University of South Africa (UNISA) Application 2027 & How to Apply

Published 09/18/2026

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is one of South Africa’s major distance-learning universities, offering students the opportunity to study through an open and distance e-learning model.

Key Application Dates

Estimated 2027 Opening and Closing Deadlines

For applicants interested in undergraduate qualifications, the dates are no longer merely estimates. UNISA has published the official 2027 application period.

UNISA Undergraduate Applications 2027

Applications open: 17 August 2026
Applications close: 9 October 2026
Application method: Online
Application fee: R160 for first-time applicants
Maximum qualifications you can apply for: Three
Academic year: 2027

UNISA states that all applications for admission must be submitted during the prescribed application period.

If you are completing Grade 12 in 2026, you can apply during this period for admission to an undergraduate qualification for 2027.

Applicants should also remember that UNISA’s application dates differ according to qualification level. For example:

Undergraduate: 17 August – 9 October 2026
Honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas: 17 August – 9 October 2026
Master’s and doctoral qualifications: 1 September – 20 November 2026, although some selection qualifications have different dates
Short Learning Programmes: Applications for 2027 are scheduled to open on 2 November 2026, with further information to be published by UNISA.

Therefore, applicants should make sure they are checking the application dates for their specific qualification, rather than assuming every UNISA programme follows exactly the same deadline.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

How to Submit Your Application Online

The UNISA application process is completed online. Before starting, prepare your personal information, academic results and electronic copies of the documents you may need to upload.

Start with the official UNISA application page:
UNISA Online Application – Official Website

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Check the qualification you want to study

Before completing the application, visit the UNISA qualifications section and identify the qualification you want to apply for.

Check:

The qualification name
Qualification code
College offering the qualification
Subject requirements
Minimum academic points score where applicable
Whether the qualification is available for 2027
Any programme-specific documentation

UNISA advises applicants to check the relevant statutory, college and academic requirements before submitting an application.

Step 2: Decide which qualifications you want to apply for

UNISA allows applicants to apply for a maximum of three qualifications.

You should therefore think carefully about your choices before submitting the application.

A practical approach is to:

Select your preferred qualification as your first choice.
Consider a second qualification that matches your academic background.
Use the third option as another realistic study pathway.

UNISA states that applicants may rank up to three qualifications, although applicants can ultimately register for only one qualification if more than one application is successful.

Step 3: Start the online application

Go to the official UNISA application website and select the appropriate application option.

If you are a first-time applicant, follow the instructions to begin your application and obtain your UNISA student number where required.

Existing UNISA students who want to start a new qualification or change qualification/specialisation must also apply during the relevant application period.

Step 4: Enter your personal details

Complete your personal information carefully.

You may be asked to provide details such as:

Full name and surname
South African ID number or passport information
Date of birth
Contact number
Email address
Residential information
Citizenship information
Previous education information

Make sure your details correspond with your official identification documents.

An incorrect email address or cellphone number can make it difficult to receive important application communications.

Step 5: Enter your academic information

Provide the required information about your schooling and previous studies.

For current Grade 12 learners, this includes information relating to your school results as requested on the application platform.

If you have already completed matric or previously studied at another institution, you may also need to provide relevant academic information or records.

Do not enter estimated marks simply to complete the form. Use the results available to you and upload the appropriate supporting documentation.

Step 6: Select your qualification

Choose the qualification you want to apply for and make sure that the qualification code and title are correct.

Double-check your selection before moving forward.

This is particularly important because UNISA uses a selection process and some qualifications may have limited available spaces. Meeting the relevant requirements does not automatically mean that a space will be offered.

Step 7: Upload your supporting documents

The application system will indicate which documents you need to provide.

Prepare clear electronic copies before starting the application.

UNISA specifically advises applicants to have their documents scanned and available on an electronic device because the university does not provide scanners or electronic devices for applicants.

Step 8: Obtain your student number and pay the application fee

First-time applicants must pay the application fee after receiving their UNISA student number.

For the 2027 application cycle, the online application fee is:

R160

The fee is non-refundable.

Step 9: Submit the completed application

Before clicking the final submit button, carefully check:

Personal information
Contact details
Qualification choices
Academic information
Uploaded documents
Application fee payment
Proof of payment where applicable

UNISA states that an incomplete application will not be processed and applicants may need to apply again during the next application period.

Step 10: Keep your application records

After submitting your application, keep copies of:

Application confirmation
Student number
Proof of payment
Uploaded documents
Any application reference information
Emails or SMS messages received from UNISA

You should also monitor your email and UNISA application status for updates.

Required Supporting Documents

The exact documents displayed during the application process can vary depending on your circumstances and qualification.

