2026 Unisa Online Application Facts

2026 Unisa Online Application Facts

The University of South Africa is all about helping students succeed! It wants students to do well in their studies, finish their degrees on time, and be ready for good careers. To make that happen, Unisa looks for applicants who are likely to thrive in a challenging and practical learning environment. For first-year students, how well you did in high school is the best sign of how well you’ll do at Unisa.

Application Preparedness

The key parts of your UNISA application are your school certificate and your ID. These show that you’ve completed a strong high school program, that you’re ready for further studies, and that you can be identified as either a South African citizen or an international applicant. Keep in mind that even if you meet UNISA’s minimum requirements, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get accepted.

Application Instructions and Document Requirements

When filling out your application, make sure you complete all the required fields marked with a red asterisk. Applications are only done online, and you’ll need to pay the non-refundable R150 application fee there as well. If your application is incomplete, the system will reject it automatically.

Be sure to upload all your supporting documents. Save them in PDF, DOC, or TIF format, scan them in black and white, keep each file under 2 MB, and upload them separately (one document per file).

Freshman Application Requirements

When to Apply

You can submit your full application, along with all required documents, online at www.unisa.ac.za anytime between Monday, August 18 and Friday, October 10, 2025. UNISA accepts applications during this period and will make admission decisions after the deadline.

Materials to Submit

Your application for undergraduate or postgraduate admission at the University of South Africa (UNISA) must include:

For South African Applicants:

Certified copy of South African ID
Completed UNISA application form
Matric certificateor latest academic transcript
Proof of residence
Application or registration payment proof(if self-funded)

For International Applicants:

Valid passport
SAQA certificate (foreign qualifications)
Study permit and proof of residence
Proof of language proficiency (if applicable)

What items will I need to Apply?

Information you will need when filling in your UNISA application form:

Your personal details (full name, date of birth, etc.)
Your contact information (phone number, email and home address)
Your Grade 12 results and the name(s) of your school(s)
Details of your next of kin (e.g. parent/guardian name, address, and contacts)
Your work history (if you have ever worked before)
The course or programme you want to apply for

How to Apply at UNISA 2026

Carefully follow the steps below to complete and submit your UNISA 2026 application:

Go to unisa.ac.za to get started.
Click on Apply for Admission.
Select your qualification level (Undergraduate, Honours, Master’s, etc.).
Review the program requirements.
Fill in your personal details and complete all required fields.
Prepare and upload the required documents:
- High school certificate (e.g., Senior Certificate, NSC)
- Official academic records from other institutions (if applicable)
- Identity document (ID or passport)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Sworn translations for documents not in English or Afrikaans
Submit your application before the closing date.
Pay the non-refundable application fee of R150.

UNISA 2026 Application Fee and Payment

The application fee for 2026 is R150. This fee is non-refundable, which means you won’t get it back even if you don’t get accepted. Payment must be made online when you submit your application through the UNISA application portal. Cash payments are not allowed.

How to Pay & What to Include

Once you have your UNISA student number, use it when paying—otherwise, your payment might get delayed or go unallocated.

Include both:

Your 8-digit student number, followed by a space
The application fee reference code: 5370810030

Payment Methods You Can Use

You have multiple payment options—including online and in-person—so you can choose what works best for you:

Online Payment

Pay securely using your Visa or Mastercard through UNISA’s online payment platform at unisa.ac.za/feepayment
These are real-time payments and may require OTP verification

Bank Deposit or EFT

You can pay directly at a bank or via internet banking to UNISA’s accounts:

At First National Bank (FNB) or ABSA:

Choose Unisa as a beneficiary.
Use the format: [Your student number] [space] 5370810030 as the reference.

FNB Account Details (if needed):

Account name: Unisa Student Deposits
Account number: 627 9963 0382 (Cheque account)
Branch code: 210554

ABSA Account Details:

Account name: Unisa Student Deposit
Account number: 409 793 0634
Used with same reference format: student number + 5370810030

NOTE: Deposit processing may take 2–10 working days, so plan ahead

How long will the process take?

The time it takes UNISA to process your application depends on when you apply, whether you have uploaded all the required documents, and whether you have paid the application fee. Normally, it can take between 10 and 45 days after applications close for UNISA to finish checking everything.