Key Takeaways: The 2026 UNISA Schedule
- Status: Registration is NOW OPEN (Opened 07 January 2026).
- Semester 1 Deadline: Closes 20 February 2026 (Strict).
- Year Module Deadline: Closes 20 March 2026.
- The “MOOC” Trap: First-time students cannot register until they complete the free UOL009 “First-Year Experience” online course.
- Payment: You must pay the “Minimum Initial Payment” by the closing date, or your registration will be cancelled.
- Mode: 100% Online. No campus walk-ins.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest university on the continent, with over 300,000 students. Because of its massive size, it operates like a giant, slow-moving machine. Deadlines are automated, and if you miss the cut-off by one minute, the system locks you out until July.
For 2026, UNISA has introduced stricter protocols for first-year students (the mandatory MOOC) and has tightened the payment windows. Whether you are a new student confusing “Application” with “Registration,” or a returning student trying to add a module, this guide is your survival manual.
We break down the confirmed 2026 dates, the full course catalog by college, and the step-by-step process to finalizing your spot.
1. Confirmed Registration Dates 2026
Important Distinction:
- Semester Modules: Courses you finish in 6 months (Exam in May/June).
- Year Modules: Courses that take 12 months (Exam in October/November).
You must know which one your modules are, because they have different deadlines.
Undergraduate Qualifications (Higher Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees)
| Module Type | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Final Payment Date |
| Semester 1 Modules | 07 January 2026 | 20 February 2026 | 20 February 2026 |
| Year Modules | 07 January 2026 | 20 March 2026 | 20 March 2026 |
- Warning: Do not wait until 20 March if you have Semester 1 modules. The system will block you from adding them after 20 Feb.
Honours Degrees & Postgraduate Diplomas
| Module Type | Registration Opens | Registration Closes | Final Payment Date |
| Semester 1 Modules | 07 January 2026 | 20 February 2026 | 20 February 2026 |
| Year Modules | 07 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
Master’s & Doctoral Degrees
- General M&D: 07 January – 31 March 2026.
- Exceptions (MBA, MBL, MCompt): Closes earlier on 21 February 2026.
2. The “First-Year Experience” (MOOC) Rule
If you are a brand new student (accepted for 2026), you might find that the registration portal is blocked.
Why?
UNISA has made the First-Year Experience (FYE) MOOC compulsory. You cannot accept your offer or register until you complete it.
- What is it? A free online course (Code: UOL009-FYE101_2026) that teaches you how to use myUnisa and submit assignments.
- How to do it: Go to the MOOC portal (mooc.unisa.ac.za), create an account, and complete the modules.
- The Delay: It can take 48 hours for the system to recognize you have finished the MOOC. Do not leave this for the last day of registration!
3. UNISA Course List 2026 (By College)
UNISA offers thousands of modules. Below is a curated list of the most popular qualifications open for 2026 registration, categorized by their respective Colleges.
College of Accounting Sciences (CAS)
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences: The bridge for students who want to become CAs but have low marks.
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting: The flagship CA(SA) stream.
- Diploma in Accounting Sciences.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Sciences (CTA): Essential for Board Exams.
College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in:
- Business Management.
- Financial Management.
- Human Resource Management.
- Marketing Management.
- Supply Chain & Operations Management.
- Transport & Logistics (Very popular for Transnet/Port jobs).
- Diploma in Public Administration and Management: The standard qualification for government employees.
- Diploma in Tourism Management.
College of Education (CEDU)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd):
- Foundation Phase (Grade R-3).
- Intermediate Phase (Grade 4-6).
- Senior Phase & FET (High School).
- Higher Certificate in Education (Foundation Phase/Intermediate Phase): For students who do not qualify for the BEd directly.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): For graduates who want to become teachers.
College of Law (CLAW)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB): The standard 4-year law degree.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Law.
- Diploma in Law.
- Diploma in Policing: Highly sought after by SAPS members for promotion.
