The application window for Semester 2 at UNISA for the 2024 academic year is open! Great news for some but not for others as not all qualifications is available for students to apply.
There are plenty of qualifications that are currently available to apply to but if you’re looking to study, for example, a higher certificate, then you’re bang out of luck!
For more information on the application timelines, the qualifications offered for the second semester and more, continue reading down below.
When are the Semester 2 Applications Open?
For both new and returning students, the Semester 2 application window is open but for a limited time only:
- Limited undergraduate programme (diplomas, advanced diplomas & bachelor degrees only) applications are open from 15 April to 10 May 2024
- Limited postgraduate diplomas & honours degree applications are open from 15 April to 10 May 2024
In other words, applicants have a full month to apply for their UNISA qualification of their choice. If you are planning to study at UNISA in the second semester, we highly suggest that you apply as soon as possible so that the application process is out of the way and you can wait until when it’s time to register with a clear frame of mind.
Please note that applications for the following type of UNISA qualifications are unavailable for current and potential students to apply/switch to:
- Higher Certificates
- Advanced Certificates
- Masters Degrees
- Doctoral Degrees
- Short Learning Programmes
While this will come as a blow to potential and current students, the one positive you can take from this is that the 2025 UNISA application window will open during its 2024 second semester window.
This and at the same time, giving students a larger window to secure finances for their studies (if they are not thinking about having their studies financed by NSFAS or other educational financial aid services).
Who Can Apply to Study at UNISA?
If you’re planning to apply for undergraduate or postgraduate studies during the UNISA application window for Semester 2, here’s what you need to know:
The following can apply for an undergraduate programme at UNISA:
- First-timers
- Current UNISA students who is looking to change their qualification to a new one
- Applicants who applied and who were not offered a space OR were offered a space and accepted the offer but did not register
- Applicants who have completed / on the verge of completing their previous qualification and wish to continue further with their undergraduate studies
The following can apply for a postgraduate qualification at UNISA:
- First-timers
- Current UNISA students who is looking to change their qualification to a new one
- Applicants who are in their final year of undergraduate studies and wish to continue further with their postgraduate studies.
NB: Applicants who is looking to apply for their chosen qualification have to meet both the admission and APS requirements for their application to be considered.
Postgraduate applications usually undergo a formal selection and approval process, which can take a few months to complete but considering that applications close in May and Semester 2 registration closes in July, it’s likely that a decision on applications will be made before registration closes.
What Can I Study in Semester 2 at UNISA in 2024?
As mentioned earlier, the qualifications that undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for at UNISA in 2024 is limited.
For a full list of available programs offered by UNISA in Semester 2, tap on the links below:
- Undergraduate – College of Accounting Sciences
- Undergraduate – College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- Undergraduate – College of Economic and Management Sciences
- Undergraduate – College of Education
- Undergraduate – College of Human Sciences
- Undergraduate – College of Law
The odd one out is the College of Science, Engineering and Technology which have no open qualifications at time of writing.
- Postgraduate – College of Accounting Sciences
- Postgraduate – College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- Postgraduate – College of Economic and Management Science
These are all of UNISA’s colleges that are offering postgraduate qualifications at time of writing, with an update on the other colleges to be made available at a later date.
Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide to Applying at UNISA
Additional Important Information
New applicants & current students who want to apply for a different qualification at UNISA will have to provide the following documentation in order to apply:
- Copy of your school qualifications (National Senior Certificate or otherwise)
- Copy of your official tertiary academic records
- Copy of your ID or passport (the latter if you’re an international student)
- Copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)
- Sworn translations of documentation if not available in English or Afrikaans
Some qualifications may need additional documents such as an affidavit or other documentation, information that can be found once you look on your chosen qualification’s informational web page.
Additionally, UNISA does reserve the right to request the original documentation for verification purposes. This is to ensure that the right students are chosen to study at the institution (so if you have documentation that, for example, you bought on one of these online services that can “ensure” that you can qualify for any programme, trouble may be heading your way).
When it comes to documentation for postgraduate qualifications, the same process is followed with an additional document that states your year of registration, modules passed and percentages obtained i.e your tertiary academic record.
Now if you made it this far – congratulations! This last bit is the most important thing to remember:
- First-time applicants will have to pay R135.00 to apply, while returning applicants can apply at no charge.
- The application fee is non-refundable – this is even if you decide not to study at UNISA anymore.
- The application fee has to be submitted in time or the application will not be processed.
- Make sure you keep a copy of your proof of payment
You would be surprised at the amount of new applicants who apply but do not make the payment on time – and then complain that it’s taking a long time to get feedback on their applications.
And if the application and payment is not complete in time (10th May 2024), your application will be cancelled and you would have to re-apply at the next application period.
Written by Dylan Florence
Published on 21 April 2024
