Planning to study through the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2027?

UNISA has opened applications for the 2027 academic year, giving prospective students an opportunity to apply for undergraduate, honours and postgraduate diploma qualifications.

UNISA is a major South African open and distance learning university, allowing students to pursue qualifications through its distance-learning model.

For the 2027 academic year, undergraduate applications and applications for honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas are open from 17 August to 9 October 2026. Master’s and doctoral applications have a different application period.

This NextStepZA guide explains the UNISA 2027 application dates, admission requirements, APS, application fee, documents, available qualification levels, application process, application outcomes and what to do after receiving an offer.

UNISA 2027 Applications at a Glance

UNISA notes that some master’s, doctoral and other selected qualifications may have different application periods or exceptions, so applicants should check the specific qualification before applying.

When Do UNISA 2027 Applications Open?

UNISA opened applications for the 2027 academic year on:

17 August 2026

For undergraduate qualifications, applications close on:

9 October 2026

The same 17 August to 9 October 2026 application period applies to honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas.

For master’s and doctoral qualifications, the general application period is:

1 September to 20 November 2026

Some master’s and doctoral qualifications have different closing dates, so applicants must check the relevant qualification information before applying.

Important

UNISA states that applications must be submitted during the prescribed application period and that late applications are not accepted.

Who Must Apply to UNISA for 2027?

You need to apply for admission if you want to start a new qualification at UNISA.

This includes:

• First-time UNISA applicants
• Current UNISA students changing to a new qualification
• Students changing their specialisation
• Students who previously applied but were not offered a place
• Students who were offered a place but did not register
• Students completing a higher certificate who want to continue with further undergraduate studies
• Students intending to enrol through a UNISA-TVET agreement

UNISA specifically states that completing a qualification does not automatically mean you can simply move into another qualification without applying for admission.

What Can You Study at UNISA?

UNISA offers qualifications across different levels of higher education.

Depending on the available programmes and admission requirements, students can apply for:

• Higher Certificates
• Advanced Certificates where offered
• Diplomas
• Advanced Diplomas
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Postgraduate Diplomas
• Honours degrees
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral degrees
• Short Learning Programmes

The specific qualifications available for 2027 should always be checked on UNISA’s official qualification pages before applying.

UNISA 2027 Undergraduate Qualifications

Undergraduate study includes qualifications such as certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.

However, requirements differ from one qualification to another.

Before applying, you should check:

1. The qualification you want to study
2. The minimum admission requirements
3. The required subjects
4. The required APS
5. Whether spaces are available
6. Whether you meet any additional college-specific requirements

UNISA states that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not automatically guarantee admission, because some qualifications have limited spaces.

What Is the UNISA APS?

APS stands for Academic Points Score.

UNISA uses an APS calculation as part of its undergraduate selection process.

For applicants using the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC), UNISA’s current information explains that the APS is calculated using the NSC achievement scale for six recognised 20-credit subjects.

Life Orientation is excluded from the APS calculation.

UNISA APS Scale

UNISA states that the highest possible APS using this calculation is 42.

Important

There is not one universal APS requirement for every UNISA qualification.

The minimum APS differs depending on the qualification and college.

Therefore, don’t assume that meeting the APS for one UNISA programme means you qualify for another. Always check the specific qualification requirements.

Does Meeting the UNISA Requirements Guarantee Admission?

No.

This is one of the most important things prospective students need to understand.

You may meet the academic requirements for a qualification and still not receive an offer.

UNISA explains that admission depends on factors including:

• Meeting statutory admission requirements
• Meeting qualification-specific requirements
• Your APS/points score
• The number of spaces available
• The university’s selection process

UNISA states that the first-come, first-served principle does not apply.

How Many Qualifications Can You Apply For at UNISA?

For the 2027 undergraduate application process, you can apply for a maximum of three qualifications.

You must rank your choices in order of preference.

For example:

Choice 1: Bachelor of Commerce

Choice 2: Bachelor of Administration

Choice 3: Diploma in Accounting Sciences

However, applying for three qualifications does not mean you can register for all three.

If you receive multiple offers, you may only accept one offer.

Can You Change Your Three Choices After Submitting?

