Applying for admission
When can I apply?
Apply for admission to undergraduate qualifications for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.
Did you complete Grade 12 in 2025?
If you are completing Grade 12 in 2025 and would like to study through Unisa in semester 1 of 2026, you may still apply for admission to undergraduate qualifications between 18 August and 10 October 2025.
How many qualifications can I apply for?
You can apply for a maximum of three qualifications. You may be offered a space based on the following: whether you meet the statutory and/or academic admission requirements for your qualification of choice, your minimum points score and the number of spaces available for the qualification for which you have applied.
How do I apply?
Visit the Unisa application website (www.unisa.ac.za/apply) and follow the 5-step process.
I applied in the previous application period, but did not upload the required supporting documents and/or pay the application fee. What must I do?
You must re-apply for admission in the next application period. Your student number allocated to you as part of your previous application remains valid.
I studied previously through Unisa. Must I also submit my academic record?
Yes, please obtain this information from myUnisa and submit your academic record as part of the application process. Please note that you do not need to get this academic record certified, as Unisa can verify the information against the Unisa database.
Will I still be able to submit any outstanding documents after applications have closed?
No. Unisa will not accept any late applications or documents submitted after the closing date for applications. You will need to re-apply during the next application period.
Will I be able to change my three proposed qualification after I have submitted my application for semester 1 of 2026 (even for Grade 12 applicants)?
No qualification can be added or changed once an application has been submitted. You may apply for a maximum of three qualifications during the application process. You may want to consider applying for a lower-level qualification as your second or third choice.
Current or returning Unisa students who wish to change to a new qualification/specialisation may ONLY apply for this change during the relevant application period.
Fees and student funding
Is there an application fee? If so, how much is it?
The non-refundable application fee for self-help and online applications is R150.00.
This application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa .
Please note:
- No application fee will be accepted after the closing date for the semester 1 application period for the 2026 academic year.
- No application will be processed until the application fee has been paid (for first-time applicants) and supporting documents uploaded.
Who must pay the application fee?
Only first-time applicants at Unisa have to pay the application fee. You do not need to pay the application fee if you have previously paid an application fee at Unisa.
When can I apply for NSFAS funding?
Visit the NSFAS website for all information related to NSFAS funding.
After applying for admission
I’ve applied. What happens now?
- Unisa will assess your application, which includes the points score system. You may be offered a space based on the following: whether you meet the academic admission requirements for your qualification of choice, your minimum points score and the number of spaces available for the qualification for which you have applied.
- Please note that you will not automatically be accepted to study through Unisa even if you meet the above requirements for your qualification(s) of choice. Students will be accommodated on the basis of the number of spaces available for each qualification. Please note that the “first come first served” principle does NOT apply.
- Unisa will inform you of the outcome of your application.
- You must accept or decline Unisa's offer within the 10 working days period from the date of the offer having been made.
- First-time applicants to Unisa will be required to complete the First-Year Experience MOOC (massive open online course) before you will be able to accept your offer and be able to register for semester 1 of the 2026 academic year. You will automatically be routed to the offer acceptance page once you complete the last activity in the MOOC.
- If you accept Unisa's offer, you must register for the period for which you have been granted admission. Should you not register for semester 1 of the 2026 academic year, you will need to re-apply for admission to semester 1 of the 2026 academic year. (Please note that not all qualifications are on offer during the second semester application period.)
When can I expect feedback on my online application?
The verification of applications takes some time. You will only receive feedback from Unisa four to six weeks after the closing date for applications.
I’ve applied for one qualification, but now want to change to another qualification. What should I do?
In exceptional cases and on receipt of a written request, an applicant may change the qualification for which he or she has applied. Unisa will consider such a request, but the outcome will be based on merit and the number of spaces available in the proposed qualification.
Accepting Unisa's offer
- If your application for admission to semester 1 of the 2026 academic year is successful, Unisa will offer you a space for the period for which you have applied and will also indicate for which qualification you are being offered a space.
- You must accept or decline Unisa's offer within the prescribed period of time (10 working days from the date of the offer).
- 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.
- 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.
- You will only be permitted to register for the qualification for which you have accepted the offer.
- If you accept Unisa's offer, you must register for semester 1 of the 2026 academic year. If not, you will have to re-apply during the next application period.
Registration
I want to register, but didn’t apply during the application period. What should I do?
You will need to apply for admission during the next application period. Please visit www.unisa.ac.za/apply for more information.