For a typical undergraduate applicant, it is sensible to prepare the following documents in advance:

South African identity document (ID)
Valid passport for international applicants
Birth certificate where applicable
Grade 11 results for current Grade 12 learners, where requested
Grade 12/NSC results where already available
National Senior Certificate or equivalent school-leaving certificate, if already completed
Academic records from previous tertiary studies, where applicable
Marriage or divorce documentation where applicable, particularly where names differ between documents
Additional qualification-specific documents where requested

The application platform will indicate the compulsory documents that apply to your application. Applicants should therefore use the documents shown on their individual upload section as the final checklist.

Grade 11 and Grade 12 Results

If you are currently in Grade 12, you may not yet have your final matric results when applying for 2027 admission.

Do not wait until final matric results are released before applying.

UNISA specifically confirms that learners completing Grade 12 in 2026 can apply during the 2027 undergraduate application period.

Have your available school results ready and follow the document instructions displayed in the application system.

If additional or updated results are required later, follow UNISA’s instructions rather than sending documents through unofficial channels.

International Applicants

International applicants should generally prepare:

Valid passport
Academic certificates and records
School-leaving qualification or equivalent
Official translations where required
SAQA-related documentation where applicable to foreign qualifications

The exact requirements depend on the qualification and applicant’s educational background.

UNISA also provides specific information for international students concerning application fees and payment methods.

What About Proof of Address?

Applicants should not assume that proof of address is a standard compulsory document for every undergraduate application.

The official undergraduate application instructions focus on the supporting documents required through the application platform, and UNISA’s system will identify the documents applicable to your application.

If the application portal or UNISA specifically asks you for proof of address because of your particular circumstances, provide the requested document in the required format.

Do not upload unrelated documents simply because another university may request them.

Application Fee & Payment Details

How Much Is the UNISA Application Fee?

For the 2027 application cycle, the online application fee is R160.

Important points:

Application fee: R160
Non-refundable
Only first-time UNISA applicants need to pay the application fee
Applicants who have previously paid the UNISA application fee do not have to pay it again.
The fee must be paid by the application closing date.
An application submitted without the required application fee being paid on time will not be processed.

When Should You Pay?

UNISA instructs applicants to pay the application fee after receiving their UNISA student number.

Use the student number together with the designated application-fee allocation/reference number when making payment.

UNISA also advises applicants to keep their proof of payment.

Payment Methods

UNISA does not provide cashier services for application-fee payments.

The university indicates that payment can be made through its approved banking/online payment channels. Applicants should use the current payment instructions provided by UNISA rather than relying on old bank details found on social media or third-party websites.

International applicants can use the payment options provided by UNISA for international payments, including Flywire.

Is the Application Fee Refundable?

No.

The R160 application fee is non-refundable, including if:

You change your mind about studying at UNISA.
You do not meet the requirements for your selected qualification.
You are not offered a place because spaces are limited.

Therefore, check your qualification choice carefully before paying.

What Happens After You Apply?

Submitting the application is only the beginning.

UNISA assesses applications using its admission and selection process. Depending on the qualification, factors can include the relevant academic requirements, points score and available spaces.

If your application is successful, you may receive an offer.

For first-time applicants, UNISA states that the First-Year Experience (FYE) MOOC must be completed before an offer can be accepted.

After accepting an offer, you must proceed with registration during the relevant registration period.

What If You Miss the UNISA 2027 Application Deadline?

The undergraduate 2027 application deadline is 9 October 2026, and UNISA states that applications must be submitted during the prescribed application period.

If you miss the deadline, do not immediately pay someone claiming they can guarantee a late UNISA application.

Instead:

1. Check the official UNISA website

Look for an official announcement about any extension, reopening or qualification-specific application opportunity.

2. Check whether your qualification has a different application period

Final Checklist for UNISA Application 2027

Before submitting your application, make sure you have:

Checked the correct qualification
Confirmed the 2027 application deadline
Prepared your South African ID or passport
Prepared your Grade 11/Grade 12 results where applicable
Prepared previous academic records if applicable
Checked whether additional documents are required
Selected up to three qualifications carefully
Obtained your UNISA student number where required
Paid the R160 application fee if you are a first-time applicant
Saved your proof of payment
Uploaded all required documents
Checked that your application is complete
Submitted the application before 9 October 2026
Kept your application confirmation and reference details
Monitored your email and application status

The most important advice for 2027 applicants is simple: do not wait until the final day. Give yourself enough time to obtain your documents, resolve payment problems and correct mistakes before the application period closes.

Posted in: Application

Tagged: University of South Africa (UNISA) Application

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