Key Takeaways: The Mega-University
- The Structure: UNISA is divided into 8 Colleges (Faculties). You don’t just “apply to UNISA”; you apply to a specific College.
- The Levels: Courses range from Higher Certificates (1 year, easy entry) to Diplomas (3 years, vocational), Bachelor Degrees (3-4 years, academic), and Postgraduate qualifications.
- The “Bridge”: If you don’t meet the requirements for a Degree, you can start with a Higher Certificate in the same college to bridge the gap.
- Short Courses: UNISA also offers hundreds of “Short Learning Programmes” (SLPs) which are 3–6 months long. These are for skills updates, not formal degrees.
- Mode of Delivery: Almost all courses are Open Distance Learning (ODL). You study from home, submit assignments online, and write exams at a centre near you (or online).
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest university on the African continent. Because it is so massive, finding the right course can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
UNISA does not have a single “list” of courses; it has thousands of modules split across different faculties. To choose the right one, you first need to identify which College fits your career path.
Here is the definitive guide to the available courses at UNISA, categorized by field of study.
1. College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS)
This is the largest college at UNISA. If you want to enter the corporate world, banking, or government finance, this is your home.
Popular Degrees (BCom)
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences: The compulsory degree if you want to become a Chartered Accountant (CA).
- Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management: For aspiring financial managers and planners.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain and Operations Management.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
Popular Diplomas (Vocational)
- Diploma in Administrative Management.
- Diploma in Safety Management: Extremely popular for those working in mines or factories.
- Diploma in Tourism Management.
- Diploma in Local Government Finance.
Higher Certificates (The Bridge)
- Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences: The standard entry point if your Matric maths mark was too low for a BCom.
- Higher Certificate in Banking.
2. College of Education (CEDU)
UNISA trains more than 50% of South Africa’s teachers. These qualifications are designed for students who want to register with SACE.
Teaching Degrees (BEd)
- Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase): Teaching Grades R – 3.
- Bachelor of Education (Intermediate Phase): Teaching Grades 4 – 6.
- Bachelor of Education (Senior & FET Phase): Teaching Grades 7 – 12.
- Note: You must choose specific school subjects (e.g., Mathematics, History, Accounting) to specialize in.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Who is this for? Students who already have a non-teaching degree (like a BA or BCom) but want to become teachers.
- Duration: 1 Year.
Diploma
- Diploma in Grade R Teaching: Specifically for Grade R practitioners who do not want to teach higher grades.
3. College of Law (CLAW)
UNISA’s Law faculty is famous for producing many of the country’s judges and advocates.
Degrees
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB): The 4-year degree required to become a Lawyer or Advocate.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Law: A business degree with a heavy legal focus.
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.
Diplomas & Certificates
- Diploma in Law: For paralegals and court officials.
- Diploma in Corrections Management: For those working in prisons/correctional services.
- Diploma in Policing: The standard qualification for SAPS officers looking for promotion.
- Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice: A bridge course for the Diploma in Policing or Law.
4. College of Human Sciences (CHS)
This college covers the arts, social services, and humanities. It is ideal for creative thinkers and those who want to work with people.
Degrees
- Bachelor of Social Work: A professional 4-year degree required to register as a Social Worker.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): You can major in subjects like Psychology, History, Politics, or Languages.
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science.
- Bachelor of Arts in Community Development.
- Bachelor of Information Science: For librarians and archivists.
Diplomas
- Diploma in Public Relations.
- Diploma in Youth Development.
5. College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET)
This is the “hard skills” faculty. Note that engineering at UNISA often requires practicals, so it is not 100% distance learning in the traditional sense.
Computing (IT)
- Bachelor of Science in Computing.
- Bachelor of Science in Informatics.
- Diploma in Information Technology: Streams include Software Development and Communication Networks.
Engineering (Diplomas & Degrees)
UNISA offers the Diploma in Engineering (replacing the old National Diploma) and the Bachelor of Engineering Technology.
- Civil Engineering.
- Chemical Engineering.
- Electrical Engineering.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Industrial Engineering.
- Mining Engineering.
Science
- Bachelor of Science (General): You can major in Chemistry, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or Statistics.
6. College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Degrees
- Bachelor of Consumer Science: Focused on food, nutrition, and hospitality management.
- Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences: Majors in Biology, Physiology, or Zoology.
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science.
Diplomas
- Diploma in Nature Conservation: Very popular for game rangers and park managers.
- Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture.
- Diploma in Agricultural Management.
7. Short Learning Programmes (SLPs)
These are not formal degrees. They are short courses (3 to 6 months) designed to update your skills. They are managed by the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL).
- Popular SLPs:
- Course in Introduction to Java Programming.
- Course in Basics of Project Management.
- Short Course in Victim Empowerment.
- Programme in Safety Management.
- Course in Taxation.
Warning: You cannot use an SLP to apply for a formal degree later. They carry no “credits” towards a qualification.
8. Admission Requirements: How to Get In
UNISA has strict admission criteria based on your Admission Point Score (APS).
For a Higher Certificate (APS 15)
- Requirement: A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the language of teaching.
- Purpose: This is your entry ticket if you failed to get a Bachelor’s Pass. If you pass your Higher Certificate, you can apply for a Degree.
For a Diploma (APS 18+)
- Requirement: An NSC with a Diploma endorsement and at least 50% in the language of teaching.
- Specifics: Engineering diplomas require Maths and Physical Science, not just the APS.
For a Bachelor Degree (APS 20 – 28+)
- Requirement: An NSC with a Bachelor’s endorsement.
- Maths Rule: Degrees in Science, Engineering, and Commerce (Accounting) generally require Pure Mathematics. Degrees in Law and Humanities often accept Math Literacy.
Summary: How to Choose
Don’t just pick a course because it sounds fancy. Follow this hierarchy:
- Check your Maths: If you have Math Lit, you generally cannot do a BSc or BCom Accounting. Look at the College of Human Sciences or Law instead.
- Check your APS: If your APS is 17, do not apply for a Degree (APS 21). Apply for the Higher Certificate in that field. It adds one year to your journey but guarantees access.
- Check the Closing Dates: UNISA usually opens applications once a year (Aug-Oct) for the following academic year.
Action Plan:
Visit the UNISA website (www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications) and download the specific brochure for your chosen college. The brochure will list the exact modules you will study each year.
Disclaimer: Course availability and admission requirements are subject to change by the UNISA Senate. Always consult the official university prospectus.