Unisa opens undergraduate applications for the 2027 academic year on 17 August 2026, and the application window closes on 9 October 2026. This period covers new undergraduate applicants, including students still completing matric, students who have already finished Grade 12, and students who want to change their current qualification. The same opening and closing dates also apply to honours degree and postgraduate diploma applications submitted during this cycle.
This article sets out the confirmed 2027 application dates, who should apply during this window, what the process involves, and what to check before submitting an undergraduate application to Unisa.
Confirmed Dates for the 2027 Undergraduate Intake
Unisa follows a distinct application cycle compared to contact universities, since it opens applications for a future academic year during the preceding year rather than a few months before the year begins. For the 2027 intake, this means the application period sits almost a full year ahead of when the academic year actually starts.
| Application Detail | Date or Requirement |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate application opening date | 17 August 2026 |
| Undergraduate application closing date | 9 October 2026 |
| Honours degree applications | Same window: 17 August 2026 to 9 October 2026 |
| Postgraduate diploma applications | Same window: 17 August 2026 to 9 October 2026 |
| Application submission method | Online only, through Unisa’s official application system |
| Application fee | Non-refundable, paid after receiving a student number |
High-demand undergraduate programmes, such as those in nursing or engineering-related fields, sometimes reach capacity or close earlier than the general 9 October deadline. Applicants interested in these programmes should not wait until close to the general closing date, since a specific qualification can stop accepting applications before the standard window ends.
Who Should Apply During the 2027 Undergraduate Window
The 2027 undergraduate application period is relevant to several categories of prospective students, not only school leavers. It applies to:
- Students currently completing Grade 12 who want to begin undergraduate study at Unisa in 2027.
- Students who have already completed matric in a previous year and have not yet enrolled at a university.
- Current Unisa students who want to change their registered qualification to a different undergraduate programme.
- Applicants who previously applied to Unisa but were not successfully registered, and who want to reapply for the 2027 intake.
A student who is unsure whether their situation falls into one of these categories should still apply within the window rather than waiting, since missing the application period generally means waiting for the next annual cycle.
How the Undergraduate Application Process Works
Applying to Unisa for undergraduate study in 2027 follows a structured sequence, and understanding each step in advance reduces the chance of running into avoidable delays.
- Review the Open Distance eLearning (ODeL) model. Before applying, a prospective student should confirm that distance learning suits their study preferences, since Unisa’s teaching format differs significantly from a residential, contact-based university.
- Select up to two or three qualifications. Applicants choose their preferred undergraduate qualifications in order of preference, allowing Unisa to consider alternative options if the first choice is not available or the applicant does not meet its specific requirements.
- Submit the online application. The application is completed entirely online through Unisa’s official admission system, with no physical or paper-based submission accepted.
- Receive a student number. Once the application is submitted, the applicant is issued a student number, which is required for paying the application fee and for tracking the application status afterward.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee. The fee applies to the full application cycle regardless of how many qualifications the applicant selected within that cycle.
- Upload supporting documents. Certified copies of required documents, such as matric results or an equivalent qualification, need to be uploaded within a set number of days after submission, generally around ten days.
- Track the application status. Applicants use their student number to monitor progress through the admission decision process after all documents have been submitted.
Submitting an application within the window does not guarantee admission. Each undergraduate qualification carries its own minimum entry requirements, and admission is assessed against those requirements individually.
Entry Requirements to Check Before Applying
Undergraduate admission at Unisa is generally assessed using an Admission Point Score (APS), and the minimum score required differs depending on the type of qualification. Higher Certificates generally require a lower APS, typically in the range of 15 to 18. Diploma qualifications usually require an APS in the range of 20 to 22. Bachelor’s degree qualifications generally require an APS of 23 or higher, though this varies by specific programme and faculty.
Because APS requirements and other entry conditions are set individually per qualification, a prospective applicant should confirm the exact requirement for their intended undergraduate programme before applying, rather than relying on a general APS range. Meeting the minimum APS for a qualification category does not automatically guarantee acceptance into a specific, high-demand programme within that category.
Why Applying Early Matters
Unisa processes a very large volume of undergraduate applications during each annual cycle, and applying close to the 9 October closing date increases the risk of running into avoidable problems. Common issues that arise from late submission include missing or incorrectly certified documents, payment processing delays, and insufficient time to correct an error in the application before the window closes. Applying early in the cycle, ideally soon after the 17 August opening date, gives an applicant more time to resolve any of these issues without risking missing the deadline entirely.
Early application is particularly important for programmes known to reach capacity before the general closing date. Since Unisa does not guarantee that every qualification will remain open for applications until 9 October, a prospective student targeting a competitive or high-demand programme benefits most from submitting as soon as the application portal opens.
Documents and Preparation Before the Portal Opens
Prospective undergraduate applicants can prepare in advance of the 17 August opening date by organising the documents typically required for a Unisa application. This generally includes a certified copy of a South African identity document or passport, certified matric results or an equivalent senior certificate, and any additional documents specific to the chosen qualification, such as portfolios for particular creative or specialised programmes. Having these documents ready before the application period opens allows a prospective student to submit promptly once the portal becomes available, rather than losing time gathering documentation after the cycle has already started.
FAQs
When does the Unisa 2027 undergraduate application period open?
17 August 2026, and it remains open until 9 October 2026 for undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate diploma applications.
Can I apply to Unisa for 2027 if I haven’t finished matric yet?
Yes. Students still completing Grade 12 can apply during this window, though final admission still depends on meeting the required APS once results are confirmed.
Does Unisa accept late applications after 9 October 2026?
Generally, no. Applicants who miss the window need to wait for the next annual application cycle, so submitting well before the deadline is strongly advised.
Do all undergraduate qualifications remain open until the closing date?
Not necessarily. High-demand programmes can close before 9 October if they reach capacity earlier, which is why applying soon after the opening date is recommended for competitive qualifications.