University of South Africa (UNISA) Online Application for Admission 2026-2027: How to Apply

UNISA Online Application 2026

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has open an online application for admission to the 2026-2027 academic year for all undergraduate qualifications, honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas from 18 August to 10 October 2025. Therefore, prospective applicants and Unisa students willing to start a new qualification for the 2026 academic session must apply for admission before the closing date or deadline.

Please, for more information regarding Unisa online application for 2026, visit www.unisa.ac.za. An online application portal system for applying to Unisa university can be access by using your Student ID number and password. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it via myUnisa login.

UNISA Application Dates for 2026

Admission to undergraduate qualifications for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.

Honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.

Apply for admission to master’s & doctoral qualifications between 2 September and 21 November 2025 (some exceptions apply).

Register for Unisa’s Short Learning Programmes from 5 January to 13 February 2026 for first semester modules, and from 5 January to 13 March 2026 for year modules.

Everyone wanting to start a new qualification must apply for admission. This includes

• first-time Unisa applicants.
• Unisa students changing to a new qualification and/or specialisation.
• applicants who previously applied for admission and were not offered a space or who were offered a space, accepted the offer and did not register.
• students completing a higher certificate or any other programme and who wish to continue with further undergraduate studies.

All applications for admission must be submitted during the prescribed application period.

READ ALSO: How to Check Unisa Application Status 2026

Applicants who plan to enrol for classes at a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college under the Unisa-TVET agreement may apply via the relevant TVET college or online through Unisa.

What does the selection process entail?

At the heart of the selection process is a calculation of your individual points score, which takes into account your final Grade 12 marks and other key factors such as the school you attended, and your gender, socio-economic group, race, and so on.
Before submitting an application, please check whether you meet the statutory and college-specific admission requirements, and the required academics points score (APS) for your chosen qualification(s).

The minimum APS score differs from college to college, and from qualification to qualification. Please refer to each qualification for the admission requirements.

It is important to note that you will not automatically be accepted to study through Unisa in 2026. Students will be accommodated on the basis of the number of spaces available for each qualification.

Required Documents for UNISA Online Application 2026

I have the following documents scanned & uploaded to an electronic device: All applicants starting a new qualification must upload all the required documents, which generally consists of the following:

Copy of your school qualifications (eg Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate)

Copy of your official tertiary academic record(s) (if applicable) (internet copies will not be accepted)

Copy of your ID document (RSA students) or ID/passport (international students)

Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree (if applicable)

Sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans

How to apply?

1. Go to the online application system: Apply Online

Applicants who plan to enrol for classes at a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college under the Unisa-TVET agreement may apply via the relevant TVET college or online via Unisa.

2. Upload supporting documents

• Everyone applying for a new qualification must submit the required documents (all first-time applicants and Unisa students starting a new qualification).
• The due date for uploading the required documents is the closing date for applications. No documents submitted after the closing date for applications will be accepted.
• Unisa does not provide scanners or electronic devices. Please ensure that your documents are scanned and uploaded to an electronic device before starting the application process.

3. Pay the application fee

• R150.00 for online applications.
• Pay the application fee once you have received a student number from Unisa.
• Send the proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za
• Visit www.unisa.ac.za/feepayment for banking details and payment information.

Use the student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee allocation number as your reference number
For example:
STUDENTNUMBER, space, 5370810030

PLEASE NOTE:

This fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa, do not qualify for admission to Unisa or cannot be offered a space due to limited spaces available.

Unisa does not provide cashier services and the payment should be made via bank deposit or online channels.The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period. Any application submitted without an application fee paid on time will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.

4. Make sure your application is complete

If your application for admission to study through Unisa is incomplete, you will have to re-apply during the next application period.