UNISA states that you cannot simply add or change your three proposed qualifications after submitting your application.

Therefore, choose your qualifications carefully before submitting.

UNISA advises applicants to consider applying for a lower-level qualification as a second or third choice where appropriate.

UNISA 2027 Application Fee

The current undergraduate application fee for first-time applicants is:

R160

The fee is non-refundable.

UNISA states that the application will not be processed for first-time applicants until the application fee has been paid and the required supporting documents have been uploaded.

Who Does Not Have to Pay the Application Fee?

If you have previously paid a UNISA application fee, you do not need to pay the application fee again.

However, you may still need to complete the application process for the new application period.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply to UNISA?

The exact documents can vary depending on your circumstances and qualification.

Applicants should be prepared to provide relevant documents such as:

• South African ID document or applicable identity documentation
• School-leaving certificate/results
• Academic records where applicable
• Supporting qualification documents
• Other documents requested by UNISA

Students who previously studied at UNISA should also submit their academic record as required.

UNISA states that students who previously studied through UNISA can obtain their academic information from myUnisa, and that this academic record does not need to be certified because UNISA can verify it against its own database.

Important

Do not upload random documents simply because another applicant was asked for them.

Check the requirements for your specific application and qualification.

How to Apply at UNISA for 2027

The UNISA application process is completed online.

Step 1: Choose Your Qualification

Start by deciding what you want to study.

Think carefully about:

• Your career interests
• Your previous subjects
• Your academic results
• Admission requirements
• APS
• Qualification duration
• Career opportunities
• Whether you can manage distance learning

Step 2: Check the Admission Requirements

Before starting your application, check the requirements for the exact qualification.

Make sure you understand:

• Minimum APS
• Required subjects
• Minimum marks
• Previous qualification requirements
• Any additional requirements

UNISA specifically advises prospective students to check the statutory, college-specific and qualification-specific admission requirements before applying.

Step 3: Apply Online

Visit the official UNISA application website and follow the application process.

UNISA’s current FAQ directs applicants to:

www.unisa.ac.za/apply

The application process consists of a five-step process provided by UNISA.

Step 4: Select Your Qualifications

You can choose up to three qualifications.

Rank them according to your preference.

Take your time with this step because UNISA states that you cannot simply change your three proposed qualifications after submitting the application.

Step 5: Upload Your Supporting Documents

Upload the documents requested by UNISA.

Before uploading, make sure:

• Documents are clear
• Information is readable
• Your details are correct
• The correct documents are attached
• You have included all required pages

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

If you are a first-time UNISA applicant, pay the R160 non-refundable application fee.

UNISA states that applications will not be processed until the applicable application fee has been paid and supporting documents have been uploaded.

Step 7: Submit Your Application

Review everything carefully before submitting.

Make sure your:

• Personal information
• Qualification choices
• Documents
• Contact information
• Application details

are correct.

What Happens After You Apply to UNISA?

After you submit your application, UNISA assesses it.

The assessment includes the university’s selection process, which considers factors such as:

• Admission requirements
• APS/points score
• Available spaces
• Qualification-specific requirements

UNISA says applicants should expect feedback four to six weeks after the closing date because the verification and selection process takes time.

How Will You Know If Your UNISA Application Was Successful?

UNISA will communicate the outcome of your application.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer indicating the qualification and period for which you have been offered a place.

Do not assume that meeting the minimum requirements means you have been accepted. Wait for the official outcome from UNISA.

What If You Receive a UNISA Offer?

If you receive an offer, you need to pay attention to the deadline.

UNISA states that you must accept or decline the offer within 10 working days from the date the offer was made.

If you fail to respond within the prescribed period, the offer may be withdrawn and you may lose the place.

Can You Accept More Than One UNISA Offer?

No.

You may only accept one offer.

If you accept an offer for one qualification, the other offers will automatically fall away.

You will then only be permitted to register for the qualification for which you accepted the offer.

UNISA First-Year Experience MOOC

There is an important additional step for first-time UNISA applicants.

First-time applicants who receive an offer must complete UNISA’s First-Year Experience (FYE) MOOC before they can accept the offer and register for semester 1 of the 2027 academic year.

