to
include a certified copy
of your ID when you
apply.).
NB: It is not necessary
to submit any school
qualifications. |
Did you pass the ACE
School of Tomorrow
Graduation Certificate
Grade 12 College
Entrance or The
National Christian
Schools’ Certificate
Level 3 or the
International Certificate
of Christian Education
Level 3?
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember
to include your original
School of Tomorrow
certificate or a copy
certified by a SA
Embassy, Consulate,
Trade Mission, High
Commission or Public
Notary, as well as a
certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer to
the other columns as well.
For further information,
please contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
086 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer
to the other columns
as well. For further
information, please
contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
086 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer
to the other columns
as well. For further
information, please
contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
086 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer
to the other columns
as well. For further
information, please
contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
086 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not
qualify to register for
a National Diploma.
Please refer to the
other columns as well.
For further information,
please contact the
Digital Contact Centre:
086 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
| F |
|
G |
|
H |
|
I |
23 years and older and 3
years working experience |
4 N3 subjects and 2 official
languages |
4 N4 subjects including
English |
Foreign high school qualifications |
|
Will you be at least
23 years before or on
31/12/2010 (ie born in
1987 or earlier)?
Yes/No*
Are you in possession of
at least a Standard 8 or
Grade 10 certificate?
Yes/No*
Do you have at least
3 years’ relevant work
experience?:
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember
to include your original
Standard 8/ Grade
10 certificate or a
copy certified by a SA
Embassy, Consulate,
Trade Mission, High
Commission or Public
Notary, original letter
from your employer
verifying the 3 years
work experience, as well
as a certified copy of
your ID when you apply.) |
Did you pass 4 N3 subjects
with at least 40%?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 1 official
language as first language
(SG) with at least 40% on
Senior Certificate level?
Yes/No*
Did you pass 1 official
language as second
language (SG) with at least
40% on Senior Certificate
level?
Yes/No*
You may apply to register
for a National Diploma.
(Remember to include your
original N3 certificate and
proof of languages passed
on Senior Certificate level
or copies certified by a SA
Embassy, Consulate, Trade
Mission, High Commission
or Public Notary, as well as
a certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
Did you pass at least 4
N4 subjects with 50%
or more?
Yes/No*
Was English N4 (50%)
or English first or second
language HG/SG one of
the subjects passed with
at least an E symbol?
Yes/No*
You may apply to
register for a National
Diploma. (Remember
to include your original
N4 certificate and
Senior Certificate results
or copies certified by a
SA Embassy, Consulate,
Trade Mission, High
Commission or Public
Notary, as well as a
certified copy of your ID
when you apply.) |
NB: These qualifications will be
evaluated by the Access and
Matriculation
Exemption Office (AME) to determine
if you qualify for registration.
(Remember to submit your original
high school diploma or copy certified
by a SA Embassy, Consulate, Trade
Mission, High Commission or Public
Notary, as well as a certified copy of
your ID when you apply.)
Your registration will only be processed
if it is found, upon evaluation of your
qualification, that you qualify for
admission to the National Diploma. |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer
to the other columns
as well. For further
information, please
contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
0861 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No” to
any of the above questions,
it appears that you do
not qualify to register
for a National Diploma.
Please refer to the other
columns as well. For further
information, please contact
the Digital Contact Centre:
0861 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If you answered “No”
to any of the above
questions, it appears
that you do not qualify
to register for a National
Diploma. Please refer
to the other columns
as well. For further
information, please
contact the Digital
Contact Centre:
0861 167 0411
+27 11 670 9000 |
*If ‘Yes’, and you do not qualify to
apply for exemption under Column
A-H, contact 0861670411 or
+27116709000 for further information.
E-mail: ame@unisa.ac.za |
|
