Purpose statement
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours BA graduates with systematic knowledge, specialized skills and theoretical competence focusing on or within a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level. A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts. A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to perform independently as intellectual leaders in their society.
| Qualification code: | 98655 |
| NQF level: | 8 |
| Total credits: | 120 |
| SAQA ID: | 101060 |
| APS/AS: | 60 |
| Maximum time to complete this qualification: | 3 years |
Please note:
An appropriate NQF 7 qualification from an accredited provider of higher education with a minimum of 60% for the major(s),
or
applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 23 years old; grade 12; and have at least 10 years' relevant work experience (of which 3 years should be at management level) in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to a qualification. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl applicants may submit an appeal on the application portal at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Apply-for-admission-to-study:-application-tool and will be required to provide a motivation for special admission.
The motivation must incorporate the following:
* academic motivation offering evidence of your ability to study a postgraduate qualification,
* work experience relevant to the qualification and courses completed since graduating with a Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma.
These appeals will only be considered if the enrolment target of the qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.
Pay the application fee of R150 once you've received your student number.
Please note:
Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.
Apply for admission to honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.
Please note:
Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2026 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register