UNISA states that once the applicant completes the final activity in the MOOC, they will be routed to the offer acceptance page.

What Happens If You Accept Your UNISA Offer?

If you accept your offer, you must register for the period for which you have been admitted.

For example, if you have been admitted for semester 1 of 2027, you must register for that period.

UNISA states that if you do not register for the relevant period, you will need to re-apply during the next application period.

Can You Apply for UNISA If You Are Completing Matric in 2026?

Yes.

UNISA’s current 2027 FAQ specifically states that students completing Grade 12 in 2026 who want to study through UNISA in 2027 may apply for an undergraduate qualification during the 17 August to 9 October 2026 application period.

This means current matric learners should not automatically wait until their final results are released before considering the application process.

What If You Applied to UNISA Before?

If you previously applied but:

• Were not offered a place, or
• Were offered a place but did not register,

you need to apply again during the applicable application period.

UNISA states that applicants in these situations are included among those who must apply for admission for a new qualification/application cycle.What If You Studied at UNISA Before?

If you previously studied through UNISA, you still need to follow the applicable admission process if you are starting a new qualification or changing qualification/specialisation.

UNISA also states that previous students should obtain and submit their academic record as part of the application process.

What If You Don’t Meet the UNISA Requirements?

Don’t simply choose a qualification because you like the title.

If you don’t meet the requirements for your preferred programme, UNISA recommends exploring alternatives that can help you meet the admission requirements or reconsidering your study and career plans.

For example, depending on your circumstances, you could investigate:

• A different qualification
• A lower-level qualification
• Another institution
• A TVET college programme
• Recognition of Prior Learning (where applicable)

The appropriate option depends on your academic background and career goals.

UNISA and Distance Learning

UNISA is an open and distance learning institution.

This means students need to be prepared for a learning environment that requires substantial self-management.

Before applying, prospective students should consider whether they can manage:

• Independent study
• Assignment deadlines
• Online learning resources
• Self-directed revision
• Communication with the university
• Exam preparation
• Balancing studies with other responsibilities

Distance learning provides flexibility, but students still need to manage their academic responsibilities.

UNISA 2027 Application Checklist

Before submitting your application, work through this checklist:

☐ Choose your qualification

☐ Check the specific admission requirements

☐ Check the required APS

☐ Prepare your supporting documents

☐ Choose up to three qualifications

☐ Rank your qualifications in order of preference

☐ Complete the online application

☐ Upload the required documents

☐ Pay the R160 application fee if you are a first-time applicant

☐ Check your application carefully

☐ Submit your application

☐ Keep proof of your application

☐ Monitor your application outcome

☐ If successful, respond to your offer within the required period

☐ Complete the FYE MOOC if you are a first-time applicant

☐ Register for the period for which you have been admitted

UNISA 2027 Application Dates

Undergraduate

17 August – 9 October 2026

Honours Degrees & Postgraduate Diplomas

17 August – 9 October 2026

Master’s & Doctoral Qualifications

1 September – 20 November 2026

Some master’s and doctoral qualifications have different application periods, so applicants should check their specific qualification.

Final Reminder for UNISA 2027 Applicants

If you want to study through UNISA in 2027, don’t leave your application until the final day.

For undergraduate qualifications, honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas, the current application deadline is:

9 October 2026

Before applying:

Choose your qualification → Check the requirements → Check your APS → Prepare your documents → Apply → Pay the applicable fee → Submit → Track your outcome.

And remember: meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission. UNISA considers its selection process and the number of spaces available for each qualification.

Apply for UNISA 2027

For the safest and most accurate application process, use the official UNISA application platform:

UNISA Official Application Page

You can also start from UNISA’s official Apply for Admission page, which contains the current 2027 application dates and links for undergraduate, honours, postgraduate, master’s and doctoral applications.

NextStepZA

At NextStepZA, we help South Africans discover opportunities in education, jobs, bursaries, learnerships and career development.

If you’re planning to study in 2027, don’t only look at university applications. Also explore NSFAS funding, bursaries, TVET colleges and other education opportunities available on NextStepZA.

Always verify admission requirements, application dates and fees directly with UNISA before submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions About UNISA 2027