- Diploma in Corrections Management: For Correctional Services staff.
College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in:
- Computing / Information Systems.
- Mathematics / Statistics.
- Chemistry / Physics.
- Diploma in Information Technology (IT):
- Stream: Applications Development (Coding).
- Stream: Communication Networks.
- Diploma in Engineering (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / Industrial): Note that these require practicals.
College of Human Sciences (CHS)
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in:
- Psychology (The first step to becoming a Psychologist).
- Criminology.
- Creative Writing.
- Political Leadership & Citizenship.
- Bachelor of Social Work: (Requires strict practical placement).
- Higher Certificate in Archives & Records Management.
4. How to Register: The Step-by-Step Wizard
UNISA does not use a “shopping cart” system like online stores. It uses a specific logic flow.
Step 1: Login to myUnisa
- Go to www.unisa.ac.za and click “Register to Study.”
- Select your qualification level (e.g., Undergraduate).
- Click “Go” and enter your Student Number.
Step 2: Update Personal Details
- Crucial: Check your Cellphone Number and Courier Address.
- UNISA delivers textbooks and tablets via courier. If your address is “Village X, Near the Big Tree,” the courier will fail. Try to use a work address or a Pargo pickup point if you live in a rural area.
Step 3: Select Modules
- This is where students mess up.
- Code: Ensure you type the correct code (e.g., FAC1502).
- Semester:
- Select “1” for Semester 1 (Jan-June).
- Select “2” for Semester 2 (July-Nov).
- Select “0” for Year Module (Jan-Nov).
- Tip: Do not register for Semester 2 modules now if you cannot afford the registration fee. You can register for Semester 2 in June/July. However, registering for both now locks in the price.
Step 4: Calculate Fees
- The system will show you a “Pro Forma Quote.”
- Look for the line: “Minimum Amount Payable.”
- You do not have to pay the full year’s fees today. You only need to pay the Minimum Initial Payment (usually approx. R2,000 – R5,000 depending on the number of modules) to finalize registration.
Step 5: Submit and Pay
- Click “Submit Registration.”
- Pay immediately. Use the online credit card facility if possible, as it clears instantly. EFTs can take 48 hours, and if you pay on the closing date via EFT, you might miss the deadline.
5. The Payment Rules (Don’t Get Deregistered)
UNISA has a strict “Pay or Go” policy.
- Initial Payment: Must be paid by 20 February (for Semester 1). If you submit the registration but don’t pay, your registration is deleted.
- NSFAS Students:
- If your NSFAS status is “Funded” on the NSFAS portal, you do not need to pay the initial fee. UNISA will automatically finalize your registration (this often takes a few weeks).
- Warning: If you register and NSFAS later rejects you, you become liable for the fees.
- Payment Reference: Always use your Student Number followed by a space and the numbers 54 (e.g.,
12345678 54) for tuition fees.
6. Common Registration Errors & Fixes
Error: “Qualification Weight Exceeded”
- Meaning: You have selected too many modules.
- Fix: UNISA limits first-year students to 8 modules per year (4 per semester). Remove a module.
Error: “Pre-Requisite Missing”
- Meaning: You are trying to register for “Accounting 2” without passing “Accounting 1.”
- Fix: Remove the advanced module. You must pass the lower level first.
Error: “Temporarily Registered”
- Meaning: You submitted the form, but haven’t paid (or the payment hasn’t cleared).
- Fix: Pay the minimum amount. If you have paid, wait 48 hours.
Conclusion: The Early Bird Gets the Textbooks
At UNISA, time is your enemy. The later you register, the later you get your study materials, and the less time you have to complete Assignment 1 (which is often due in March).
Action Plan:
- Complete the FYE MOOC today.
- Log in and select your modules by 10 February.
- Pay the deposit immediately.
Do not be the student sending emails on 20 February asking for an extension. There are no extensions.
Disclaimer: Dates are subject to change by the UNISA Senate. Always verify on the official Unisa website.