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Graduations

Certificates

All degree and diploma certificates are issued in English.

General

Regrettably, logistical and operational realities necessitate that graduation ceremonies are reserved for students who have completed degrees and three-year diplomas.

  • All one and two-year diplomas and certificates are awarded in absentia, ie your certificate is awarded in your absence since you do not attend a graduation ceremony.

During April, May and June, graduation ceremonies are presented in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, East London, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Durban and Pretoria. During September and October, graduation ceremonies are presented in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.

  • Your graduation ceremony (degree and three-year diploma candidates) will be presented at one of the above venues nearest to you.

One and two-year certificates and diplomas

A letter and statement confirming completion of your diploma / certificate will be posted to you. Please be aware that all one and two year certificates and diplomas are awarded in absentia; in other words, you are not invited to attend the graduation ceremony, and subsequently, your certificate is awarded in your absence.

Your certificate will be posted under registered cover within two weeks after having been awarded in absentia.

Degrees and three year diplomas

A graduation package containing lconfirmation of completion of your degree or diploma and invitation material regarding your graduation ceremony will be posted to you.

Please note the venue, date and starting time of your ceremony as indicated in your invite.The graduation ceremony confirmed in your letter is the only ceremony you are eligible to attend, and you will not be able to attend any other graduation ceremony. 
You are requested to act in accordance with the information stipulated in your graduation pack,

Duplicate certificates

Duplicate certificates will not be issued under any circumstances. If your certificate has been lost, Unisa can issue a statement in lieu of a lost certificate. You must contact the Division: Graduations and provide a sworn affidavit declaring the loss of the original certificate, a covering letter indicating your postal address and contact details, and a certified copy of your identity document.

Graduating in absentia (degree and three-year diploma candidates)

If you graduate in absentia, your certificate will be posted under registered cover within two weeks of the graduation ceremony.

Collections

Only in exceptional cases may certificates be collected in person after the graduation ceremony. In such cases, collections can be made during office hours at the Graduations Counter, Room 5 -12, OR Tambo Building, Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria. Please bring your identity document or passport (foreign students). Drivers licences are not considered valid proof of identity.

If you send someone to collect the certificate on your behalf, the same documentation must be provided as above, together with a signed letter of consent which validates the identity number or passport number of the collector as well as your contact details. The collector must thus ensure that his or her identity document or passport is on his or her person when submitting your signed letter of consent.